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DEL.ICIO.USOf bicycles, tight pants and the distance between Savannah and the Capitol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Savannah, Ga. — What comes to be called fearlessness — or, when the gamble fails, willful recklessness — varies from profession to profession.
For Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, a politician whose Gainesville roots scream NASCAR, the moment of truth came early Sunday morning.
Seconds before the lieutenant governor climbed onto a titanium bicycle that cost more than many of the stock cars his neighbors worship, Cagle dropped his baggy gym shorts to reveal a pair of Lance Armstrong-style black tights.
Then the novice cyclist, a duffer by inclination, led a Spandex-clad mixture of rank amateurs and world-class professionals on a spin through the coastal Georgia countryside — a fund-raiser for cancer research.
The weeklong Tour de Georgia begins Monday morning with a 70-mile sprint from Tybee Island to Savannah.
But for the first time in the tour’s six-year history, a politician is calling the shots. Last fall, Cagle was named chairman of the state board that owns the nationally ranked but financially troubled road race.
Cagle at the end of his ride, ignoring Michael Dukakis. He pedaled 17 miles in an hour and a half.
Risk permeates the enterprise for Cagle, personal and otherwise. There is the sartorial issue, of course. Ever since Democratic presidential failure Michael Dukakis climbed into that tank and popped up in a dorky helmet, politicians with any ambition have been wary of new uniforms.
But Cagle is trim, certainly not overweight, and carried off the Sunday change of clothing with only a smattering of self-consciousness. Besides, he’s got nice legs.
Cagle, on the right in his Discovery shirt, with world-class cyclist Mari Holden on his left.
For the lieutenant governor, the larger peril comes with putting himself in charge of a multi-million dollar sporting event that has a thousand moving parts — never mind the competing athletic egos.
“Some people have called me crazy,” Cagle admitted as he pedaled. He’d added some extra padding to his narrow bicycle seat — in cycling circles, the equivalent of hanging fuzzy dice on a Formula One car.
Mari Holden, the women’s 2000 world time trial champion, who grabbed a silver medal in the Sydney Olympics, rode beside Cagle much of the way, offering advice on when and how to shift gears. (Things have changed since Cagle’s last bike, a Schwinn ten-speed.)
“People like me have to be careful about what we get involved in,” Cagle said. Earlier this year, the lieutenant governor’s participation in a charity for children from broken homes devolved into an ugly fight over control of the non-profit.
The Tour de Georgia is a larger enterprise, with terrific promotional potential for the state in the long-term — if it can be rescued. The race was nearly canceled last year for lack of corporate sponsorship.
“It’s too important to the state to let it go. But honestly, I’ve assumed an enormous amount of risk. I had to raise $3 million in a very difficult [legislative] session,” the lieutenant governor said. “And all the things that could go wrong….”
Things like the weather or injuries. Or doping scandals.
So why take that risk? “Public service always about giving back. And this is a great way to give back for a good cause” - Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a major beneficiary — “and also promote the state. It’s just the right thing to do,” Cagle said.
And it may be the politic thing to do for a man of ambition.
Sonny Perdue has remade the way a governor of Georgia climbs into office and stays there. The first Republican governor of modern times has established a populist persona for himself outside the state Capitol — which Cagle may be attempting to emulate.
Apparently immune to the Dukakis virus, Perdue has worn funny hats, even a bulbous, red clown nose. He’s driven race cars, UPS trucks — nearly anything that moves.
When 236 lawmakers gather in the Capitol each January, other governors have slept on a couch in the office to monitor dozens of hatching conspiracies. Perdue keeps himself at arm’s length.
His trip to China this year was different only in the actual mileage the governor put between himself and the Legislature.
This has led Perdue’s critics to call him disengaged. But the insulation is calculated. Despite several recent sessions of the Legislature that have been less than glorious, the governor has escaped blame — and remains the most popular political figure in the state.
On the other hand, Cagle — for the first time in his two years as lieutenant governor — felt the sting of criticism when the Legislature collapsed this month in a heap over transportation, tax cuts and the creation of a statewide trauma network.
If it takes a bicycle to put some distance between himself and squabbling at the Capitol, a tight pair of pants may be worth the risk.
Comments
By Gulf War Vet
April 21, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this
If there is any doubt left in the minds of Americans about the state of economic War that exists between us and the Arab/Islamic world, read the following from the London Times:
Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil producer, has put on hold any plans to further increase long-term production capacity from its vast oil fields, its most powerful policymakers have said.
In a series of statements, including one by the king himself, the kingdom has warned consumers it does not reckon there is a need for further expansion, an assumption disputed by the world’s biggest developed countries.
The cost of one barrel of oil now cost $117 and it is expected to rise even more.
We invaded Iraq/Afghanistan and the Arab countries are retaliating by driving the cost of crude oil beyond the limits of our economy.
Should the American economy begin to crumble under the weight of this economic burden placed upon it by the Arab nations, I have no doubt that this will lead to all out open Warfare.
And I’m talking World War Three.
By Larry
April 21, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
I understand that radioactive oil yeilds more miles per gallon, so I think WW3 is a win/win.
By buck naked
April 21, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing, say it again.
By mike
April 22, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Cagle for doing something that is good for the environment and fun. Bike commuting is something that is practical and useful. As long as you live within 10 miles of work, the ride is doable. Learn how to fix flats and enjoy the exercise and weather. I have been doing it for nearly 30 years and probably 100,000 miles. The girls still wolf whistle at my spandex! Woo hoo!
By jimmy
April 24, 2008 3:15 AM | Link to this
Typical AJC reporting; “The weeklong Tour de Georgia begins Monday morning with a 70-mile sprint from Tybee Island to Savannah.”
It’s about 15 miles from Tybee to Savannah. The reporter probably got it wrong because he’s used to Atlanta’s traffic where the time it takes to traverse 15 miles makes it seem like 70 or more. It also could be that all that fresh air near the ocean clouded his thoughts?
But…the AJC fact-checker, as usual, is down again.