Mercian - King of Mercia - Touring Geometry 653 - update Page: 6

[Jamiedyer]

Had a lovely ride out of the King of Mercia on Sunday with Brian on his Cube. We did the loop out from Beauly down Glen Affric to Cannick for lunch and then returned on the singletrack road on the other side of the river. Great way to spend the afternoon.
We had nice weather for it as it was fairly clear, warm and with little wind, which made a change from the last week or so.
The King of Mercia ran perfect whether it was climbing or just rolling along, it is so comfortable and stable. I did have one little incident early on when we were on a run downhill after a decent climb my chain jammed between the big and middle ring, which is unusual as this thing normally shifts really fine and I just put it down to me crossed the chain a bit much and a one off. I realised it was jammed and I was doing a fair speed at this point but managed to just cruise of the other side of the road into a driveway opening. Fixed it within a minute and was back on my way. Bike was superb the rest of the ride and didn't think of it again.
I drove home and got the bike out the van the following afternoon after work as I got back up north quite late after the ride only to find the sound that I thought was my multitool jingling in the Carradice was in fact my chainrings all loose. All three rings were tinking away as I had lost one bolt completely off the big/middle ring and all small ring bolts were loose. Lost a spacer as well! Never felt a thing and shifted its usual slick way so can only assume it was at the end. Very lucky as it could have caused a crash easily enough, let alone an injury. Anyway it's stripped now and new bolts all round ordered and most likely fit new rings while I am at it as the ones on it are getting a bit worn.

Jamie

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

 

[Jamiedyer]

Wow! I didn't realise it's been so long since I posted one the rides on the King Of Mercia!
I have been riding it, honest, just not posting clearly
It has seen a fair few commutes and local rides when I have a couple of hours to spare, longer rides away tend to have been on the Jack Taylors this year, or my Long Haul trucker for my few and far between Audax rides.
So yesterday was glorious up here after a foggy start and I had to go to one of the local markets for lunch and then head to town to get a couple of electrical sockets for the house, I checked the tyres on the trusty KOM and headed out into the summery afternoon.
It may have been a while since I had ridden the KOM but it only took a few peddle strokes to feel right back at home and realise what a joy this bike is. It fits like a glove, handles anything and everything with such calmness and poise that it's hard not to relax and enjoy it.
I stopped at the market and had lunch before heading into town, picking up the sockets before deciding on a coastal ride home. This consisted of a small bit of path and then some singletrack path with a bit of farm track before the last part on the main road. All of it handle with ease and a few stops for a couple of photographs, before realising the time and having to race home as we were going out. Time flies when you are having fun.

Jamie

by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

Untitled by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr