I got a Brooks Champion Flyer (sprung B17) last week for my fixie. I was sort of dreading breaking it in. So I proofided it well and rode it up and down the driveway for 20 minutes a day while my daughter played in the yard to get a head start. I went for a 15 mile ride Saturday and all was well for the first 12 miles or so, then just a little uncomfortable until the end. I could see ass marks beginning so I thought I'd be good for my usual Sunday 30 miler. Took me about 16 miles before I started to get sore. I spent the rest of the ride standing about every 10 minutes and squirming around quite a bit. The seat really has ass marks on it now. Kinda hurt when I sat down on a hard chair for dinner but I'm not so bad right now. I don't think this whole breaking in process is going to be as bad as some would have me believe. I'm sure the springs help a bit too.
The saddle just looks so right on my bike.

brooks are the best, go to a bike shop, ask or order some brooks leatherdressing, i take the seat off and let heat up in sun and apply dressing let stay in sun and let soak in,oh just apply under seat

Did I get that last one right? You are only supposed to apply the goop on the underside of Brooks seats?

Please please clarify. Have a new one to break in now.

Thanks for the good post. Didn't think of that one myself.

just under seat, the texture is rougher under the seat it should soak better, than on top of seat where it is smooth

You put proofhide on both sides. Rub it in well, and leave it overnight.
Proofing the underside is optional, but useful to protect it fron water spray.

On the top, there is a danger of getting your clothes a bit contaminated, so you need to rub it in well before you ride.

I limitted myself to 5 mile rides for a few weeks (just going to work and back), until the saddle gained some shape.
Dont use too much proofhide, and dont use anything else. I found that one application was enough for the whole breakin period.