Aug 19, 10:39 PM EDT
Armstrong Prepares for Ride With Bush
By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- It's not clear whether Lance Armstrong will have to
abide by the standard rules for biking with President Bush when the two famously
competitive Texans take their first ride together Saturday. The first rule:
Don't pass the president.
"Do not force the president too hard," Bush instructed a handful of journalists
who rode with him last weekend. "Be kind."
Armstrong, the seven-time winner of the Tour de France, has been generous in his
praise of Bush's biking skills - to a point. He says there's no way the
president will be able to take him.
Bush has become an avid biker in the last few years since a bum knee forced him
to give up his running routine. But Armstrong is the sport's undisputed master
after beating the world's best year after year.
Not to mention that Armstrong is 25 years younger than Bush, with a resting
heart rate of 32-34 beats per minute, compared to the president's 47.
Still, Armstrong told ABC's "This Week" last Sunday that he hears the president
is "one competitive dude."
"There's no talking" on rides with Bush, Armstrong said he's heard from friends
who've ridden with Bush.
If Bush and Armstrong do find time to chat, they have a lot in common to discuss
since each has become increasingly more interested in the other's career. While
Bush has taken up biking, Armstrong says he would like to get more involved in
politics.
He recently said he might even consider running for Bush's old job as Texas
governor. But, he coyly told ABC, "It's more or less a joke."
---
On the Net:
The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov
Lance Armstrong: http://www.lancearmstrong.com
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BUSH_ARMSTRONG?SITE=OHCIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT