User:Nwbrowne

Neil Browne became enthralled by all things cycling at the tender age of 5. While sitting on his father's knee, Neil heard cycling stories that were a delightful blend of truth and fantasy. Thomas Browne, Neil's father, is from County Cork, Ireland and an ex-professional racer who had come out of post World War II England and was looking to ply his cycling ability in Belgium. The lack of ability coupled with the abundance of blarney made Thomas Browne not a threat in competition, but more of a challenge at the post-race parties. Blessed with an extraordinary ability to consume and hold down massive quantities of alcohol, Thomas was able to destroy the competition. The elder Browne loves to recount the story of going shot to shot with an aging Coppi. These stories were orally passed down to Neil and had a huge impact on his life. Neil's mother, Sylvia Hyatt, was born in Birmingham, England. Her family background is one steeped in military mediocrity. Her grandfather reached the rank of corporal during World War I and the following day