GWB's stable

[torquer]

Say what you will about his politics (here's hoping not too much:no:), but the guy has some pretty nice bikes, and is actually riding them.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-acWQ-ua0k/T6Ju6vBtHrI/AAAAAAAAag8/trVcThvtPUw/s1600/George+W.+Bush+%7C+Cyclist+in+Crawford,+Texas+%7C+ Strava.jpg
Assuming, of course, this isn't a hoax perpetrated by Shrimp-boat Veterans for Truth or some such group.

[monkeybanana86]

I was wondering about this. He placed number one on a segment I was looking at and I wish I remember what but I think it was in the Bay Area. I looked at the name and laughed.

[fiamme red]

Looks like a hoax. Dubya always rode Trek MTB's.

[FixedNotBroken]

I do know for a fact that he does road ride..but I have no idea what he rides or how often. My aunt went to school with him and are actually close friends so they chat every once in awhile (not even joking). She knows of my interest in bikes and told me a a year or so ago that he loves bikes too! Which surprised me. I would be quite awesome if that was his stable..I wonder if he rides Campy :) he would strike me as a Campy 10 kind of guy :)

[FixedNotBroken]

Looks like a hoax. Dubya always rode Trek MTB's.

He does road ride occasionally according to my aunt..I have no idea about the MTB stuff.

[saab2000]

I wonder if the Secret Service ride with him? Or drive behind him with a car with a bike rack ready with a spare for a 10-second bike change. Or lean out the window for a quick shot of oil while he's riding. Or a quick brake adjustment. When you're a former president you need these sorts of things.

[shorelocal]

Those road bikes are all brands carried by Above Category and even the Parlee says "AC" in its name. Above Category brands, the letters "AC", and segments from the Bay Area .. I'd guess it's a hoax by someone who rides out of AC in SF.

[MattTuck]

I wonder if the Secret Service ride with him? Or drive behind him with a car with a bike rack ready with a spare for a 10-second bike change. Or lean out the window for a quick shot of oil while he's riding. Or a quick brake adjustment. When you're a former president you need these sorts of things.

They pass him a lot of bottles on the uphills.

[Mr Cabletwitch]

I've read that he was riding treks, but I know he had a ride with the guys from Niner and I think they gave him a Jet9 and he said he loved it. He definitely lives and rides in Texas though.

[Elefantino]

I'd guess it's a hoax by someone who rides out of AC in SF.
It's Pelosi's fault, then.

[lovethesport]

I wonder if the Secret Service ride with him? Or drive behind him with a car with a bike rack ready with a spare for a 10-second bike change. Or lean out the window for a quick shot of oil while he's riding. Or a quick brake adjustment. When you're a former president you need these sorts of things.

When he rode with Lance a few years ago he rode a Trek.. I just looked at the pictures on Bicycling.com referencing his recent ride for Wounded Warriors
and I couldn't tell( I have a Trek Fuel)exactly what he was on... I doubt he has ridden more miles on the supposed single speed 29er vs Yeti.

[FixedNotBroken]

When he rode with Lance a few years ago he rode a Trek.. I just looked at the pictures on Bicycling.com referencing his recent ride for Wounded Warriors
and I couldn't tell( I have a Trek Fuel)exactly what he was on... I doubt he has ridden more miles on the supposed single speed 29er vs Yeti.

I wonder if he rode a trek because of being with Lance? Or if Lance let him ride it? I had no idea about his Mtb'ing but I do know he's a decent roadie.

[saab2000]

Lance probably gave him the Trek. Or more likely Trek gave GWB the Trek. Rather nice publicity shot actually. Though I've also heard that all gifts to any president are, by law, property of the United States and go to the White House archives or wherever they go with that sort of thing.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/President_George_Bush_and_2005_Tour_de_France_winn er_Lance_Armstrong_take_a_ride_together.jpg

[nighthawk]

I know when he was in the white house he had a stationary bike in the WH gym and in front of it on the wall was the infamous "mission accomplished" photo off the deck of that aircraft carrier.

[lovethesport]

I know when he was in the white house he had a stationary bike in the WH gym and in front of it on the wall was the infamous "mission accomplished" photo off the deck of that aircraft carrier.

and... does that mean Obama rides a bike backwards and has a picture of
the economy tanking?

[lwkwafi]

I remember the 2000 election there was a comparison of fitness between Bush and Gore. Obviously Bush kicked his ass. If nothing else, he was/is a relatively fit dude.

[nighthawk]

and... does that mean Obama rides a bike backwards and has a picture of
the economy tanking?

I have no idea what this means.

I have a friend who grew up with GWB. She showed me pictures from her visit to the white house for a christmas party and I'm just telling you what I saw.

[nahtnoj]

I have no idea what this means.

It means that some people have no manners and this thread is trending towards getting locked.

[nighthawk]

It means that some people have no manners and this thread is trending towards getting locked.

Starting that trend may have been my fault.

Lets keep it about bikes.

[Hank Scorpio]

In before lock!

[lovethesport]

I have no idea what this means.

I have a friend who grew up with GWB. She showed me pictures from her visit to the white house for a christmas party and I'm just telling you what I saw.

No harm intended... sorry for the flip comment

[Joachim]

I wonder if the Secret Service ride with him?

Bet you he rides tubulars. Nice ones. Made in Italy.

[Keith A]

It means that some people have no manners and this thread is trending towards getting locked.Exactly.

[tiretrax]

It's definitely a hoax. GWB rides mtn bikes around here. He's made lots of friends on the trails and invited a few people to ride with him. I think Trek gave him the bike. Revolution Cycles has a copy in its Crystal City, VA store (well in 2/11 it was there). He did a Wounded Warrior ride two weeks ago. I saw a video news story earlier this week on the Dallas Morning News web page.

Whatever you think of his politics, Bush is a likeable guy. He's not phony or conceited like most politicians, such as the current Congressman who crashed at my place for a month when he was starting out as a DOJ lawyer 23 years ago.

[Ralph]

I don't see the SS allowing him to ride on any public roads.

He could probably get in a long dirt road ride on his ranch safely.

[fourflys]

I can only imagine what it must be like to be GWB or Robin Williams and be able to get whatever bike you want, any time you want...

BTW- how cool of a job would that be to be the secret service agent... get your miles in while you're at work! :banana:

[jet sanchez]

and... does that mean Obama rides a bike backwards and has a picture of
the economy tanking?

Hhaha, it took 15 posts, you guys are slipping.

[saab2000]

FWIW, in my work I have met a number of Secret Service agents (as well as FBI and all sorts of other law enforcement people) and without exception they have been professional and articulate and come across as really, really intelligent people. They also told me that the jobs of personal protection details are the least likable jobs. They are stressful and boring for the most part.

But very interesting to talk to these folks.

I saw a little snippet today with Bill Clinton and he said that activity he misses most by being who he is is driving a car. He said he could do it if he were willing to give up Secret Service protection but they won't really let him drive anywhere publicly. There is probably something similar with GWB and riding, but he does own a large ranch and probably can ride there without too many restrictions.

As to being president? It is kind of hard for me to imagine why anyone would really want that job. Seems like everyone hates you. Your enemies will hate you no matter what and then your early supporters will not like you because you haven't done exactly what they expected you to do. It's a lose/lose job it seems.

But I guess someone has to do it, so I will volunteer!

[rwsaunders]

I read a quote recently that compared running for President to placing your face in an oscillating fan set at max speed.

[nighthawk]

FWIW, in my work I have met a number of Secret Service agents (as well as FBI and all sorts of other law enforcement people) and without exception they have been professional and articulate and come across as really, really intelligent people. They also told me that the jobs of personal protection details are the least likable jobs. They are stressful and boring for the most part.



Unless they are in Colombia, apparently.

[saab2000]

Unless they are in Colombia, apparently.

Had to go there, didn't you. Too bad a few bad apples have to spoil them all. The ones I have met have been exceptional men and women in my interactions with them.

[Louis]

Unless they are in Colombia, apparently.

If anyone thinks that was the first time those dudes pulled that trick, I have news for you. All those guys didn't just happen to feel lonely that one night for the first time ever.

[nighthawk]

Had to go there, didn't you. Too bad a few bad apples have to spoil them all. The ones I have met have been exceptional men and women in my interactions with them.

Sorry, it was just too easy a shot with the recent news. I'm sure they aren't representative of the majority of service agents.

[Bruce K]

Pulled it back from the edge of the cliff once again, didn't we? :rolleyes:

Please keep this on the bike related topic / objective and it will live on.

Thanks,

BK

[dd74]

FWIW

http://www.bikegallery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/george-bush-and-his-bike-228x300.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/23/article-0-0D8AFCF500000578-930_306x625.jpg

[lovethesport]

Great picture... anybody who loves Mtn. Biking like GW will always get my vote. There is that unspoken bond whether you have tatoos or followed by
SS men that no other sport has.I think we need to get the prez a different kit!

[sashae]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20110427/0022190dec450f21f65514.jpg

[lovethesport]

You better believe the guy right behind him is packin' one.

[Keith A]

He's even using clipless pedals :)

[BumbleBeeDave]

You better believe the guy right behind him is packin' one.

. . . a big black HUMVEE with a Gatling gun on top just outside the pic on the right! :eek: ;)

BBD

[avalonracing]

W rode and worked out a like while POTUS. Much more than most people I know have time for.

[biker72]

Ex President Bush is quite visible in the Dallas off road community.
Yes, some Secret Service guys ride with him.
Don't know what other bikes he might have but Trek is his favorite MTB brand.

He's just a regular guy in person.........with a Secret Service escort...:)

[Dave B]

I read an article where he was into MTB more so then road as the SS cannot control the public roads as well. He has a small trail system on his ranch as he cannot run anymore.

Yes the SS carry guns with them when they ride, it is a rule of their job. Yes he messes with them or did when they began as he was quite fit already.

These are things I read and quotes he said.

[leooooo]

Weird how I like the dude more and more when he became ex-prez

[PQJ]

W rode and worked out a like while POTUS. Much more than most people I know have time for.

Something's gotta give somewhere. More time on the bike means less time in the office.

[benitosan1972]

No KOM's? What a p*ssy ;)

[fuzzalow]

Anything that brings out a positive image of cycling into the mainstream is a very good thing to have. Especially if the people doing it, in this case - Dubya, are viewed in a favorable way to the limited mental gymnastics afforded by the mainstream Joe Sixpack:

- Dubya rides in the dirt, just like I sorta do with my SUV. So biking must be OK 'cos Dubya is just like me

versus

- John Kerry rides some speedy expensive bike and surfboards with a sail stuck to it, what is that?!? Yeah, doing things rich guys do.

[Fixed]

What a cool job for a s.s. agent that likes to bike
Cheers :)

[CaptStash]

I saw a piece on CNN International (I'm stuck in Mexico) about the W100 that Bush puts on. It's a 100k mountain bike ride that he does with 20 "wounded warriors". Although his politics and mine are greatly divergent, I have always had the feeling he was a regular guy in a lot of ways. He's certainly a pretty good athlete (used to run sub 7 miles while president).

In the CNN piece, he mentioned that he doesn't do public interviews anymore, but made an exception only because of the importance he felt about what they were doing.

Take away the politics, and I am a big fan.

See and read about the CNN piece here CNN - Piers Morgan and GWB on the W100 (http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/03/a-day-spent-behind-the-scenes-with-george-w-bush-no-big-handlers-guiding-every-shot-just-the-president-and-slow-cooked-ribs/)

CaptStash....

[dancinkozmo]

..im sure hes a nice guy.
if only someone had told him , at the beginning of his presidency , the president gives orders to the vice pres. not the other way around, things might have turned out different .

[avalonracing]

I have always had the feeling he was a regular guy in a lot of ways.


Yup...
Regular intelligence, regular judgement, regular discipline, regular morals, regular drinker, regular flaws, regular thoughts, regular anger... Exactly who I would want to elect to be the most powerful person in the world. :rolleyes:

[sashae]

I saw a piece on CNN International (I'm stuck in Mexico) about the W100 that Bush puts on. It's a 100k mountain bike ride that he does with 20 "wounded warriors". Although his politics and mine are greatly divergent, I have always had the feeling he was a regular guy in a lot of ways. He's certainly a pretty good athlete (used to run sub 7 miles while president).

Friend of mine mentioned that when the military/SecSvc was trying out for guard duty for Bush, they had to run a sub-21minute 3 mile since GWB was dropping agents during his runs.

[Bruce K]

We're doing pretty good here.

Let's keep away from the politics, please.

BK

[Keith A]

..im sure hes a nice guy.
if only someone had told him , at the beginning of his presidency , the president gives orders to the vice pres. not the other way around, things might have turned out different .Please keep the politics out of this thread
:no:

[54ny77]

Interestingly, that time won't even get you into OCS in at least 1-2 branches. I would highly doubt an SS Presidential detail member wouldn't be able to blitz that time by at least a couple minutes.

Regardless, it's still plenty darned quick.

Friend of mine mentioned that when the military/SecSvc was trying out for guard duty for Bush, they had to run a sub-21minute 3 mile since GWB was dropping agents during his runs.

[fourflys]

Weird how I like the dude more and more when he became ex-prez

agree

[Louis]

Please keep the politics out of this thread
:no:

How can one keep politics out of a thread that is about an individual who is of interest only because he was a politician?

[jlwdm]

Pretty easy for most people in this thread.

Jeff

[Louis]

Pretty easy for most people in this thread.

Jeff

If so, it won't be the first time they've ignored the obvious.

[Keith A]

How can one keep politics out of a thread that is about an individual who is of interest only because he was a politician?I would say that he is a person of interest because he has been in the public eye. Just like we have discussed Robin William and his interest in cycling, but we don't critique the movies he was in. Same with GWB...there is no reason to throw in politics simply because he was a politician.

From the forum rules...

The Paceline Forum is NOT . . .

<snip>

• For discussion of partisan political topics. If a discussion devolves into partisan politics it will be shut down by the moderators and the thread may be deleted. Experience has taught us these discussions inevitably deteriorate.

[Louis]

In other words, it's perfectly OK to talk about highly divisive figures and treat them as if they're your drinking and riding buddy who lives next door, as long as we don't talk about what makes them divisive. I suppose I can live with that, but it doesn't strike me as something that is healthy long term.

(I'll ignore the Robin Williams analogy, which completely misses the point.)

[Keith A]

Louis -- What didn't you understand about the rule that I re-posted?

[avalonracing]

Just like we have discussed Robin William and his interest in cycling, but we don't critique the movies he was in..

Damn it... I was going to say that I loved Robin Williams in "One Hour Photo" as I thought that he played the roll with sensitivity and pathos but I really don't want to piss anyone off or break any rules.

[Peter B]

Clearly GWB needs to spend more time on that Baum!

[Louis]

Louis -- What didn't you understand about the rule that I re-posted?

Keith, what do you not understand about the fact that GWB is partisan politics?

[dd74]

The best question about GWB is would you ride with him, despite his politics?

I ride with liberals, conservatives, libertarians and a few socialists. All of it means nothing when we're sweating it out on the same road.

[FixedNotBroken]

The best question about GWB is would you ride with him, despite his politics?

I ride with liberals, conservatives, libertarians and a few socialists. All of it means nothing when we're sweating it out on the same road.

+1..I'll ride with pretty much anyone. When I'm on the road, I'm in a different frame of mind. We all share the same passion of cycling, leave it on the road :)

[Louis]

I ride with liberals, conservatives, libertarians and a few socialists. All of it means nothing when we're sweating it out on the same road.

My best riding buddy (last year, for some reason this year he's not riding much) and I are 180* apart on political and religious issues. However, we are co-workers and have several other interests in common, so it's relatively easy to just avoid politics and religion. In the case of an ex-president, ignoring the past would not be quite as easy. I think I would be much more interested in hearing what he has to say about political issues than I would Campy vs Shimano, clinchers vs tubulars, or steel vs CF.

[FixedNotBroken]

My best riding buddy (last year, for some reason this year he's not riding much) and I are 180* apart on political and religious issues. However, we are co-workers and have several other interests in common, so it's relatively easy to just avoid politics and religion. In the case of an ex-president, ignoring the past would not be quite as easy. I think I would be much more interested in hearing what he has to say about political issues than I would Campy vs Shimano, clinchers vs tubulars, or steel vs CF.

He's just a human...like you and I.

[Louis]

He's just a human...like you and I.

True, we all have that in common.

Edit: Well, most of us. ;)

[jlwdm]

Moderators

I don't understand why you put up with people who know better making some of the posts that have been made in this thread. If people don't want to follow the rules give then a break from the forum for a period of time. Otherwise get rid of all of the rules.

Jeff

[Keith A]

I think this thread is done. I'm going out for a sixty mile group ride...have a great day.