Mice Log Star Date 112. @30daysofbiking Day 22. 12 miles, 10.7 mph average
speed, 17.8 mph max in 1h10.
The importance of being
comfortable on a bicycle can be the difference between a long bike ride and a short
one! The Brompton is normally used for
pootles so up until now I have stuck with the saddle that it came with.
Things have taken on a bit of a
change as I am now in a team taking part in the 2013 Brompton World Championships at
Goodwood Park in August (which is
probably the grandest sentence I have ever written and will ever write in my
life!!)
As a chap on You Tube said at 0.44 secs or so from 2011 BWC "it's the only time I'll ever be able to buy my way in to the front of the grid at a World Championship"!!
Having being measured, a couple of years ago, for my
road bike, I now know that we all have "sit bones" which are the part of you
that are supposed to take your weight on the saddle. If the saddle is too narrow, the sit bones
aren't supported properly. Brooks saddles seem mighty popular
so off to Velorution in Great Portland Street to investigate.
The Brooks range is varied -
some saddles have springs, some don't, some are unisex, some aren't, some are
wider and longer than others. And they all come in a range of colours.
As the Brompton already has
suspension there was no requirement for further springs. For me the Women's B17s Imperial was
perfect.
I was warned that, as with new leather shoes,
the saddle will need to be worn in.
So far so good - I can't
believe the difference in having my sit bones supported properly. The next thing to worry about is rain - as
with all leather goods I need to protect it so will buy some leather protector
tomorrow.
The only downside is that
because it is not made Brompton specific - it is quite uncomfortable to carry
the Brompton and hurts my hand!! I shall
look out for recommendations as to how to improve this and in the meantime will
wear gloves!
The Brommie does look rather
cool tho'!
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