~o~
8.20 64F/18C. Warm and solid sunshine with no wind. Back from a walk to the lanes. Two large brown birds of prey were preening on a field two over. Despite the distance they were nervous and moved another field away. Where they settled on the stubble to preen again. The traffic was light. Probably a result of the national holidays. I rode 40km yesterday only to find the only bike shop was closed. Then I had to ride back again.
Chump cultists, Dumber and Dumbest, are wearing ear dressings. In sympathy with their Martyr and Saviour. They can thank their gods He didn't lose a bløødy leg! History will recall that a piss poor shot didn't change history. Or, that an expert shot hit the intended target but was extremely careful to avoid injury. The alleged sniper was then sacrificed to avoid unanswered questions. Leaving even more questions unanswered. Like: Why a large square dressing? When a finger plaster would do.
Today would have been a much better day, than yesterday, for a ride. As I am still suffering from saddle soreness I am in no real shape to ride into the village. A drive? Whence?
10.30 Well that was interesting. I swapped the vinyl over to the well worn, tied B17 from the trike. A few tours along the rough gravel drive produced an odd result. The B17 wasn't offending any of the delicate bits from yesterday. They still hurt when I sit on layers of cushions at the computer. Which may well prove [or not] that friction is/was my real enemy.
I gave the B17 a coat of Proofide inside and out. Too early to suggest it has had any effect. The leather flexes but is as hard as any other Brooks. It certainly felt hard when ridden. Much more so than the vinyl or the B67.
I have run out of coffee. Which means a minimum 20km round trip to buy more. I shall give the B17 a try. Just to see where it hurts. Then consider refitting the B67 again. For reference, Moustache fit the Brooks C17 as standard. A saddle which I find so hard that it can't be taken seriously. A remake of the naked, plastic, Unica Nitor. On which I suffered horribly as a teenager. Back in the 1960s!
12.00 73F/23C. Home again after 20.2km. There is no doubt that the B17 relies entirely on supporting the sit bones. There is no sense of cushioning. Nor of friction. That said I was not in real pain. More, local discomfort at the pressure points. I was wearing normal clothing. Boxers and thin trousers. I raised the saddle slightly, tried tipping it nose up slightly and shuffled about. I think a longer ride would be required to gain any benefit.
The red tape is centered on my sit bones.
Any flexure of the leather is going to be strictly limited. Because my sit bones are almost resting on the curved metal frame. The pressed steel bit through which the rivets fit. So, by my fuzzy logic, the advice is completely wrong. Or, I need a wider saddle to enjoy any benefit from flexure of the leather. B67 anybody?
Because of the shape of most saddles, the widest part is not always the most comfortable. Most saddles are curved across their backs. So, most riders will be perched further forwards and the sit bones completely unsupported. The saddle will usually be trying to push their sit bones apart. The rider's weight will be resting on the fleshy part of their crutch. However, a wider saddle risks increased friction. Soft bits of the rider's flesh may be folded and squashed. Between the saddle and the pelvic bones. None of this makes much sense! Yet a vast, global industry produces billions of saddles. Most of which are uncomfortable beyond a short trip!
Nobody seems to have noticed that they mostly have an under-tray. Which will limit to potential benefits of ventilation. But, would keep the water from the naked tires spraying up from below. They are mostly aimed at the naive Weekend Warrior. Most of whom carry excess kilos on their bods and in their wallets. Yet will pay thousands to save a few grams on the bike.
Dinner was chicken, eggs and chips. Washed down with my last tin of organic beer.
~o~
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