Re the Mercian: I'd love to have this bike and would ask you to consider the plight of my budgie, Joey, who loves to alight on the handlebars of my Dawes Karakoum. He has been with me since I was a child and used, back in the day, to sit proudly atop my Raleigh Chopper (No euphemisms, please) whistling in tune with my Woolworth's bell...ah, happy memories. Alas, Joey is not long for this world and I would like him to go out in style, astride a Mercian. So, you see, it's not for me, this iconic cycle; it's for Joey, because he's worth it. (sob)