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a Half hour in hell

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a Half hour in hell

Old 01-09-04, 02:20 PM
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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
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Old 01-09-04, 02:30 PM
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That's one of the funniest accounts of riding a Brooks for the first time I have ever read. Still laughing out loud.
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Old 01-09-04, 02:32 PM
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Thanks for the laugh, Lotek.

Keep riding that thing. I understand that in about 500 miles, it will break you in.
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Old 01-09-04, 02:45 PM
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That was hilarious lotek!!
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Old 01-09-04, 03:05 PM
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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...

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

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Old 01-09-04, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by lotek
which after an initial 10 mile ride I took to HHH
and rode on.
And "HHH" means what?

Rich
 
Old 01-09-04, 08:21 PM
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So why exactly did you get this saddle?
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Old 01-09-04, 09:30 PM
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HHH is the Hotter than Hell Hundred. Century ride in
Wichita Falls Texas in August.

Because I like pain?

Marty
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Old 01-10-04, 12:36 AM
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I figured that you just wanted to walk like a cowboy livin' in Texas and all.
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Old 01-10-04, 02:22 AM
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there is a reason some traditions die...
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Old 01-10-04, 02:27 AM
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Originally Posted by RegularGuy

I understand that in about 500 miles, it will break you in.
It would break you in??
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Old 01-10-04, 01:54 PM
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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.
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Old 01-10-04, 03:38 PM
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aaaaah thanks for the laugh
great story
now I'm wondering why you changed off that b-17???
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