Lake Massabesic, New Hampshire (CNN) – Politicians often seek to portray youthful vigor, but at age 76 Congressman Ron Paul may have to work harder than others.
He showed Friday he's up to the challenge.
Paul, who famously rides his bicycle for exercise throughout the sticky, sweltering summers in Houston, Texas, invited some New Hampshire staffers and reporters on an hour-long bike ride around scenic Lake Massabesic outside Manchester, New Hampshire Friday afternoon.
The sun was shining, a breeze was blowing, and the temperature in the North Eastern state was a temperate 72 degrees.
"It looks like the temperature's about perfect," Paul said, when a reporter asked if he missed the Houston humidity, though he noted summer workouts weren't all bad. "I think when you ride in all the heat and humidity you burn calories faster."
The wiry fiscal iconoclast tries to walk three or four miles in the morning and ride ten to 15 miles on his bicycle in the evenings. He reported his resting heart rate was 58 to 62 beats per minute and his blood pressure was 120 over 70 or 65.
Before kicking off, Paul spoke to a small group of reporters who were not dressed for riding. The long-time congressman, who hosted a town hall in the first-in-the-nation primary state Thursday night and has spent time retail politicking here, said he welcomed the visit of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Labor Day.
"The more the merrier," he said. "They just divide up all the opposition. They don't take votes from me."
He said he was surprised and encouraged by the groundswell of support for his campaign in New Hampshire.
"Each time I come up here we get new people, new support," Paul said. "The crowds get bigger. We always plan to have a little gathering, get 50 people together, and sometimes we get hundreds of people together."
After the ride, Paul careened back into the parking lot without having broken a sweat. He joked that during the hour ride he'd covered 32 miles (it was actually about 7.4).
Asked by the media if the ride might serve a metaphor for his campaign, Paul happily obliged.
"We're in good shape and ready and raring to go," he said.
From CNN Politics
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I hope I'm in as good shape physically when I'm 76. And as for his ability to do a good job as President, all I can say is I'm going to take a closer look at his voting record and where he stands on the issues that are important to all Americans and give him some serious consideration.
looks like the same guy with him from the last election.
Paul is a good man.
Glad to see him on a bike. He is the only one running for president who is not for sale. He has my vote.
Ron/Rand, '12...
Ron Paul is the most honest candidate from either party when it comes to stating his positions and sticking to them. Unfortunately, most of his domestic positions would be disastrous for America. You may not agree with him or vote for him, but on several levels, you gotta respect the man.
"Those morons might want to try wearing a helmet. Or will that infringe on their freedom too much?"
Haha I kive in Holland everybody rides a bicyle from the youngest kids to the oldest ladies, over here we laugh at people with helmets, it's like a game of "spot the tourist".
Bike trail built and maintained by the government, on a bicycle built in china, wearing clothes made by child labor in El Salvador.
" Is that a girls bike he is riding"-Dr. Me;
That bike cost more than your car! Ron Paul 2012 baby!
If Ron is on the ticket, I'm voting for him, and I'm a Democrat. I'm voting for the guy the press HATES ON the most, because that person is the one they are MOST afraid of. The one they LOVE is OBAMA and look where we are now. Hope and change? More like broke and jobless. Thank you CNN, you can thank your friend Obama for bringing your ratings down!
Ron Paul is the man. Not only is he the most brilliant presidential candidate, he realizes it's important to stay in great shape. He has my vote in 2012, and not because he's in great shape, but because he's the only one with real solutions.
As another commenter already pointed out,the ride was more like 8.5 miles but I'm sure that was just an honest mistake(sarcasm).If corporate owned media and big business hate this guy so much its a definate sign that average people like me should like him.
Ron Paul is the only choice for our freedom and liberty. We all need to support him. If anyone has any doubt about Ron Paul it only takes once to check him out and you will understand all the support he gets. Respect the constitution and read it. Ron Paul's vote is for the constitution.
Anyone that posts with an alias "GOP Reality Check" just admitted to being part of the two party paradigm. When will people realize that it's not about Republicans or Democrats? It's about wrong and right, corrupt or honest, for the people or for themselves. The only reason Ron Paul is running as a Republican is because the system doesn't allow an outsider to become President. The only way for him to get his point across is to join a party.
In reality, it doesn't matter what party he runs as. He's America's only hope for a rebound from the extreme condition we're in. So my message to all of you citizens that are trying to be loyal to your party is this: many others in your party are starting to realize that Ron Paul is the man we need, and they're swallowing their pride in order to do what it takes to get him into debates with Obama and hand this country back to the people. Swallow your pride and join the cause of Freedom & Liberty, it won't make you a traitor, it'll make you an honest American that did the right thing.
The man steals my heart a little more every day! Go Ron!!!!
Way to go Dr. Paul!
It always amazes me how the haters start ouf slamming Ron Paul for anything that is not related to Ron Paul's campaign positions. I bet he scares these paid liberal media shills to death.
Let common sense prevail. Get rid of the sacred cows that those feeding at the Washington troughs are now trying to protect at any cost.
Ron Paul – the only rational choice in 2012. The rest are conventional unthinking ignoramus political balloons spewing hot air that will keep status quo until everything crashes. I don;t know about you, dear reader, but I'd like the US to get back on solid footing.
I don't particularly want to learn Chinese to survive do you?
Sadly, Ron Paul is a Republican, and that brand is more toxic than Yucca Mtn. His age, and association with the morally and fiscally corrupt criminal Republican party renders him unelectable.
David Weiner – you effete pansy. If you're so afraid of falling off your bike, maybe you should put the training wheels back on.
Still waiting to see his long form birth certificate.
If Ron Paul got rid of the GoP he might stand a chance, but only if he can lose the smelly GoP holier then though stench they spew....
Ron Paul has my vote.
Obama is a smooth talker but has done nothing to improve the economy. Businesses are sitting on tons of cash but still are reluctant to hire because of too much uncertainty. He is almost into his 4th year of his presidency and now he is about to come out with a plan for jobs. A little late in my opinion. Playing politics.
All of the other Republican candidates offer the same old same old crap. The system is broken ($14,000,000,000,000+ debt) and something needs to be done. 4 more years of Obama or a Republican other than Ron Paul will just be more of the same.
It is refreshing to see the grassroots movement behind Ron Paul. The fact that the big corporations and national media are ignoring him makes me like him even more.
Leave it to democrats to knock an old man for exercising.
What happened to the anti-war liberal? I forgot, liberals believe the only way to spur an economy is to kill people overseas and raise taxes. Worked out real well for us so far.
Vote Ron Paul 2012. End the wars, end the fed, and end the federal income tax. I'd bet those that want to work but can't find a job would find one in less than a year following that policy.
They had to send a crew after him because he forgot how to get back to where he started ! TOO OLD , TOO SENILE , TOO CRAZY !
I love this guy! He's more active than I am, & he's definitely the most intelligent, qualified candidate in the presidential race! Kudos to Dr. Paul!
Great job, Ron. Riding a Cannondale, a Canadian-owned bicycle company? I realize the majority of the parts on just about any bike are made overseas, but the US headquarters some great bike companies. Do some research, Ron!