 |
|
|
|
|
| 4/7/2009 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | 'The Amazing Race' crosses Cortez
Steve Grazier
Journal Staff Writer
A popular host of a major television-network program biked through Cortez Monday as part of his "amazing race" across America to promote health and wellness.
Phil Keoghan, who hosts The Amazing Race on CBS, visited with about a dozen locals at the Cortez Cultural Center on Monday morning before resuming his first bike tour across the United States. His approximately 3,500-mile trek started March 28 in Los Angles and is slated to run through May 7, ending in New York.
"It's been rewarding," Keoghan said about the ride so far through five states. "We've got a grueling schedule and have gone through four sets of tires, but it forces you to slow down and say hello to people.
"I love meeting people who are proud of their community."
Keoghan and his crew of seven riders arrived in Cortez about 6 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, the goal was to ride 102 miles along U.S. Highway 160 to Pagosa Springs via Durango. Later this week, the team will ride through Saguache and Fairplay before arriving in Denver on Thursday.
Before reaching Cortez, Keoghan's team made a pit stop in Kayenta, Ariz., on Saturday.
CBS frequently conducts live video feeds on its morning program, The Early Show, updating viewers on the team's progress, Keoghan said. A CBS television crew is documenting the adventure.
The reality-television show anchor is trekking across America to promote healthier living and wellness, raise awareness for multiple sclerosis and advocate for GNC's NOW One Square Meal health bars, which don his signature.
"I thought the best way to promote the (health bars) as one-square meal would be to do an adventure and eat them," said Keoghan, who is an active member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "But this idea is to create some buzz around MS as well."
Keoghan, 41, has averaged about 100 miles per day and spends about six hours each day biking between stops during the tour. He said he and his team have reached speeds of 56 mph with the wind at their backs, and have pedaled through various wind gusts that have "slowed us to a crawl."
According to his book, "No Opportunity Wasted," Keoghan has a quite history of accomplishing unique goals and taking the occasional risk after he experienced a near-death experience at 19. Since that time, he has broken a world bungee jumping record, gone diving in the world's longest underwater caves, had a meal on top of an erupting volcano and renewed his marital vows while underwater.
The Amazing Race hosted by Keoghan is a reality television game show, in which 10 to 12 teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting-personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams for a $1 million prize. The show is in its eighth season on CBS and airs on Sunday evenings.
On the Net: Phil Keoghan's bike tour across America, www.philridesacrossamerica.com; The Amazing Race, www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race.
Reach Steve Grazier at steveg@cortezjournal.com.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
|
