Mountain biking has created a healthier president

09:32 AM MDT on Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Bob Anthony
Idaho's NewsChannel 7

DONNELLY -- This morning, the president wasn't sure of his recreational plans.

KTVB

Staffers load the president's mountain bike into an SUV at Gowen Field Monday. The president did wait long to enjoy the trails at Tamarack. He was spotted going for a ride Tuesday morning.

But, he did get out and enjoyed a beautiful day at Tamarack Resort.

Since he no longer jogs, mountain biking has become his "release."

His passion for pedaling has kept him in top physical condition.

Today was primarily reserved for recreation for the president and he couldn't have found a better spot for some serious biking.

It was two years ago, after a series of knee problems, when President Bush turned from an avid runner to an avid mountain biker.

And he was sure to bring along his favorite bike on this week's trip to Idaho.

“The Trek Fuel 98, which the president rides, is a full carbon, full suspension bicycle. It’s probably the top of the line bike that Trek makes. It probably retails for between three and four-thousand dollars,” said Mike Cooley, George’s Cycle Shop.

Tour de France superstar Lance Armstrong rode with the president near his Crawford, Texas ranch just last weekend, and we're told he uses a stationary trainer while on Air Force One during extended flights.

Mountain biking has helped the 59-year-old president lose eight pounds since December, and his body fat percentage dropped to under 16 percent, with a resting heart rate of 47 beats per minute.

“He’s at 47 beats per minute? Good god. That’s really good. That’s very good. Sounds like he's in excellent shape,” said Rich McCrystal, Mountain States Medical.

Four years ago Mountain Bike magazine ranked Boise number one on the list of the 10 best cities for mountain bikers to live based on jobs, quality of life, and the sheer number of trails.

There aren't that many cites where you can leave the downtown area and be on a trail in five to 10 minutes. You can even do a single track trail ride on your lunch hour. Mountain biking has always been popular in Idaho, but with the president's trip can we expect to see it become even more popular?

“You know I have not seen people doing back flips about the fact that he's mountain biking. But I think we'll see a few more people getting into it. I know the governor has turned into quite a cyclist, and I think there are other people out there that will probably sample it now that the president has given it a go,” said Cooley.

And if you ever get the chance to ride with the president, you should know that the number one rule when biking with the commander-in-chief -- No passing the president!