Hitting the trail with nation's cyclist in chief

St. Petersburg Times ^ | August 14, 2005 | By BILL ADAIR

[notes2005]

CRAWFORD, Texas - Standing on the driveway outside his home, President Bush explains the rules for people who go mountain biking with him.

It will be a vigorous workout. It is not a race. And no one, the president says with a smile, is allowed to pass him.

"This is a chance," he says, "for me to show you a little slice of heaven."

The president's clothes show his favorite sport can be dangerous. His mountain biking shorts have holes on the front from last month's high-speed wipeout on a slick road in Scotland.

For two hours Saturday, Bush leads his guests on a 17-mile ride through the canyons and woods of his 1,600-acre ranch. By the time he coasts back up his driveway, he'll be a little bloody and a lot muddy.

He loves it, a hot Texas morning and an exhausting ride. Life doesn't get much better.

[notes2005]

Some cool pics

[Peach]

Those journalists who try to keep up with the president are going to get a good workout.

[Cosmo]

Pretty cool riding gear he's got on.

[Mister Baredog]

Those journalists who try to keep up with the president are going to get a good workout.

Good Lord, you think he takes journalists along?

I sincerely hope not, I thought they were all busy promoting their "Cindy" thing.

[Peach]

I think they do try to accompany him whenever possible. And I think he'd love to see 'em sweat. LOL

[deport]

He has Lance Armstrong on the docket for next weekend.

Bush plans bike ride with Armstrong at ranch ^

[Theresawithanh]

Good article, and great pictures! Go President Bush!

It sounds like his ranch is really quite an awesome place, too.

[Peach]

Excellent about Lance Armstrong. Recruit the guy...

[dennisw]

A welcome contrast to that Pillsbury Doughboy Bill Clinton.

[deport]

A chat from the bike .. Another story of the ride with the Press contingent

[deport]

A welcome contrast to that Pillsbury Doughboy Bill Clinton.

---

McDonald's always seemed to get in the way.

[GSlob]

"Good Lord, you think he takes journalists along? "
Of course, he does. Haven't you got to the place in the article which stated that he got them into various potholes on the road? Hopefully, they tumbled in at high speed. That's the strategery for you!

[Miss Marple]

Thanks for the ping! I enjoyed both articles, but found this exchange in the interview you linked particularly funny:

Q: Do you have now in your possession, or have you ever had a pair of form fitting lycra shorts?

Bush: No, I have not, and probably won't have them. (Laughter.) I mean, there are certain things that age brings with it, and not wearing the form fitting lycra short is one of them, if you know what I mean. (Laughter.)

[Cosmo]

" Do not force the President too hard. Be kind." LOL!

[deport]

I thought the following was funny also

USA Today writer Sal Ruibal stops at a tree and urinates. Bush tells him, "Ruibal, don't worry. The last one that peed there was a cow."

[cmsgop]

Thats the most Heavily Armed Bike Team in the World...

[DUMBGRUNT]

The stats, according to his heart monitor: average rate 139, maximum 177.

WOMEN: 226-your age = age-adjusted Max HR
MEN: 220-your age = age-adjusted Max HR

These formulas apply only to adults. The generally accepted error in age-predicted formulas is + - 10-15 beats per minute, which is due to different inherited characteristics and exercise training.

Looks like he can run them up the hills 'til they drop!

[n-tres-ted]

Thanks. Nice stories and pictures.

[spyderbarque]

what a poser!!!

[MarkeyD]

Rumor is he is going to be here in Idaho next week and that he is going mountain bike riding. It's a good place for that.