Demo is pedaling hard to win his race

ST. GEORGE — Democratic candidate Paul Van Dam's 500-mile bicycle listening tour is rolling along nicely through many of Utah's rural towns — unless you count those 10 miles of death-defying, the-brakes-are-gone-dear, moments of terror last week.

"I've had a lot of close calls, but that was really scary," said Van Dam, of a ride that started in the quaint ski town of Brian Head at 11,000 feet and then plunged sharply down a steeply, winding road that boasted a 13 percent grade. "My motorcycle racing skills kicked in and we just leaned into the turns. I burned all the rubber off one sandal."

Van Dam's wife, Mary Dawn, was sitting in the back seat of the couple's unique recumbent tandem bicycle when the downhill race began, he said.

"She just hung on and stayed calm. I quit looking at the speedometer after a while," said Van Dam, who is hoping to unseat Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, in November.

Mary Dawn's description of the harrowing ride is noted on the campaign Web site as are other running commentaries of the couple's experiences to date.

Over the weekend, the Van Dams met with potential voters at various city parks in Washington County, ate at local restaurants and discussed issues at a meeting hosted by a campaign supporter. Wherever they go, said Van Dam, people want to talk, and he listens.

"I think people actually pay attention to a candidate who listens to them," said Van Dam, who kicked off his month- long bicycle tour May 18 in Boulder. He's on track to finish the ride June 18 in Vernal.

Among the most pressing issues facing rural Utahns, said Van Dam, are education, the economy, health insurance and nuclear testing.

"Parents are frustrated with the increasing size of classes. What used to be great is now inflexible and frustrating," he said. "What Utah will always need, because Utah always will have more kids, is more money."

The federal government's No Child Left Behind program wasn't properly funded in the first place and continues to be underfunded, Van Dam said. "Utah's education system has graduated a higher percentage of kids with good grades and the government should reward the state instead of altering requirements."

Residents in Utah's rural towns are also finding it difficult to make a living, he said.

"In most towns the economic downturn is not over. If you pay people less, they spend less. It's a depressing downward spiral. Wages adjusted for inflation have not risen for 30 years."