WITH the coming of the joyous spring weather, any frantic Noah’s Ark type construction can be put on hold and more enjoyable pursuits can begin.

I expect all Oxford cyclists are itching to get out on some longer rides into the wonderful countryside – that’s exactly what I’m aching to do.

Whether you’ve joined a club, ride with your buddy or even ride on your own, I expect you have some favourite pit stop for fuel or to meet up.

I have a new favourite and I cannot believe it has taken me three years since their opening to get along and experience its pleasures.

You may already know it, it is Zappi’s cycling cafe in St Michael’s Street. It’s above Bike Zone, so easy to spot.

What I want before a ride is some hard- hitting coffee to get my mind and body working, something substantial to eat but not a full English and definitely more than a croissant. Okay check, Zappi’s has all that.

But what if I’m Lycra clad, making my every step sound like I’m in a tap dance troupe, do I want to walk into a little oldie tea shop, full of poor old dears enjoying the peace and quiet?

No, I want to meet some like-minded people for whom Lycra is a daily uniform, and I want to get pumped for my ride learning new routes from the wisdom of a fellow cyclist and not receive lectures on the dangers of cycling instead. Now I am no coffee expert but I know what I like, or I think I do.

I am set in my ways and believe we should know where our food and drink is coming from and how it got there.

You can be sure the bean that is about to enter your body and provide the extra revolutions of your weary legs has been chosen with the upmost respect for not only the producers but the environment. Instead of a mass-produced, transported from far, ill-tasting cuppa you will get a locally sourced, roasted to perfection, made with care and artistic flair cup of the finest coffee in town. Oh and you tea drinkers, they sell Jeeves and Jericho tea – an ethical brand with even an infusion made in homage to our great city.

I gotta say I love the place. I knew Zappi’s cafe when it was located in my local haunt of Jericho many moons ago and although the great pro cyclist Flavio Zappi is no longer involved in the running, with his attentions firmly devoted to his pro cycling team, his vision for a cycling cafe has been enhanced by new owners Dan Williams and Dan Roiser.

The great man couldn’t have done it better himself. It may just be the friendliest place in town, perfect when waiting to meet your cycling buddies. You can even buy your absent pals a coffee for their next visit, there is a chalk board to keep a tab.Genius.Check out their website for more details at http://zappisbikecafe.co.uk