I wanted to install the new saddle and seatpost before today’s ride. I set the bits out on the table last night, and then got started this morning before 8, when it was just 6C in the Workshop in the Sky.

Replacing the saddle and seatpost was straightforward. Of course I weighed the old and new bits to compare. The new saddle is less than half the weight of the one it’s replacing! For the saddle and seatpost together I saved 326g. That should easily offset the 5kg I’ve gained in the past year.

With the maintenance out of the way, I changed into my cycling clothes, stashed the onigiri in the bag and was on my way at 8:46.

The saddle took a moment’s getting used to. It’s not quite as soft as I’d expected, but it’s softer than the Brooks C15. The cutout alleviates — but does not eliminate — pressure on the soft nether bits. Soon I was comfortable with it and stopped noticing it for the most part.

I was undoubtedly helped by a tailwind down the river as I notched up a 5km time of 11:39, for 25.7km/h. I stopped for a brief rest and an onigiri 11km from the end. The with just a handful of kilometers remaining, I climbed a small rise to a flood gate and found some police and safety people standing in the path, flagging down the passing cyclists. I gave the enthusiastic safety woman about 20 seconds to make her spiel about following traffic laws and slowing down, told her I had no pockets for the proffered literature, and continued on my speedy way.

I reached Shinsuna before 11 and sat down to watch the cormorants diving for fish as I finished my onigiri. With my belly satisfied I turned back into the wind for the ride upstream to the bridge, from which I crossed the river and made my way to Disneyland.

I was still making good time, and figured I’d be back across the river by noon. I stopped then at a convenience store to get some Pokari and a couple of snacks. I checked the time again and thought I might be home by 2, but it was too early to inform Nana.

It was not yet 1 o’clock when I arrived at Budokan. After taking a couple of snaps and drinking some Pokari, I messaged Nana I would be home about 2. When I checked Garmie I saw I had a chance to complete the ride in under 5 hours elapsed time. I wanted to make that goal, but of course I had to mind traffic. At Shinjuku Bus Terminal I entered a crossing just as the light turned yellow, and was suddenly cut off by a taxi trying to overtake me and turn left. I could have opened the taxi door without stretching my arm out! And the driver realized after the strafing run that he hadn’t overtaken me before the crossing. I turned and snarled at him as I passed.

Deep breaths, I reminded myself as I continued homewards. You’ve come 70km today, so don’t have an accident just 2km from home. I made it home without further incident and stopped the clock at 4:44:51 total elapsed time. I messaged Nana I was home and parked Kuroko in the garage.

On moving time of 3:29:22, I averaged 20.9km/h. With the help of the tailwind, I set a couple of second place times on the Arakawa.

In the last hour of riding, I started feeling the saddle pressing against my bum. I made the effort at stop lights to put both feet down and stand up for a break. The question is how the saddle will feel on a longer ride, say 8 to 10 hours, and how it will feel on a multi-day ride. It all remains to be seen. As for today, I was wearing my winter tights and the padding is not quite as thick as in my usual shorts.