The former presidential candidate discusses his love of cycling
John Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president in the 2004 election, remains in politics as a senator from Massachusetts. He also remains active, and cycling is still one of his favorite sports. He talked with Masters Athlete about what he loves about the sport, the potential of cycling to fight obesity and other problems, and his dream tandem partner.
Masters Athlete: Can you tell us a bit about your bike?
John Kerry: Because I travel so much for work, the bike I'm riding depends on where I happen to be at the time. On the campaign trail I'd rent a bike, and I remember great rides in San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and outside Pittsburgh. If I'm home in Massachusetts, I'll use my road bike where I typically ride. But I also have a mountain bike for when I'm somewhere a little more off the beaten path.
MA: Where do you most like to ride?
JK: I love riding at home in Massachusetts. Great views. You can start from a city like Boston, riding along the Charles River, past Harvard and M.I.T. And soon after the Hancock Tower, Citgo Sign and skyline of the city are behind you, you can find yourself riding along rural roads, single lane highways, with farms, orchards and forests on either side of you.
MA: What's the longest ride you've ever done?
JK: I've done several 100+ mile rides, including the Pan-Mass Challenge, which raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.
MA: What do you think about when you're out riding all alone?
JK: When I'm riding, I try not to think. That's my time to clear my head and relax. I sometimes ride in big groups and just stay focused on keeping up my speed.
MA: What is it that you like about cycling?
JK: I love the accessibility of cycling. If I want to play hockey, I need to pull together other players and find a rink. Outside of New England and a few other hockey hotbeds, hockey rinks are hard to find on short notice. But I can ride anywhere I happen to be. And I can ride with serious cyclists and really push myself, or I can ride with my friends and family just for fun.
MA: Do you race?
JK: I enjoy riding with talented cyclists and being challenged, but I don't enter races. The truth is that I'm pretty competitive and if I entered a race, I would do so with an eye to winning or at least not being embarrassed. But I know that I don't have the time to properly train for a race. So for now, I'm going to keep my amateur status.
MA: By all reports, you're a fast cyclist. How do you find the time to train?
JK: Compared to other U.S. Senators in their 60's, I may be considered a fast cyclist. But I don't think anyone is going to see me out riding and confuse me for Lance Armstrong.
MA: Do you think the bicycle could be used as a critical tool in fighting obesity and promoting wellness, curbing climate change and urban congestion?
JK: Obviously everyone is concerned with health, especially with kids. How do we make sports more available and accessible to them? Fitness classes and gym are some of the first things being cut out of local school budgets. In terms of cycling, we need to make sure urban bike trails are expanded and trails in parks and reserves are maintained.
MA: The Democratic National Convention Committee has taken an aggressive approach to "Greening the 2008 Convention" and there looks to be a free bike service available for attendees to get to and from the Convention. How likely is it that we'll see you traveling around Denver by bike?
JK: I would say there's an excellent chance you'll see me on a bike in Denver, and a good chance I'll disappear into this mountains for a good long ride one of those days! And if you're really lucky, I'll get a tandem bike and get Senator Kennedy to come along for a ride.
Cycling
