How does Jordan team boss relax and get away from it all? Well, apart from hitting the drums, F1’s most charismatic owner swaps four wheels for two and hits the cycle track. We asked him about his love of cycling.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO CYCLING?
I used to cycle to school from about the age of 10. It was by far the easiest form of transport and it was quite cool to have a dropped handlebars bike, with a fixed cog. The ride to school was about 3 miles and I used to come back for lunch in the middle of the day. I used to try and beat the 1.15 pm bus - I would get in behind it and keep up with it all the way and over take it if I could.

WHERE AND WHEN DO YOU CYCLE NOW?
Now my cycling is completely different. It is pure and absolute enjoyment. I cycle with various people, often with Marie. There are great places to cycle in Oxford which his where I live, either on the canals or on the river. I like to cycle to Banbury, which is about a 28 mile trip there and back. You certainly know you've done that many miles as it is tough, particularly on the path ways on the canal as some parts are really quite bumpy. Your bum is quite raw by the end! There are also some lovely cycle paths around Oxford and with Oxford being a student town there are good cycle paths and routes. The council has lots of special bike routes. I also cycle in Spain, through the mountains at the back of southern Spain where on the one side you have all the glitter of Marbella and a couple of miles at the back is the mountain range where you are in total an absolute solitude. It is a lovely way to spend a day. It is cooler up in the mountains but you need to take a water bag as a bottle is not enough. I leave early in the morning and cycle all day often with Marie.

IS CYCLING PART OF A FITNESS REGIME YOU KEEP?
Cycling is very cardiovascular and is very good for fitness. I cycle more now because it is kinder to my knees - I used to jog a lot but my knees aren't so good any more. It is probably not as good as swimming but I enjoy it more. I think about other things when I cycle - I do a lot of scheming or come up with ideas.

WHAT BIKE DO YOU HAVE?
I have a carbon fibre bike made with the help of technology from Oakley. It has straight cut gears with very light suspension front and rear - all carbon fibre. It is quite a specialised bike. Needless to say it is painted in Jordan yellow. I bring it to the races sometimes. I cycle in Spa for example. I have another bike in Spain and two bikes on my boat.

HAVE YOU COMPLETED ANY MEMORABLE RIDES?
Yes! The Red Sea to Dead Sea cycle for CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Children) was a really hard experience. Looking back, I should not have done it after flying back from Australia after the first Grand Prix as that was a stressful time when you have started the race season. It was very demanding. I couldn't believe the heat. But it was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone as it was an excellent way of meeting a whole new different group of people. If you want an activity holiday I couldn't recommend that more strongly. You sleep in the open on little bits of cardboard around a camp fire but you are so exhausted you fall straight to sleep. I would do it again, but would prefer to try other rides, like the Great China Wall for example.