In May 1948 Barlow traveled to England and then to France where he competed in the Grand Prix des Nations, an individual time trial over , the Esperazza Grand Prix and the Nantes Grand Prix. In Barlow's words, "I got the pants towelled off me in the Grand Prix Des Nations, but went much better in the other two races." Barlow travelled to Valkenburg, the Netherlands for the UCI Road World Championships however he was hit by another rider whilst training over the course and was forced to withdraw. Barlow was reported to have entered the 1949 Paris–Roubaix, however it is unclear if he started the race. In any event he did not finish.