In article <
[email protected]>,
Robert <
[email protected]> wrote:
> Mark Hickey wrote:
>
> > "Boris Foelsch" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/01/weekinreview/01mcgr.html?8hpib
> >>
> >>I'm not so sure about some of the commentary - I find road riding to be at
> >>least as dangerous as off-road, but it's amusing anyway.
> >>
> >>In their subtle way, I think they're trying to say GWB's not real smart
> >>about staying safe on a bike.
> >
> > Well it IS the New York Times. ;-)
> >
> > I think it's great that both candidates are riding bikes, and that
> > both are doing it with enough abandon to crash once in a while (you
> > don't want a commander in chief who is scared by a little road rash).
>
> True, but there are some elements of this bicycle pissing contest that
> are somewhat worrying. For instance, the reference in a previous article
> in the Denver Post (see earlier thread "where did all these SEROTTAS
> come from???", link from "meb" on 29 July) to GWB's riding with such
> fury that his Secret Service agents are getting broken collarbones and
> ribs trying to keep up with him.
Considering some of the damage that I have done to myself riding against
only myself (and that I have seen others do without any encouragement
from me) using a mountain bike, I'd say that falling down is an
unavoidable element of "serious" dirt riding. If you're not pushing fast
enough to occasionally fall down, you're probably not riding very
seriously, or the terrain isn't very serious.
> A bit of a shame that GWB feels the need to assert whatever virility he
> may have by trying to humiliate his bodyguards who are doing their best
> (poor sods) to protect him. Why does he have to try to burn his riding
> mates off his peloton all the time? Gives a truer insight into his
> leadership style than most would want to see.
That could just mean he's riding at his own pace, and that the Secret
Service guys aren't very good riders. I guess he should wait, but I'd
say it's the perogative of the Prez to ride hard and fast during his
downtime.
I'm tempted to read more into Kerry's repeatedly blaming sporting
mishaps on his security detail, which actually has a tad more chance of
giving some character insight than assuming Bush is the reason his SS
men keep getting hurt.
> Sounds like the kind of thing that Idi Amin used to do with *his*
> security detail.
No, it doesn't.
> Be sure that GWB doesn't shave his legs. Hrr, hrr, . . .
>
> > I just wish Kerry would buy a real jersey and Bush would lose the toe
> > clips. Fabrizio must be horrified.
>
> (pls - for us on the wrong side of the pond - who's Fabrizio?)
Winner of the Tour de Reves. A legend in his own mind. The ultimate
peloton style authority. A force to be reckoned with.
--
Ryan Cousineau,
[email protected] http://www.wiredcola.com
Verus de parvis; verus de magnis.
