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Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

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25 November 2006
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rms
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  1. Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    JOHN HEILPRIN
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President Bush
    bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into a devoted
    mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.

    Even with elections looming, the cyclist-in-chief made time earlier this
    month for his ritual mountain biking on weekends. He changed into biking
    clothes and muddied up his newest ultra-pricey mountain bike given him by a
    manufacturer, a $5,000 Cannondale with a custom red, white and blue paint
    job. The 2007 model was put in his hands even before it had been shipped to
    stores.

    Such a passion it is: he also went biking Thursday while spending the
    Thanksgiving holiday at his mountaintop retreat in Camp David, Md.

    "He's an avid rider, a fanatic," said Matt Mannelly, president of Bethel,
    Conn.-based Cannondale, who hadn't publicized but confirmed what he called
    an unsolicited gift to Bush a month ago. "We also made it very clear we
    wouldn't do anything to market this. To give it to someone like the
    president, who's actually going to use it a lot, means a lot to us."

    Bush already has two Trek mountain bikes, one worth $5,500, the other
    $2,700.

    The president likes super lightweight carbon frames, trail-absorbing shocks
    front and back, a light but supportive seat, top Japanese components and
    special paint jobs. But they are essentially stock bikes, similar to what
    ordinary buyers can get.

    The president's thoughts drifted to his newest bike on the campaign trail.
    Maybe it was a calorie-conscious moment at a local farmer's ice cream store
    in Pennsylvania, or the anticipation of busting his lungs on an expensive
    new machine over rocky ruts. Whatever the impulse, Bush said he'd gotten a
    new bike and was looking forward to riding it.

    Rolling around the dirt track at a Secret Service facility in suburban
    Beltsville, Md., Bush tried out the Cannondale but also brought along one of
    his "old" mountain bikes - a 2006 Trek painted up like Air Force One.

    The Trek has "United States of America" painted in white letters across the
    blue top tube, and a 2-inch presidential seal affixed to both sides of the
    head tube. Revolution Cycles, a local chain of stores, maintains the bike
    and owns an identical backup that it keeps ready for Bush.

    "It's kind of like the backup space shuttle," said Darrin Misiera, a manager
    of the stores.

    None of Bush's mountain bikes, in fact, is very old. His other Trek is a
    2005 model.

    The stores' president, Mike Hamannwright, fitted Bush with his Trek bikes
    and has ridden with him. Co-owner Santiago "Pinkey" Gonzalez doubles as the
    president's bike mechanic.

    The Trek bikes came courtesy of John Burke, president of Waterloo,
    Wis.-based Trek Bicycle Corp., who also chairs the President's Council on
    Physical Fitness and Sports.

    Bush reported the bikes on his financial disclosure forms the past two
    years. He also got a $1,700 indoor cycling trainer from Saris Cycling Group
    president Chris Fortune, two pairs of cycling shoes from Rob Teskey of Trek
    Nike Cycling Division, and three helmets, at least four pairs of riding
    gloves and other cycling equipment worth $532 from Burke.

    White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said the president "is in full
    compliance with federal laws governing the acceptance of gifts." Those laws
    say presidents and their spouses must list on financial disclosure forms any
    gifts from constituents worth $305 or more. Often the gifts wind up in
    presidential libraries.

    It was only three years ago that Bush took up cycling after a painful knee
    forced him to cut back on jogging. At 60, he is an exceptionally fit rider
    who likes to go hard, always at the head of a small pack of other riders.

    Most of his cycling is at Beltsville. But he also bikes occasionally at the
    Marine base at Quantico, Va., Camp David at Catoctin Mountain Park and at
    his ranch at Crawford, Texas. He also sneaks in rides during presidential
    trips.

    Misiera said he has turned down offers from collectors of up to $21,000 for
    his store's spare presidential bike.

    "We could probably get $25,000 for it on eBay," he said. "But of course we
    can't sell it. It has the seal of the President of the United States."

  2. rms said:

    Even with elections looming, the cyclist-in-chief made time earlier this
    month for his ritual mountain biking on weekends. He changed into biking
    clothes and muddied up his newest ultra-pricey mountain bike given him by a
    manufacturer, a $5,000 Cannondale with a custom red, white and blue paint
    job. The 2007 model was put in his hands even before it had been shipped to
    stores....

    If Trek and CDale (and the others) thought they were scoring any
    points with their ordinary customer base by bestowing such largesse, I
    think they were mistaken.

    --
    Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
    Some gardening required to reply via email.
    Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

  3. "Werehatrack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    rms said:

    Even with elections looming, the cyclist-in-chief made time earlier this
    month for his ritual mountain biking on weekends. He changed into biking
    clothes and muddied up his newest ultra-pricey mountain bike given him by
    a
    manufacturer, a $5,000 Cannondale with a custom red, white and blue paint
    job. The 2007 model was put in his hands even before it had been shipped
    to
    stores....

    If Trek and CDale (and the others) thought they were scoring any
    points with their ordinary customer base by bestowing such largesse, I
    think they were mistaken.

    Based on the activity on this list, they're certainly getting the publicity
    they wanted.

  4. rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    JOHN HEILPRIN
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President Bush
    bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into a devoted
    mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.

    Even with elections looming, the cyclist-in-chief made time earlier this
    month for his ritual mountain biking on weekends. He changed into biking
    clothes and muddied up his newest ultra-pricey mountain bike given him by a
    manufacturer, a $5,000 Cannondale with a custom red, white and blue paint
    job. The 2007 model was put in his hands even before it had been shipped to
    stores.

    Such a passion it is: he also went biking Thursday while spending the
    Thanksgiving holiday at his mountaintop retreat in Camp David, Md.

    "He's an avid rider, a fanatic," said Matt Mannelly, president of Bethel,
    Conn.-based Cannondale, who hadn't publicized but confirmed what he called
    an unsolicited gift to Bush a month ago. "We also made it very clear we
    wouldn't do anything to market this. To give it to someone like the
    president, who's actually going to use it a lot, means a lot to us."

    Bush already has two Trek mountain bikes, one worth $5,500, the other
    $2,700.

    The president likes super lightweight carbon frames, trail-absorbing shocks
    front and back, a light but supportive seat, top Japanese components and
    special paint jobs. But they are essentially stock bikes, similar to what
    ordinary buyers can get.

    The president's thoughts drifted to his newest bike on the campaign trail.
    Maybe it was a calorie-conscious moment at a local farmer's ice cream store
    in Pennsylvania, or the anticipation of busting his lungs on an expensive
    new machine over rocky ruts. Whatever the impulse, Bush said he'd gotten a
    new bike and was looking forward to riding it.

    Rolling around the dirt track at a Secret Service facility in suburban
    Beltsville, Md., Bush tried out the Cannondale but also brought along one of
    his "old" mountain bikes - a 2006 Trek painted up like Air Force One.

    The Trek has "United States of America" painted in white letters across the
    blue top tube, and a 2-inch presidential seal affixed to both sides of the
    head tube. Revolution Cycles, a local chain of stores, maintains the bike
    and owns an identical backup that it keeps ready for Bush.

    "It's kind of like the backup space shuttle," said Darrin Misiera, a manager
    of the stores.

    None of Bush's mountain bikes, in fact, is very old. His other Trek is a
    2005 model.

    The stores' president, Mike Hamannwright, fitted Bush with his Trek bikes
    and has ridden with him. Co-owner Santiago "Pinkey" Gonzalez doubles as the
    president's bike mechanic.

    The Trek bikes came courtesy of John Burke, president of Waterloo,
    Wis.-based Trek Bicycle Corp., who also chairs the President's Council on
    Physical Fitness and Sports.

    Bush reported the bikes on his financial disclosure forms the past two
    years. He also got a $1,700 indoor cycling trainer from Saris Cycling Group
    president Chris Fortune, two pairs of cycling shoes from Rob Teskey of Trek
    Nike Cycling Division, and three helmets, at least four pairs of riding
    gloves and other cycling equipment worth $532 from Burke.

    White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said the president "is in full
    compliance with federal laws governing the acceptance of gifts." Those laws
    say presidents and their spouses must list on financial disclosure forms any
    gifts from constituents worth $305 or more. Often the gifts wind up in
    presidential libraries.

    It was only three years ago that Bush took up cycling after a painful knee
    forced him to cut back on jogging. At 60, he is an exceptionally fit rider
    who likes to go hard, always at the head of a small pack of other riders.

    Most of his cycling is at Beltsville. But he also bikes occasionally at the
    Marine base at Quantico, Va., Camp David at Catoctin Mountain Park and at
    his ranch at Crawford, Texas. He also sneaks in rides during presidential
    trips.

    Misiera said he has turned down offers from collectors of up to $21,000 for
    his store's spare presidential bike.

    "We could probably get $25,000 for it on eBay," he said. "But of course we
    can't sell it. It has the seal of the President of the United States."


    I would have thought he would ride something more road bike like. I
    wonder how many guys his age are "avid" mountain bikers? Versus road bikers?

    Ken
    --
    The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets
    old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without
    shocking the entire community. ~Ann Strong

  5. rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    Does this mean bush uses Avid brakes on his ATB?

    The headline I want to see is "M*k* V*nd*m*n transforms into avid
    mountain biker". :-)

    --
    Tom Sherman - Post Free or Die!

  6. Ken C. M. said:
    rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    JOHN HEILPRIN
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President Bush
    bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into a devoted
    mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.

    Even with elections looming, the cyclist-in-chief made time earlier this
    month for his ritual mountain biking on weekends. He changed into biking
    clothes and muddied up his newest ultra-pricey mountain bike given him by a
    manufacturer, a $5,000 Cannondale with a custom red, white and blue paint
    job. The 2007 model was put in his hands even before it had been shipped to
    stores.

    Such a passion it is: he also went biking Thursday while spending the
    Thanksgiving holiday at his mountaintop retreat in Camp David, Md.

    "He's an avid rider, a fanatic," said Matt Mannelly, president of Bethel,
    Conn.-based Cannondale, who hadn't publicized but confirmed what he called
    an unsolicited gift to Bush a month ago. "We also made it very clear we
    wouldn't do anything to market this. To give it to someone like the
    president, who's actually going to use it a lot, means a lot to us."

    Bush already has two Trek mountain bikes, one worth $5,500, the other
    $2,700.

    The president likes super lightweight carbon frames, trail-absorbing shocks
    front and back, a light but supportive seat, top Japanese components and
    special paint jobs. But they are essentially stock bikes, similar to what
    ordinary buyers can get.

    The president's thoughts drifted to his newest bike on the campaign trail.
    Maybe it was a calorie-conscious moment at a local farmer's ice cream store
    in Pennsylvania, or the anticipation of busting his lungs on an expensive
    new machine over rocky ruts. Whatever the impulse, Bush said he'd gotten a
    new bike and was looking forward to riding it.

    Rolling around the dirt track at a Secret Service facility in suburban
    Beltsville, Md., Bush tried out the Cannondale but also brought along one of
    his "old" mountain bikes - a 2006 Trek painted up like Air Force One.

    The Trek has "United States of America" painted in white letters across the
    blue top tube, and a 2-inch presidential seal affixed to both sides of the
    head tube. Revolution Cycles, a local chain of stores, maintains the bike
    and owns an identical backup that it keeps ready for Bush.

    "It's kind of like the backup space shuttle," said Darrin Misiera, a manager
    of the stores.

    None of Bush's mountain bikes, in fact, is very old. His other Trek is a
    2005 model.

    The stores' president, Mike Hamannwright, fitted Bush with his Trek bikes
    and has ridden with him. Co-owner Santiago "Pinkey" Gonzalez doubles as the
    president's bike mechanic.

    The Trek bikes came courtesy of John Burke, president of Waterloo,
    Wis.-based Trek Bicycle Corp., who also chairs the President's Council on
    Physical Fitness and Sports.

    Bush reported the bikes on his financial disclosure forms the past two
    years. He also got a $1,700 indoor cycling trainer from Saris Cycling Group
    president Chris Fortune, two pairs of cycling shoes from Rob Teskey of Trek
    Nike Cycling Division, and three helmets, at least four pairs of riding
    gloves and other cycling equipment worth $532 from Burke.

    White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said the president "is in full
    compliance with federal laws governing the acceptance of gifts." Those laws
    say presidents and their spouses must list on financial disclosure forms any
    gifts from constituents worth $305 or more. Often the gifts wind up in
    presidential libraries.

    It was only three years ago that Bush took up cycling after a painful knee
    forced him to cut back on jogging. At 60, he is an exceptionally fit rider
    who likes to go hard, always at the head of a small pack of other riders.

    Most of his cycling is at Beltsville. But he also bikes occasionally at the
    Marine base at Quantico, Va., Camp David at Catoctin Mountain Park and at
    his ranch at Crawford, Texas. He also sneaks in rides during presidential
    trips.

    Misiera said he has turned down offers from collectors of up to $21,000 for
    his store's spare presidential bike.

    "We could probably get $25,000 for it on eBay," he said. "But of course we
    can't sell it. It has the seal of the President of the United States."


    I would have thought he would ride something more road bike like. I
    wonder how many guys his age are "avid" mountain bikers? Versus road bikers?

    It's easier to climb the piles of Iraqi corpses with a FS vs a hard
    tail or even a CX bike.

  7. landotter said:
    Ken C. M. said:
    rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    JOHN HEILPRIN
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President Bush
    bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into a devoted
    mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.

    Even with elections looming, the cyclist-in-chief made time earlier this
    month for his ritual mountain biking on weekends. He changed into biking
    clothes and muddied up his newest ultra-pricey mountain bike given him by a
    manufacturer, a $5,000 Cannondale with a custom red, white and blue paint
    job. The 2007 model was put in his hands even before it had been shipped to
    stores.

    Such a passion it is: he also went biking Thursday while spending the
    Thanksgiving holiday at his mountaintop retreat in Camp David, Md.

    "He's an avid rider, a fanatic," said Matt Mannelly, president of Bethel,
    Conn.-based Cannondale, who hadn't publicized but confirmed what he called
    an unsolicited gift to Bush a month ago. "We also made it very clear we
    wouldn't do anything to market this. To give it to someone like the
    president, who's actually going to use it a lot, means a lot to us."

    Bush already has two Trek mountain bikes, one worth $5,500, the other
    $2,700.

    The president likes super lightweight carbon frames, trail-absorbing shocks
    front and back, a light but supportive seat, top Japanese components and
    special paint jobs. But they are essentially stock bikes, similar to what
    ordinary buyers can get.

    The president's thoughts drifted to his newest bike on the campaign trail.
    Maybe it was a calorie-conscious moment at a local farmer's ice cream store
    in Pennsylvania, or the anticipation of busting his lungs on an expensive
    new machine over rocky ruts. Whatever the impulse, Bush said he'd gotten a
    new bike and was looking forward to riding it.

    Rolling around the dirt track at a Secret Service facility in suburban
    Beltsville, Md., Bush tried out the Cannondale but also brought along one of
    his "old" mountain bikes - a 2006 Trek painted up like Air Force One.

    The Trek has "United States of America" painted in white letters across the
    blue top tube, and a 2-inch presidential seal affixed to both sides of the
    head tube. Revolution Cycles, a local chain of stores, maintains the bike
    and owns an identical backup that it keeps ready for Bush.

    "It's kind of like the backup space shuttle," said Darrin Misiera, a manager
    of the stores.

    None of Bush's mountain bikes, in fact, is very old. His other Trek is a
    2005 model.

    The stores' president, Mike Hamannwright, fitted Bush with his Trek bikes
    and has ridden with him. Co-owner Santiago "Pinkey" Gonzalez doubles as the
    president's bike mechanic.

    The Trek bikes came courtesy of John Burke, president of Waterloo,
    Wis.-based Trek Bicycle Corp., who also chairs the President's Council on
    Physical Fitness and Sports.

    Bush reported the bikes on his financial disclosure forms the past two
    years. He also got a $1,700 indoor cycling trainer from Saris Cycling Group
    president Chris Fortune, two pairs of cycling shoes from Rob Teskey of Trek
    Nike Cycling Division, and three helmets, at least four pairs of riding
    gloves and other cycling equipment worth $532 from Burke.

    White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said the president "is in full
    compliance with federal laws governing the acceptance of gifts." Those laws
    say presidents and their spouses must list on financial disclosure forms any
    gifts from constituents worth $305 or more. Often the gifts wind up in
    presidential libraries.

    It was only three years ago that Bush took up cycling after a painful knee
    forced him to cut back on jogging. At 60, he is an exceptionally fit rider
    who likes to go hard, always at the head of a small pack of other riders.

    Most of his cycling is at Beltsville. But he also bikes occasionally at the
    Marine base at Quantico, Va., Camp David at Catoctin Mountain Park and at
    his ranch at Crawford, Texas. He also sneaks in rides during presidential
    trips.

    Misiera said he has turned down offers from collectors of up to $21,000 for
    his store's spare presidential bike.

    "We could probably get $25,000 for it on eBay," he said. "But of course we
    can't sell it. It has the seal of the President of the United States."


    I would have thought he would ride something more road bike like. I
    wonder how many guys his age are "avid" mountain bikers? Versus road bikers?

    It's easier to climb the piles of Iraqi corpses with a FS vs a hard
    tail or even a CX bike.


    But he could ride away from all his mistakes faster on a road bike.

    Ken
    --
    The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets
    old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without
    shocking the entire community. ~Ann Strong

  8. Ken C. M. said:
    landotter said:
    Ken C. M. said:

    rms wrote:
    > Bush transforms into avid mountain biker
    >
    > JOHN HEILPRIN
    > Associated Press
    >
    > WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President Bush
    > bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into a devoted
    > mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.
    >
    > Even with elections looming, the cyclist-in-chief made time earlier this
    > month for his ritual mountain biking on weekends. He changed into biking
    > clothes and muddied up his newest ultra-pricey mountain bike given him by a
    > manufacturer, a $5,000 Cannondale with a custom red, white and blue paint
    > job. The 2007 model was put in his hands even before it had been shipped to
    > stores.
    >
    > Such a passion it is: he also went biking Thursday while spending the
    > Thanksgiving holiday at his mountaintop retreat in Camp David, Md.
    >
    > "He's an avid rider, a fanatic," said Matt Mannelly, president of Bethel,
    > Conn.-based Cannondale, who hadn't publicized but confirmed what he called
    > an unsolicited gift to Bush a month ago. "We also made it very clear we
    > wouldn't do anything to market this. To give it to someone like the
    > president, who's actually going to use it a lot, means a lot to us."
    >
    > Bush already has two Trek mountain bikes, one worth $5,500, the other
    > $2,700.
    >
    > The president likes super lightweight carbon frames, trail-absorbing shocks
    > front and back, a light but supportive seat, top Japanese components and
    > special paint jobs. But they are essentially stock bikes, similar to what
    > ordinary buyers can get.
    >
    > The president's thoughts drifted to his newest bike on the campaign trail.
    > Maybe it was a calorie-conscious moment at a local farmer's ice cream store
    > in Pennsylvania, or the anticipation of busting his lungs on an expensive
    > new machine over rocky ruts. Whatever the impulse, Bush said he'd gotten a
    > new bike and was looking forward to riding it.
    >
    > Rolling around the dirt track at a Secret Service facility in suburban
    > Beltsville, Md., Bush tried out the Cannondale but also brought along one of
    > his "old" mountain bikes - a 2006 Trek painted up like Air Force One.
    >
    > The Trek has "United States of America" painted in white letters across the
    > blue top tube, and a 2-inch presidential seal affixed to both sides of the
    > head tube. Revolution Cycles, a local chain of stores, maintains the bike
    > and owns an identical backup that it keeps ready for Bush.
    >
    > "It's kind of like the backup space shuttle," said Darrin Misiera, a manager
    > of the stores.
    >
    > None of Bush's mountain bikes, in fact, is very old. His other Trek is a
    > 2005 model.
    >
    > The stores' president, Mike Hamannwright, fitted Bush with his Trek bikes
    > and has ridden with him. Co-owner Santiago "Pinkey" Gonzalez doubles as the
    > president's bike mechanic.
    >
    > The Trek bikes came courtesy of John Burke, president of Waterloo,
    > Wis.-based Trek Bicycle Corp., who also chairs the President's Council on
    > Physical Fitness and Sports.
    >
    > Bush reported the bikes on his financial disclosure forms the past two
    > years. He also got a $1,700 indoor cycling trainer from Saris Cycling Group
    > president Chris Fortune, two pairs of cycling shoes from Rob Teskey of Trek
    > Nike Cycling Division, and three helmets, at least four pairs of riding
    > gloves and other cycling equipment worth $532 from Burke.
    >
    > White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said the president "is in full
    > compliance with federal laws governing the acceptance of gifts." Those laws
    > say presidents and their spouses must list on financial disclosure forms any
    > gifts from constituents worth $305 or more. Often the gifts wind up in
    > presidential libraries.
    >
    > It was only three years ago that Bush took up cycling after a painful knee
    > forced him to cut back on jogging. At 60, he is an exceptionally fit rider
    > who likes to go hard, always at the head of a small pack of other riders.
    >
    > Most of his cycling is at Beltsville. But he also bikes occasionally at the
    > Marine base at Quantico, Va., Camp David at Catoctin Mountain Park and at
    > his ranch at Crawford, Texas. He also sneaks in rides during presidential
    > trips.
    >
    > Misiera said he has turned down offers from collectors of up to $21,000 for
    > his store's spare presidential bike.
    >
    > "We could probably get $25,000 for it on eBay," he said. "But of course we
    > can't sell it. It has the seal of the President of the United States."
    >
    >
    I would have thought he would ride something more road bike like. I
    wonder how many guys his age are "avid" mountain bikers? Versus road bikers?

    It's easier to climb the piles of Iraqi corpses with a FS vs a hard
    tail or even a CX bike.


    But he could ride away from all his mistakes faster on a road bike.

    You're right, but do they make them in his size? The large rear wheels
    do offer some killer float!

    http://tinyurl.com/y6dnwt

  9. "Ken C. M." <[email hidden]> wrote in
    news:[email hidden]:

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:


    But he could ride away from all his mistakes faster on a road bike.

    Ken

    Except for all the IEDs along the roads.

    OOPS, forgot.

    He won't be riding with the troops.

    I guess it's easier to commune with his soulmates, like Eric Rudolph, if
    he's got a mountain bike, though.

  10. Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:


    rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    Does this mean bush uses Avid brakes on his ATB?

    The headline I want to see is "M*k* V*nd*m*n transforms into avid
    mountain biker". :-)

    Wise not to Invoke the Name.
    --
    Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
    Some gardening required to reply via email.
    Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

  11. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Ken C. M. said:
    rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    JOHN HEILPRIN
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President Bush
    bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into a devoted
    mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.

    [snip]

    Quoted message said:

    I would have thought he would ride something more road bike like.

    I believe Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower did (on his doctor's
    recommendation.)

    I don't think GWB is anything like Ike. For example, Ike
    understood the importance of having /clear/ objectives
    before committing to military action, and he could shut down
    dead end, active military involvement, like in Korea.
    Maybe GWB is more like Truman, or LBJ. Although I have
    trouble picturing Truman or lBJ riding a bicycle of any sort.

    Quoted message said:

    I
    wonder how many guys his age are "avid" mountain bikers?

    I think you'll find that disposable income is more of a factor
    than age, in at least the milder forms of mountain biking such
    as "cross country"-type riding. I doubt, however, we'll see
    Furious George freeriding, or doing trials on picnic tables.

    Quoted message said:

    Versus road bikers?

    Y'mean like cycle-tourists? Which reminds me -- how long
    and how far does a ride have to be, to qualify as a "tour"?

    To put it another way -- when a rider is past having a
    competitive edge to hone with training rides, and not even
    involved in official competitive cycling (including
    randonneuring/audax,) and goes for a just-for-the-heck-of-it
    road ride anyway -- is he or she not essentially cycle-touring?
    If so, why do some folks try to disguise it as, or bother to
    go through the motions of making it a "training ride"?

    cheers,
    Tom

    --
    Nothing is safe from me.
    Above address is just a spam midden.
    I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

  12. Ken C. M. said:
    rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    JOHN HEILPRIN
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President
    Bush bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into
    a devoted mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.

    Quoted message said:

    I would have thought he would ride something more road bike like. I
    wonder how many guys his age are "avid" mountain bikers? Versus road
    bikers?

    Quite a few, at least around here (Boston), myself included. Why would
    you expect age to change that? I imagine security is a lot easier to
    provide in the woods than on the road. John Kerry is commonly spotted
    around here riding on the road, he might have to give that up if he
    became president.

    I don't agree with Bush's politics, but I respect his passion for
    mountain biking -- we have at least that in common.

  13. Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:
    rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    Does this mean bush uses Avid brakes on his ATB?

    The headline I want to see is "M*k* V*nd*m*n transforms into avid
    mountain biker". :-)

    I'd like to see a series of headlines, beginning with "Ecology Nut
    Attacks GWB in 'Pure Habitat'" with the sub-head quote: "He was
    running over whipsnakes."

    The final headline in the series would be "Vandenut Sentenced to 99
    Years with No Internet."

    And the Bush presidency would have actually served a valid purpose!

    - Frank Krygowski

  14. What a bunch of sniveling whiners! You've got a president who is a
    cycling fan, and all you can do is trash him. No wonder the general
    public doesn't like cyclists. With people like you riding bikes,
    cycling will NEVER become a mainstream activity. Face it: Nobody with
    any self-respect identifies with pussies like you.

  15. Guys, please learn to trim the message. It's a beating to scroll all the way
    through a long message I've read 7 times only to see a one sentence remark.
    ....

    Pat in TX

  16. Face it: Nobody with

    Quoted message said:

    any self-respect identifies with pussies like you.

    YOU do!

    Quoted message said:
  17. Quoted message said:

    What a bunch of sniveling whiners! You've got a president who is a
    cycling fan, and all you can do is trash him. No wonder the general
    public doesn't like cyclists. With people like you riding bikes,
    cycling will NEVER become a mainstream activity. Face it: Nobody with
    any self-respect identifies with pussies like you.

    Oh my, I'm chastized!

    Yes, I _should_ worship an incompetent figurehead who's misled the
    public and let his handlers lead the country into a morass!

    Why? Because he rides a bicycle, of course!

    - Frank Krygowski

  18. Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    What a bunch of sniveling whiners! You've got a president who is a
    cycling fan, and all you can do is trash him. No wonder the general
    public doesn't like cyclists. With people like you riding bikes,
    cycling will NEVER become a mainstream activity. Face it: Nobody with
    any self-respect identifies with pussies like you.

    Oh my, I'm chastized!

    Yes, I _should_ worship an incompetent figurehead who's misled the
    public and let his handlers lead the country into a morass!

    Why? Because he rides a bicycle, of course!

    - Frank Krygowski

    You mean the secret handshake and exchange of Rema patches doesn't make
    up for 500,000 civilians murdered for a dry drunk's ego problem? Why
    you must be a *Freedom Hater*!

    Flag flag flag flag eagle!

  19. Tom Keats said:

    In article <[email hidden]>,

    Ken C. M. said:
    rms said:

    Bush transforms into avid mountain biker

    JOHN HEILPRIN
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON - Swapping his running shoes for bicycle pedals, President Bush
    bid adieu to painful runner's knees and transformed himself into a devoted
    mountain biker - and high-tech gearhead.

    [snip]

    Quoted message said:

    I would have thought he would ride something more road bike like.

    I believe Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower did (on his doctor's
    recommendation.)

    I don't think GWB is anything like Ike. For example, Ike
    understood the importance of having /clear/ objectives
    before committing to military action, and he could shut down
    dead end, active military involvement, like in Korea.
    Maybe GWB is more like Truman, or LBJ. Although I have
    trouble picturing Truman or lBJ riding a bicycle of any sort.

    Quoted message said:

    I
    wonder how many guys his age are "avid" mountain bikers?

    I think you'll find that disposable income is more of a factor
    than age, in at least the milder forms of mountain biking such
    as "cross country"-type riding. I doubt, however, we'll see
    Furious George freeriding, or doing trials on picnic tables.

    Quoted message said:

    Versus road bikers?

    Y'mean like cycle-tourists? Which reminds me -- how long
    and how far does a ride have to be, to qualify as a "tour"?

    To put it another way -- when a rider is past having a
    competitive edge to hone with training rides, and not even
    involved in official competitive cycling (including
    randonneuring/audax,) and goes for a just-for-the-heck-of-it
    road ride anyway -- is he or she not essentially cycle-touring?
    If so, why do some folks try to disguise it as, or bother to
    go through the motions of making it a "training ride"?


    Good point. I am beyond ever being competitive age. But I went for a
    Thanksgiving 45 miler, a just for the heck of it ride, got lost, sort
    of, and had a good time doing it. I just rode. and didn't and wouldn't
    call it a training ride.

    Ken
    --
    The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets
    old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without
    shocking the entire community. ~Ann Strong

  20. In article <[email hidden]>,

    landotter said:


    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    What a bunch of sniveling whiners! You've got a president who is a
    cycling fan, and all you can do is trash him. No wonder the general
    public doesn't like cyclists. With people like you riding bikes,
    cycling will NEVER become a mainstream activity. Face it: Nobody with
    any self-respect identifies with pussies like you.

    Oh my, I'm chastized!

    Yes, I _should_ worship an incompetent figurehead who's misled the
    public and let his handlers lead the country into a morass!

    Why? Because he rides a bicycle, of course!

    - Frank Krygowski

    You mean the secret handshake

    Y'mean Bonzo /knows/ the secret handshake?! <aghast>

    Quoted message said:

    and exchange of Rema patches doesn't make
    up for 500,000 civilians murdered for a dry drunk's ego problem? Why
    you must be a *Freedom Hater*!

    Flag flag flag flag eagle!

    My country, right or wrong!

    cheers et bon sante,
    Tom

    --
    Nothing is safe from me.
    Above address is just a spam midden.
    I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

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