JAMES BOWTHORPE CYCLED AROUND THE WORLD ON A BROOKS

South Londoner James Bowthorpe cycled around the world last year. He completed the 18,000 mile ride across 20 countries in less than six months, beating the world record by 20 days. He also raised a sizeable amount of money for What’s Driving Parkinson’s, a research clinic at King’s College Hospital in London in the process.

Obviously, cycling over 100 miles a day for half a year requires a quality saddle so it was no surprise to read this in The Financial Times (Weekend of 19/20th September 2009):

'I'm sitting on a Brooks saddle that I have had for about 10 years. If you have time to wear one in and are prepared to do a minimum of upkeep (rubbing in a spot of dubbin every now and then) they're unbeatable.'

Image from the fantastic website of Mr. Jim Langley (although we do advise readers to turn the volume down when visiting).

BROOKS - 'THE BEST OF EVERYTHING'

We highly recommend this short documentary on the manufacture of Brooks saddles. Founded in 1866 in Smethwick, Birmingham, the company embodies everything that we are looking for in the subjects of M&I.

Having registered their first patent in 1882, the product remains nearly identical today - the B17 saddle was first produced in 1898 and is still available 111 years later.

Eric Murray, an expert chamferer at the factory, believes the manufacturing process will remain, 'I presume it will always be the same, it's the way it goes.'

Thank you to Anothersomething for bringing this video to our attention.