For months last year, while I was building them up, there would hardly a day went past without me doing some work on one or another of my bikes. Once I had both of them on the road and running the way I wanted, there was nothing to do to them apart from washing them down after a wet day out, oiling the chain and ensuring everything was tightened up. Even the last one is needed less and less as all the components settle down.

So what I find myself doing is wondering what I can change next. Mostly, I come up with ideas which are purely for the sake of looks over function. Like swapping out my cambium saddle which was blue for an orange one which fitted in with the colour scheme. So now I’m considering changing the saddle on my ALICE, touring bike. The brown leather brooks is comfortable having had some time to get broken in. But, I’ve seen another Brooks saddle, in green, which will go nicely with the colour of the rest of the bike. It’s a really rare piece so there’s a good chance I won’t get it. Even if I don’t get the one I want, maybe I’ll change it anyway. A black one would fit in to the colour scheme better than the brown!

UPDATE: The green saddle went for three times what I was willing to pay for it (£320). It really is a rare example. So I’ve bought a black one with titanium rails and copper rivets. They often sell for £160 or over so I reckon I got a bargain at less than £120.