Posted on 08/20/2005 7:33:50 PM PDT by kromike
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President George W. Bush, an avid mountain biker, got a chance to test his mettle against cycling superstar Lance Armstrong on Saturday.
The seven-time Tour de France champion joined the president for a two-hour, 17-mile trek through the canyons and river-crossings of Bush's 1,600-acre Texas ranch.
Armstrong, a fellow Texan and Bush friend who nonetheless disagrees with the president on the Iraq war, called it a "dream scenario" to cycle with the president.
While many Americans wonder what attracts Bush to the Prairie Chapel ranch, where is he spending the month of August, Armstrong said he thought the biking opportunities were a big draw.
"He rides his mountain bike fanatically," Armstrong said in a recent interview with ABC's This Week. "It might be the mountain bike trails he has there."
Armstrong, 33, called Bush "one competitive dude," but said in the ABC interview he had no doubt he could outpace Bush, even though trails can be challenging for road cyclists unaccustomed to rough, rocky terrain.
"He's a good rider," Bush was said to have remarked about Armstrong after the ride, which featured only one 10-minute break to admire a waterfall on the property.
White House spokesman Trent Duffy said Armstrong was careful to respect "the first rule of biking," a hint that he did not overtake the president.
Duffy said he did not know whether Bush discussed politics with Armstrong, who has spoken out against the war in Iraq. Armstrong has said he believes the money could be better spent on other things, such as fighting cancer.
Armstrong, a cancer survivor who at one time was given a less than 50-50 chance of beating the disease, sits on the president's panel on cancer research and heads a nonprofit cancer foundation.
Armstrong and the Secret Service agents and staff members who rode with Bush were presented T-shirts that said "Tour de Crawford" and "Peloton One" -- a reference to the French word for group -- as well as a pair of riding socks with the presidential seal.
Bush, 59, took up mountain biking after a knee injury forced him to give up jogging a couple of years ago. But he has taken a few well-publicized spills, including one in Scotland last month when he collided with a police officer.
The president was described by his doctors in his annual physical as being in "superior" condition for a man his age.
He takes pride in his six-day-a-week workout regimen and last week he showcased the statistics on his heart rate monitor for a group of reporters who rode with him. The monitor showed he burned 1,493 calories in a two-hour ride, also 17 miles.
Bush says exercise helps sharpen his thinking.
But some of his critics view his exercise obsession as an indulgence that takes time away from other priorities.
Among them is Cindy Sheehan, the Vacaville, California, mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, who until late last week was camped out down the road from Bush's ranch seeking a meeting with him to discuss her opposition to the war.
Sheehan, who left her vigil on Thursday to tend to her sick mother, has said she believes Bush should take fewer bike rides to have more time to focus on the "the nation's work."
Did Lance bring his skank to the ranch?
Can you tell me why this article mentions Armstrongs view on Iraq twice and brings in Cindy Sheehan?
So now every time someone meets Bush for a photo-op, the AP is gonna note their view on the Iraq War?
Can you say "Media bias"?
I knew you could...
SS would have a fit!
Hilarious, they actually ended the story with Cindy Sheehan's views in opposition to Bush's exercise. Even though she's not even there anymore. That was really relevant to the story.
Who is his "skank?"
Sheehan, who left her vigil on Thursday to tend to her sick mother, has said she believes Bush should take fewer bike rides to have more time to focus on the "the nation's work."
How about Clinton? If he had spent less time with his pants off and got rid of Bin Ladin when he had chances, her son would have been alive today.
Oh good grief! Cindy is now a source on his exercise regimen!
That's it. If any doubt remained, let it no longer. Send the white jackets.
Sheryl Crow
My mountain bike is disassembled yet nearby in my apartment, and believe me, I stop riding after the few miles when my privates feel like they have been novacained.
Sheryl, you certainly aren't the answer.
Why is it that socialist women are repulsive?
My view is that a sick mind shows in the eyes and face.
I despise Reuters with all I got. Remember, this is the news organization that refuses to call terrorists what they are and that is terrorists. And that is after some of there own employees got killed by these devils!!!!
I suppose the President might have a traditional Texas BBQ or two before he goes back to Washington for some of his friends and other big wigs. I bet they will ask Cindy if she objects to the menu while she's eating take our or cold cuts in the ditch. Don't put it past these clowns!
My thoughts EXACTLY.
Interesting, I don't remember 'critics' complaining that Bill Clinton was too busy playing golf to take care of the 'priorities of office". I guess they were so glad he WASN'T paying attention, they didn't want to give him any reason to cut his games short. ;o)
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