Commuting - Brooks saddle maiden voyage

ordered and mounted a Brooks B-17 Champion saddle on my bike and took it out for a spin today (80 miles). I've researched the saddle and it was better then my OEM saddle. This time of year in the Pacific northwest, weather cannot be counted on. Today proved this in a big way. There was sun when I started out, but was followed by torrential downpours, then some sun, etc. (you get the picture). Anyway, I followed all the prescriptive advice about applying the Proofride stuff, and remember reading the threads about not exposing the saddles to "rain". But nowhere did anyone explain what happens when you get these things wet. Maybe its academic, but I'd like to hear some folks' experiences. Please advise.
Thanks,
MikeB

ordered and mounted a Brooks B-17 Champion saddle on my bike and took it out for a spin today (80 miles). I've researched the saddle and it was better then my OEM saddle. This time of year in the Pacific northwest, weather cannot be counted on. Today proved this in a big way. There was sun when I started out, but was followed by torrential downpours, then some sun, etc. (you get the picture). Anyway, I followed all the prescriptive advice about applying the Proofride stuff, and remember reading the threads about not exposing the saddles to "rain". But nowhere did anyone explain what happens when you get these things wet. Maybe its academic, but I'd like to hear some folks' experiences. Please advise.
Thanks,
MikeB

when you get your brooks saddle wet, just let it air-dry naturally before you ride it again. and, if you want it to last forever, consider using the saddle-cover (the one made for the B-17) over a plastic bag when you're riding in the rain. and, if course, if you're riding with fenders, it will get a lot less wet.

you should also try to avoid riding it for longer periods of time if it gets soaked, since it's more likely to deform. i had this happen to me once a few years ago, but didn't have too much trouble because i let it dry for a couple of days before riding it again. only had to tighten up the tension just slightly to get it back to its original shape.

having said all that, leather's tough and will last forever if treated half-way decently. i've got a B-17 on my townie that i've been riding for 15 years. every time i build a new bike, i buy a new brooks saddle (unless the bike is replacing an old one); just ordered a B-17 for the current roadie project and a B-67 (the sprung version of the B-17) for the new cruiser. i doubt i'll ever ride anything else.

80 miles is a bit far for a first ride. It takes while to bed down into your shape, and a while longer to really conform. I was sliding over the top of my B17 for a week, but with lots of small rides, the problem solved itself.
I always keep a couple of plastic bags under the saddle, and use one when I park. If im riding in waterproofs (heavy rain) , I will probably put a bag over the saddle.

I keep a latex swim cap rolled up tiny in my tool kit ... it wraps around the saddle nicely for an unexpected downpour. It isn't the most comfy to ride on (kinda sticky), but it packs tiny and is great for parking the bike.

I keep the ever present Wal-Mart sack compressed between my rails for just such a down poor! If you have a Wal-Mart in your neck of the woods, you can bet there is one of these blowing down the street some where. It amazes me that I fine these things in my yard and don't know where they come from!

If you have a Wal-Mart in your neck of the woods, you can bet there is one of these blowing down the street some where. It amazes me that I fine these things in my yard and don't know where they come from!

If it says "Walmart" on the bag, I have a good guess :D

Sorry I couldn't resist.

I believe it is far more important to keep the BOTTOM/inside of a tensioned leather saddle dry. A good set of mudguards can greatly help in this regard.

Yes,
fenders are a very good thing to go with a Brooks saddle. Part of
creating that whole British 'civilised' approach to cycling. Ta.