A CORNERSTONE of the motorcycling fraternity has served his last customer after more than 30 years behind the counter.

BVM Moto’s Bob Miles turned 65 on Saturday, December 5, and on Friday he could afford to look forward to spending more time pursuing golf, bowls, local history - and or course, motorcycle trials.

His interest in the sport from the early 1960s brought him in to contact with shop owner Mark Kemp, and since then he has been an integral part of BVM’s journey from Slad Road to London Road.

The shop is one of the country’s leading trials bike and parts dealerships.

Legions of customers regard Bob as part of the furniture at BVM and he joined so long ago that even he cannot remember exactly when he started work there.

“It’s more than 30 years, I know that much,” said Bob, who worked with Cotswold Woodland and Regent Motors in Cheltenham (where the Regent Arcade now stands) before starting work at BVM.

He rode his first trial in 1961, and bitten by the friendly sport, he made a natural progression to BVM.

His elder brother John, 67, and John Hayward helped Mark found the shop in Slad Road in 1974, and over the years it has dealt in Ossa, Fantic, KTM, Cossack, Ducati, Moto-Guzzi, Harley-Davidson and BMW bikes, as well as the current major trials marques.

BVM is known for its spare parts sales too, over the counter and the ‘phone, and Bob simply regards himself as part of the team which keeps customers happy all over the world.

“It’s the customers as much as anything that make the job,” he said. “Like all jobs it is diverse within its boundaries and every customer is different.

“The good thing about this sport is that whoever people are, there are no barriers or boundaries, nor class distinctions.

“You are not really judged on your riding ability either, it’s just a big band of brothers.

“All the people here are very good too, we get on well.”

He is keen to carry on trials riding at least until 2011 and so chalk up a half century in the sport, as well as working on his handicap at Minchinhampton Old Course, bowling for The Cobblers and The Strugglers, spending time away with his wife Gill in their camper, and mugging up on more local history.

“I like living in Stroud and there’s all sorts of places tucked away with a story to tell,” said Bob, whose brother has not quite left the BVM fold. John still comes in on Saturdays and stands in as shop manager.

“He was the shop manager when he worked here full-time,” said Bob. “And now he’s been promoted to Saturday boy.”

Mark said Bob will be missed.

“He’s a legend,” he said. “He has been with us almost since the shop started and he is a fountain of knowledge who is hard to replace.

“We will miss him but we are happy for him and we hope he enjoys his retirement with his wife.”