a Half hour in hell
 

(apologies to Jørgen Leth)

In a fit of e-buy mania I bid on and won a 1979 Brooks Pro saddle (NOS).
After judiciously applying multiple applications of Proofide (both top
and bottom of saddle) and about a day of resting to allow the proofide
to work its way into the fibres, I removed my cherished B17 from the
Serotta and clamped down the Pro.
After spending a good 10 minutes admiring the saddle (those big hammered
brass rivets look great), I donned a pair of old shorts and threw the bike
up on the rollers.
minutes 1 thru 5 - Hey this isn't too bad, can't slide around much have
to polish off more proofide. Its a bit stiff but bearable.
minutes 6 thru 11 - uhm, when did I develop those nerves under my
sit bones? Damn there isn't much room to slide around on this thing. . .
geez I wish I could stand for a bit while on these rollers. . .
minutes 12 thru 17 - wow, thats painful, what do they make these
things out of anyway? feels like theres a 2x4 under me. . . ok, move around
a bit, there thats better
minutes 18 thru 23 - cripes this thing is hard. . . "honey, did you turn
the 2x4 on its side?" ok, just slide forward a bit. . .yikes back up, back up. . .
get off of that your not supposed to sit on them. . .maybe if I move my legs
around a bit that will help, ok change position get down in the drops. . .thats
better
minutes 24 thru 30 ohmigodohmigodomigod thats tender. . .I don't recall
being kicked by that horse. . .my sit bones are, well, sore (gonna have a great
day at work, yeah right) ok, just a few minutes more. . .there its almost over
rush of relief as I gingerly lift my bruised and battered butt off the saddle,
hmmn, may need more proofide and a bit more break in.

now I ask you, are we having fun yet?

epilogue - day 2 not nearly as bad, 24 hours of proofide seemed to have helped.
quite a change from the B17, which after an initial 10 mile ride I took to HHH
and rode on.

Marty

That's one of the funniest accounts of riding a Brooks for the first time I have ever read. Still laughing out loud.

:D

Thanks for the laugh, Lotek.

Keep riding that thing. I understand that in about 500 miles, it will break you in.

That was hilarious lotek!!

Ya know, some of us used to race on stuff like that.....try 100 miles, racing, on a leather beauty. Wearing wool shorts, with a REAL chamois you could practically read the paper through...

kids, today....just a bunch of softies... :D

so...is this new saddle going into a personal "hall of fame"?

;)

And "HHH" means what?

Rich

So why exactly did you get this saddle?

HHH is the Hotter than Hell Hundred. Century ride in
Wichita Falls Texas in August.

Because I like pain?

Marty

I figured that you just wanted to walk like a cowboy livin' in Texas and all.

there is a reason some traditions die...

It would break you in??

Last year, my main saddle was a Brooks Pro. I was (is) a bit hard, but over all I thought it was ok. Recently I bought a B-17. With less than 30 miles on it I already find it more comfortable than the Pro.

aaaaah thanks for the laugh
great story
now I'm wondering why you changed off that b-17???