Nice write up! Was 20 seconds in and thought 'I recognise that village'. Used to live round those parts. Some great roads just east of oxford around bladon and witney, brize Norton, abingdon. 4 minutes in you went through cassington which has a bike night every year. The village gets over run with bikes. Its a great event and worth a visit. This year it's on April 30th I think.

http://www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org/...night-p1022111