Edwards talks issues, borrows salve on RAGBRAI

[question everything]

Published July 25, 2007

Edwards talks issues, borrows salve on RAGBRAI

JENNIFER JACOBS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

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.

(snip)

The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, a weeklong 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.

(snip)

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?"

(snip)

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."

(snip)

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."

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770725043

Leading the pack



Edwards with Armstrong



With son Jack



With daughter Emma Claire



Armstrong and Elizabeth