~o~
Tuesday 25th 57F/14C. Bright. A sunny day peaking at 23C/73F as more summery weather arrives at last.
Up at 5.45 after waking an hour earlier. My sleep patterns are disrupted by daytime naps. If I didn't nap I'd repeatedly fall asleep at the computer.
I keep on, keeping on, with and about the Brooks B67 saddle. It is strange. It has reshaped itself, been laced, waxed and tensioned. Yet still it hurts. It seems to pinch my nether regions. It should be soft enough now to match my skeleton but still isn't remotely comfortable. I am no longer wearing my usual, padded racing shorts. Just thin trousers and pants. The shorts didn't seem to help.
Why do I continue to suffer when so many bikes sport cheap, padded vinyl saddles? A glance at the huge bike racks in Odense city showed a very high acceptance of padded vinyl. Regardless of bike design or the rider's posture. Thanks to the swept back handlebars I am now almost perfectly upright. So most of my [limited] weight is on the saddle. I am not overweight. A wide, padded vinyl saddle might be in my stars but choosing one would be a complete lottery.
The Contec "Exclusive" touring saddle was far more comfortable from fading memory. The thick leather was solidly joined underneath. No lacing required. Had the frame not broken I would be riding it still. I found it impossible to obtain a replacement for the broken frame. Nobody stocked spares. I was shuttled around between the many Odense bike shops without any success. Contec Head office in Germany would not help. The supposed, Danish dealers listed on their website did not stock them. So I was not even given the option to buy another.
15.00 75F/24C! Bright sunshine. I have been very silly and made myself quite breathless. Pulling out rosebay willowherb stems. Most of them were taller than me and didn't want to let go! I was sick of the sight of them blocking the view of the desirable flowers.
Dinner was boiled potatoes with fish fingers and peas.
~o~
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