Fellow Yalie and W. classmate Charles McGrath recently penned a NYT piece comparing the cycling proclivites of President Chimpy and presidential contender John Kerry. It’s quite amusing, yet sadly indicative of our country’s treatment of cyclists, to read McGrath’s as well as many pundits’ and bloggers’ vitriol involving Kerry’s Serotta. Just Google John Kerry and Serotta and read the snarkiness and venom. “Ooooh, look. Kerry is soooo out of touch with the working man. That blue-blood bastard rides an $8000 bicycle! And Ottrott, that’s a city in France. John Kerry speaks French, and he’s one of them damn socialists.” I say, how dare John Kerry support successful American entrepreneur Ben Serotta and buy a bicycle from his local bike shop (scroll down to read about Belmont Wheelworks). How dare John Kerry support homegrown technological innovation and retail outlets. How dare John Kerry support businesses which pay a living wage and give back to the community. You know what, I hope our President is smart, receptive to past times outside of American cultural norms and kudos to someone who can speak to foreign dignitaries in their native tongue. This is yet another instance of the dumbass-ification of public discourse by W. and his myopic, xenophobic ilk.

Did you notice the photo of W. in the NYT article? First off, how convenient that an American flag somehow found its way into the background. Besides that, I think W. made a conscious decision to be seen wearing running shorts and sneakers instead of cycling shorts and shoes. Most likely, Karl Rove told him his electorate wouldn’t consider such attire manly enough. Begrudgingly, I’ll at least give W. credit for utilizing a bicycle for exercise and enjoyment of his 1600 acre ranch. The problem is, few American citizens have the benefit of their own private cycling venue. What I’d really like W. to do is take a ride on public roads in Crawford, Texas without the benefit of his Secret Service detail, just one man riding a bicycle alone on Texas roads, and experience first-hand the shit storm hurtled upon him from the automotive menace whom W. panders to and calls upon for re-election. I’d love to see the expression on W.’s face when the first monster truck driver buzzes him off the road while the passenger nails his ass with a bottle. How I’d relish seeing W.’s beady eyes bug out of his head and that shit-eating smirk wiped off his face. And when he utters his VP’s favorite epithet “Go fuck yourself” to the offending behemoth the brakes will screech with glee, the reverse lights will come on, and a good old-fashioned ass kicking of W. goes down in the Crawford, TX boonies. Welcome to the everyday realities of daring to ride a bicycle on public thoroughfares, Mr. President.

I remember John Lieswyn’s account of meeting John Kerry at an Iowa campaign rally this past winter. While the cynic in me thinks Kerry would pander to the interests of anyone he’s conversing with, I was still heartened by Kerry taking an interest in Lieswyn’s career as a professional cyclist. I’m hopeful that a Kerry presidency would offer the promise of heightening our country’s awareness of cycling, especially road cycling, as a viable transportation option.