The New Saddle - A Quick Review

 

In yesterday's blog post I told of purchasing a new bicycle saddle online and swapping out the saddle that had come with my bike. The old saddle was less than comfortable and I had read a number of good things about the Vertu Spyder saddle and wanted to give it a try.

I had already had my morning ride when the saddle arrived yesterday. I promised to put on the new saddle for my ride today and subsequently review the saddle.

A few of my friends who had seen the photos of the saddle were skeptical. There's no padding on the saddle and most found the idea that it could be comfortable counterintuitive.

I went out early this morning for 8.6 km (5.3 miles) run.

The saddle is definitely more comfortable than my previous saddle. I can't put a number on how much better it feels, or an explanation why it should feel better. I suppose the shape and contours of the Spyder saddle have something to do with it.

In all fairness, it's difficult to assess the saddle until I've ridden on it for at least a week. I can say that after this one ride, I am pleased with the saddle.

New Bicycle Saddle

No matter how positive an action or activity might be, there is always lurking nearby, a negative. In the case of cycling the positives are many - cycling increases stamina, strength and aerobic fitness. Cycling can improve both physical and mental health, and can reduce the chances of experiencing many health problems.

On the negative side, the most common problem I hear about is the discomfort one can experience in the seat. Your own seat....the butt, your bottom, however you wish to put it.

Judging from the ads I come across on social media platforms, the problem is pretty wide spread (if you'll pardon the expression).

I've come across ads for more comfortable bike saddles, bicycle shock absorbers and padded shorts and padded underwear.

 

The idea of purchasing padded underwear is tempting, but unfortunately most of the bicycle clothing available for delivery in this area is for smaller persons than yours truly. I haven't had a 33 inch waist in quite a long time and I'm unlikely to drop down to that any time soon.

So, for me the obvious choice is a new saddle. One of the more popular saddles advertised is the Vertu Spyder saddle. Several companies advertising on Facebook have that particular saddle for sale.

 

Of the companies selling the Vertu Spyder saddle online, I picked the one with the best price. COD, 899 PHP. The saddle arrived this afternoon - about a week after I ordered it, which isn't bad for Philippines during the pandemic.

I removed my old saddle and had the new one on in minutes. I've already ridden today, so I'll get my first test ride with the new saddle tomorrow morning. I'll be reviewing the ride soon afterwards.

 

Dog Food Run - Alternate Route

I've written before about making the occasional bicycle ride to Sibulan to purchase dry dog food. Of course, it isn't something I do every day, but once or twice a week is a regular routine.

As I wrote in an earlier blog post, taking the most direct route to the Gentle Paws Pet Store is 2.8 kilometers (one way) for a total ride of 5.6 kilometers. This is slightly less than my usual minimum of 7 kilometers morning run. So, this morning, I decided to take the 2.8K ride to the pet store, but take an alternate route on the return.

This alternate return route takes me past Simms Store and then on thru Tubtubon. This route is 4.4 kilometers, making the total morning ride today 7.2 kilometers. That's certainly more in line with my goal. Add to this the additional 2 kilos in my backpack and this a nice challenge.

The September Reading List

I'm posting the September reading list a bit late. No excuses. I suppose I could blame my tardiness on The Squid Game , but I could have managed to fit this post in with a little effort.

At any rate, the number of books read in September was below my normal average. I'm getting near the end of Agatha Christie novels and I'm just a wee bit burned out. When I've finished reading the novel I'm currently reading ( Postern of Fate ) I will have read the last novel she wrote - although I have three more to read which were written earlier but published afterward.....one not being published until 2014.

There are still a number of short story collections which I haven't read, though those may be put off until much later. There are also a number of works written by Christie under the nom de plume Mary Westmacott. I've only managed to find one of the Mary Westmacott novels available as a free e-book. That will probably be put off until later as well.

Here is the list of the 10 books I read in the month of September.

The Clocks
A Caribbean Mystery
At Bertram's Hotel
Third Girl
Endless Night
By the Pricking of My Thumbs
Hallowe'en Party
Passenger to Frankfurt
Nemesis
Elephants Can Remember