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Bush falls off mountain bike { May 23 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=515726§ion=newshttp://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=515726§ion=news
Bush falls off his bike
Sun 23 May, 2004 05:06
By Caren Bohan
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush has suffered minor abrasions after falling off a mountain bike while cycling on his Texas ranch, the White House says.
The 57-year-old Republican president had cycled 16 miles of a 17-mile afternoon bike course on Sunday when he toppled over while riding downhill on what the White House described as soil loosened by recent rainfall.
"He had minor abrasions and scratches on his chin, upper lip, his nose, right hand and both knees," White House spokesman Trent Duffy told reporters.
Bush's physician, Dr. Richard Tubb, was with the president at the time. Tubb attended to his injuries and later reported Bush to be "fine," Duffy said.
When Bush stepped off the Marine One helicopter in Austin later on Saturday an abrasion above his right cheekbone and another prominent scrape on his chin could be clearly seen. He had a Band-Aid on the palm of his right hand.
The president, smiling and looking relaxed, paused for photographers as he got off the helicopter before heading to a local restaurant to celebrate his daughter Jenna's graduation.
The facial scratches and abrasions come two days before Bush is scheduled to make a major prime-time televised speech on Monday to lay out his strategy for Iraq, as the troubled Middle Eastern nation approaches a U.S.-imposed June 30 deadline for handover of sovereignty.
A White House spokeswoman said the accident would not affect the president's speech, which the administration has billed as an address to a "global audience."
"There is no change," she said.
AILING KNEE PUTS BUSH ON BIKE
Bush was in Texas to celebrate Jenna's graduation from the University of Texas. He and first lady Laura Bush were scheduled to fly to Connecticut on Sunday to celebrate the Yale graduation of Jenna's twin sister, Barbara.
The president, who has publicly complained about having to cut back on running because of a sore right knee, took up mountain-biking as an exercise alternative, aides have said. Bush had a knee examination last December that showed wear and tear to the joint.
Bush's rival in this year's presidential election, Democratic candidate John Kerry, who fell off a bicycle and grazed his hand earlier this month, wished the president well after learning of Saturday's spill.
"I hope he's OK," said the 60-year-old Massachusetts senator, who took a bike ride in Boston on Saturday but managed to stay upright.
Bush, who was wearing a safety helmet and mouth guard when the mishap occurred, declined the offer of a car ride home from Secret Service agents and instead pedalled the remaining mile to his house, Duffy said.
"It's been raining a lot. The topsoil was loose," the White House spokesman noted.
Bush was the subject of a presidential safety scare in 2002, when he fainted after choking on a pretzel while watching a football game on television.
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