On my bike: Jo Burt, cartoonist and cycling journalist

Why do you cycle?

Being outside, escape, quiet, transport, pretending to stay young, cake at the end.

How far do you ride each week?

Depends on the weather and deadlines but I try to get out for a ‘proper’ ride at least every other day. I don’t keep a record of my mileage.

Which of your bikes is your favourite?

The one I’m on at the time. Although if I had to choose just one, it would have to be the gravel bike for its ‘let’s go down here’ adaptability.

What do you always take with you when cycling?

All the tools to get home, an extra layer, money, a sense of fun and my front door keys.

Who mends your punctures?

Me. Although, as I’m tubeless on all my bikes, I haven’t had a puncture in ages.

It’s raining: bike, public transport or car?

I don’t own a car so unless I can cadge a lift from someone, public transport.

Lycra or normal clothes?

Bike for transport – normal clothes. Bike for escape – Lycra.

If you had £100 to spend on cycling, what would you get?

The nicest thing anyone got me when I was churning out a lot of miles in preparation for a long ride [Jo took part in the Transcontinental Race] was £100 of Sainsbury’s gift vouchers to spend on food. So either that or a flight to the Pyrenees.

What’s your favourite cycle journey?

The one straight from my house, wiggling up to the top of the South Downs.

What single thing would most improve matters for UK cyclists?

Having ridden in countries where cyclists aren’t treated as a nuisance that needs to be driven off the road, I’d say the answer isn’t the oft-touted infrastructure but attitude.