So, Brexit wins, who’d have thought it possible? My wife and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on the day the news of the Brexit decision from the 52% unfolded. Being part of the 48% we were plunged into a state of shock and impending gloom that still affects. So not particularly conducive to celebrating our milestone. However, no matter how things are, freedom is provided through cycling.

Thankfully, I had been proactive in booking ahead of time into a guesthouse to celebrate our anniversary. Established in 1926 this guest house comprises three rooms above Bike Zone on St. Michael’s Street in the heart of Oxford. Bike Zone is situated in a historic building dating from the 1400’s and was originally part of the old Oxford defence wall, so the rooms proffer exposed beams and wall that has been around for some time! However, this is coupled with beautiful, cutting edge facilities, great bathroom, kitchen and wi-fi facilities done well.

Outside, bike racks were in abundance. Hence, we were able to book in, settle down and not worry about our bikes as they were outside our bedroom window. To be in the city centre and not have to worry about our bikes was great.

As former Londoners, now living out in the sticks, it was a joyous to hear the hubbub of a group of cyclists from the Bike Zone readying themselves for their tour that day. It was ironic that it felt like being on mainland Europe, in lieu of the vote the day before.

Due to the guesthouse’s central location, it was simply a case of walking downstairs and out the door to pick up our bikes and whizz down the road to the Story Museum for a spot of lunch. The kitchen there is run by chef Sophie Grigson, where a myriad of activities including children’s cookery classes are held. This café backs onto a yard that is shared with The Broken Spoke Bike Co-op, a DIY (do-it-yourself) bicycle workshop that teaches people of all ages and backgrounds how to ride and repair bicycles, and who are helping reinforce a culture of cycling in Oxfordshire. At Broken Spoke, you can learn to service your own bicycle for a small fee, using their tools and expertise to inform you, it’s brilliant! I’ve spent a few days there, but thought that perhaps this wouldn’t be the most romantic end to our celebration.

Thus, onto the bikes again and off to the Town Hall for the uber-romantic Oxford Science Festival. There was nothing particularly cycling based to report from the venue alas, but I did learn how to write whilst looking through a mirror and learnt a bit about quantum computing! We then hopped onto the train, without booking bikes on, and the whole of our journey was a nice illustration of how we can do things without cars, and in fact, in a city environment it is much easier to hop about without concern for driving in traffic and parking etc in the city centre. All good, as one might say.