Bush Suffers Cuts, Bruises While Biking

Sunday, May 23, 2004

(4:07 AM ET)

By Deb Riechmann

Associated Press Writer

President Bush waves as he arrives in Austin, Texas for a graduation celebration for his daughter Jenna Bush Saturday, May 22, 2004. The President fell while mountain biking on his ranch this morning and scraped his chin, lip, nose, cheekbone, palm and knees.

Image Credit: Gerald Herbert -- AP

CRAWFORD, Texas -- AP
President Bush suffered cuts and bruises early Saturday afternoon when he fell while mountain biking on his ranch, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said.

Bush was on the 16th mile of a 17-mile ride when he fell, Duffy said. He was riding with a military aide, members of the Secret Service and his personal physician, Dr. Richard Tubb.

``He had minor abrasions and scratches on his chin, upper lip, nose, right hand and both knees,'' Duffy said. ``Dr. Tubb, who was with him, cleaned his scratches, said he was fine. The Secret Service offered to drive him back to the house. He declined and finished his ride.''

Bush was wearing his bike helmet and a mouth guard when the mishap occurred. Duffy said he didn't know exactly how the accident happened.

``It's been raining a lot and the topsoil is loose,'' the spokesman said. ``You know this president. He likes to go all out. Suffice it to say he wasn't whistling show tunes.''

Bush left Crawford shortly after the bike mishap for Austin, where he was attending a private party of his daughter, Jenna, who graduated from the University of Texas earlier in the day.

As he departed from the presidential helicopter with his wife, scrapes were visible on the president's right temple and on his chin. Close-up shots taken by photographers revealed other scrapes above his lip and on the end of his nose. When he waved to the crowd greeting him at the airport, a small bandage could be seen on his right palm.

Earlier this month, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry took a spill from his bicycle while riding with Secret Service agents through Concord, Mass., about 18 miles north of Boston. Kerry fell when his bike hit a patch of sand. He was not injured.

Told about Bush's mishap, Kerry said, ``I hope he's OK. I didn't know the president rode a bike.''

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