posted on July 25, 2007 08:04:11 PM new
This is just too funny not to post.
Edwards talks issues, borrows salve on RAGBRAI
JENNIFER JACOBS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
July 25, 2007
14 Comments
Dumont, Ia. — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards squeezed into a pair of Spandex bike shorts today and pedaled on the RAGBRAI route with champion cyclist Lance Armstrong.
After riding from just north of Dumont to Kesley, Edwards wrapped his arms around a several riders from Team Killer Bees for a photo, but declined be held aloft in their traditional sideways pose. "You'd drop me, then I couldn't be president," he joked.
Then he sat down in Kesley for a diet soda and a pork chop. "My second," he said.
The candidate was sweaty after about a dozen miles, but there was no evidence of helmet hair.
The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, a week long bike ride across the state, runs today from Hampton to Cedar Falls.
Edwards rode at an easy pace, about 10 to 12 mph, and chatted with riders about whatever issues they brought up — Darfur, taxes, Iowa farming. Several riders inquired about Elizabeth Edwards’ health — she was diagnosed this year with a recurrence of
breast cancer — and wished her well.
Armstrong said he invited all the presidential candidates to ride on RAGBRAI with him but so far Edwards was the only one who took him up on it.
Democrat Joe Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, was also scheduled to ride today and Republican Mitt Romney's sons are riding Friday. Democrat Chris Dodd will have an event on the route in Dyersville on Friday.
Three riders from Armstrong’s foundation surrounded Edwards and tried to shield him from the crush. The pack of riders around them hovered at about 50 deep.
As the pack crammed together to let a car pass, Edwards wobbled a little and veered around a rider.
“This is an accident waiting to happen,” he said, and laughed.
A crowd of hundreds noticed the black Livestrong bus parked near Dumont and the TV cameras downtown and stood waiting and watching.
"Here comes Sir Lancelot," a rider called out at 11:30 a.m. and the crowd swarmed into the road, cheering.
On the road, more riders exclaimed over seeing Armstrong.
Graduate student Allison Vos of Chapel Hill, N.C., told Edwards that people probably didn't realize he was in the group of cyclists hanging back from those encircling the cycling champion.
"That's just fine with me," said Edwards, who had a chain grease "tattoo" on his right calf.
Asked why he wanted a taste of RAGBRAI, he answered, "Lance has become a friend. Proud of what he's doing, particularly on the cancer issue. It's obviously very important to us personally. And I've heard about this race — err, race — this ride, ever since I'd been coming to Iowa so I wanted to see what it looked like."
Edwards has only biked two or three times in the last 20 years, but he runs four to six miles a day and is serious about sticking to that exercise routine. Edwards said Armstrong told him an hour's worth of running is equivalent to about three hours of bicycling.
To warm up for RAGBRAI, Edwards rode 22 miles on Sunday in the hills of his home state, North Carolina.
"This is actually not hard, this is fun," Edwards said as he climbed a hill on County Road T16 on a black Trek road bike he borrowed for the day. "The biggest problem is my butt hurts. Is that normal?"
"Do you want some Chamois Butt'r?" Peter Klein, of Beloit, Wisc., asked him.
"What's that?" Edwards said, as a string of riders from Team Trousermouse cruised past.
Klein, a 27-year-old with a beard and round John Lennon-style sunglasses, explained that it's a skin cream cyclists use to prevent chafing and soothe saddle sores. He handed the senator a travel-sized packet and said he hoped it helped.
Armstrong, as he rode on County Road C51 just west of Kesley, said he doubts he'll endorse a candidate for president.
"I represent an issue that's bipartisan and apolitical," said Armstrong, who promotes fundraising for cancer research. "I don't question the senator's commitment."
Justin Lyle, 10, from Morgan Hill, Calif. rode next to Armstrong for about a mile.
"I asked him, 'How you go pee on the Tour de France?'" Lyle said later. "He said it's pretty hard, sometimes you have to hold it."
The boy rode with Armstrong on Tuesday, too, when the seven-time Tour de France winner was more incognito in a white sleeveless shirt, riding a mountain bike.
Armstrong peeled off in Kesley and his entourage discouraged the crowd from following him. No one followed.
"The highlight is just how people are really cool here," Armstrong said. "Everyone's just relaxed and says hey, what's up. Nobody tries to wear you out, which is great."
Armstrong confirmed today he will leave the ride to support his team at the Tour de France, but he will stay until after Friday's RAGBRAI leg. He is expected to speak at 6 p.m. today at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.
Edwards's youngest children, Emma Claire and Jack, and wife Elizabeth joined the route just south of Aredale for a mile or two, then hopped into a minivan as Edwards continued on with Armstrong.
Asked how he would describe RAGBRAI to someone who'd never heard of it, Edwards said: "It's a huge statewide community event. Everybody moving together, talking, riding bikes, eating, probably a little drinking going on. Fun."
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.George S. Patton
posted on July 25, 2007 09:10:17 PM new
Funny that edwards brings up elizabeth's cancer at every chance he gets to do so. LOL
Meanwhile she's throwing jabs and insults at other candidates and her 'poor' neighbor. lol In addition to speaking about positions that john doesn't even agree with. lol
But don't let that 'hair' get mussed....pretty boy couldn't deal with THAT.
No wonder he's so low in the polls. Pretty boy had better go back to stealing money from the victims he represents.
======================
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on July 25, 2007 09:51:19 PM newFunny that edwards brings up elizabeth's cancer at every chance he gets to do so. LOL
Edwards considers Lance Armstrong a friend and he supports his Livestrong foundation. Lance asked candidates to ride with him.
Edwards to hit the trail with Lance Armstrong
Armstrong has become politically active as a cancer activist since retiring from professional cycling. He plans presidential candidate forums on cancer next month in Cedar Rapids.
“For me personally, it’s just to make sure that whatever candidates we have now, and then ultimately the two who want to be president, discuss the No. 1 killer in this country, just like they would discuss war or terror or taxes,” Armstrong said in a video statement on his foundation Web site.
“I think whoever wants to be commander in chief ought to answer the cancer question,” Armstrong said.
posted on July 25, 2007 09:58:03 PM new
People CAN read what was already posted....with the exception of you kiara.
Such a 'friend'...so much in common....and he's still NOT going to endorse edwards.
LOL LOL LOL
Armstrong, as he rode on County Road C51 just west of Kesley, said he doubts he'll endorse a candidate for president.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on July 25, 2007 10:05:24 PM newand he's still NOT going to endorse edwards.
So? I guess in your world there has to be something in it for you before you will support anything? Not everyone is like that - besides, candidates always choose their causes and since Edward's wife has cancer it shouldn't be surprising that he gets involved in this after Lance Armstrong invited candidates to take part.
posted on July 26, 2007 12:07:36 AM new
linduh is just too stupid for her shirt....""Several riders inquired about Elizabeth Edwards’ health — she was diagnosed this year with a recurrence of
breast cancer — and wished her well.""
See stupid, Edwards was ASKED.
But she can spin the crap with the best of them !LOL!
""Such a 'friend'...so much in common....and he's still NOT going to endorse edwards.
LOL LOL LOL
Armstrong, as he rode on County Road C51 just west of Kesley, said he doubts he'll endorse a candidate for president.""
She can take a statement like "he doubts he'll endorse A candidate" into not endorsing his friend Edwards....LOL!
posted on July 26, 2007 05:42:58 AM new
"Pretty boy had better go back to stealing money from the victims he represents."
Stealing money? He is a lawyer who represented clients in lawsuits. He worked hard on each case and earned his money. If he won, he got a percentage, if he lost he got nothing. How is that stealing? CC
zzzzzzzzzzzzz