Vladimiro
Meeting up for an aperitif with Vladimiro is one of my favorite things to do. We have a lot in common. In fact, this diary should have started on Day Zero because everything began exactly a year ago. I was searching for information about Guzzi’s Idroconvert, one of the few historic motorcycles with an automatic gearbox, when I stumbled upon Anima Guzzista, a site dedicated to Guzzi enthusiasts. They also have a Facebook profile, and that’s where it all started.
I shared my story and sought advice on both the possibility of a sidecar and the Convert. In less than half an hour, I received almost 40 responses, one of which was from Vladimiro Corbari, the president of the Association. He suggested that we could have a phone conversation if I was interested and left me his number. I decided to give him a call, and to my surprise, I discovered that we had a lot in common.
Vladimiro has a close friend, a year older than me, who experienced the same accident at the same age with similar outcomes. At thirty, both of us had to reconstruct our lives with a monoplegia in the left arm. Vladimiro, however, didn’t give up and went above and beyond to help his friend get back on the saddle against all odds. He truly has a heart as big as they come. But the coincidences don’t end there. I learned that we both worked in the same sector – the field of advertising communication. I was a copywriter, and he was an art director. While I continued to climb the ranks ultimately becoming a creative director, Vladimiro immersed himself in the world of Guzzi and currently works at a dealership in Mandello, dedicating all his technical expertise to it.
At this point, I couldn’t contain my excitement and suggested that we meet for a drink. Vladimiro agreed and even offered to pick me up, bringing along a spare helmet. “Fantastic,” I thought. So, two Guzzi enthusiasts raced down the Casilina towards Pigneto. It was over two Campari spritzes that Contromano, this diary, began to take shape.
Today, Vladimiro and I met again. I shared my project with him and asked if he would mentor me and, when the time comes, assist me in finding a Guzzi that suits me. Vladimiro is not only highly knowledgeable but also an exceptional person. And this is just the beginning, the first step.
I don’t know if I’ll reach the port I’ve decided to land at, and I’ll likely encounter storms and calms along the way, but casting off the moorings is already an achievement, and standing still won’t get me anywhere.
