Lt. Gov. Jim Risch declared the day 'Kristin Armstrong Day'
Less than one week ago, Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong was racing outside Beijing, winning the women's time trial more than 24 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
Saturday, her victorious ride through Downtown Boise was more leisurely, but had an intensity all its own. This time, admirers, not competitors, were the ones trying to stick close.
Gold medal tucked into the back pocket of her cycling jersey, riding the same bike on which she won the time trial, she led a throng of thousands - the mayor's office estimated 1,700 bikes and many more people - on a ride from the Downtown Boise YMCA to the steps of City Hall.
Among the riders were 8-year-old Caleesta Carpenter, a slip of a girl in a silver helmet and Hello Kitty T-shirt, and her dad Jacob.
"I have two daughters and have raised them on my own," said Jacob Carpenter. "Armstrong is the kind of role model I want them to have."
The girls want to be bike racers, and Caleesta is already talking about training.
"That will mean riding my bike in the park. A lot," she said.
At City Hall, Armstrong received many honors, including the Key to the City from Mayor Dave Bieter, who asked her to autograph the back fender of the red '69 Schwinn he rides to work. She obliged.
"I'll never wash this bike again," quipped the mayor.
Lt. Gov. Jim Risch was also on hand and formally proclaimed Aug. 16, 2008, "Kristin Armstrong Day" across Idaho.
Standing in for the ticker tape of a traditional hero's parade were some 500 white T-shirts given to the crowd, emblazoned with a photo of Armstrong biting the edge of her medal.
That medal is the first Olympic gold brought home by a Boisean.
But Armstrong's long history in town, as a triathlete and a teacher at the Y before she became an Olympian, meant that the celebration had an unassuming, hometown character - one that might be harder to come by in another kind of city or around another kind of athlete.
United Dairymen of Idaho, one of Armstrong's sponsors, was handing out chocolate milk, after all. It is Armstrong's favorite recovery drink.
Armstrong said her fellow world-class riders often ask her why she lives in Boise.
"It's my little secret. But if they were here today, they'd know why," she said. "I know I would have gotten support coming home with a medal or not."
Emily VanSickle, 9, and her mom, Sandra, rode their bikes to the Y Saturday.
Emily was one of the lucky 500 who got a T-shirt, and she put it on immediately. Her history with Armstrong goes way back, to when Armstrong taught her to swim.
When Emily heard Armstrong had won the time trial, her reaction was, "Hey, isn't that Kristy from the Y?"
Emily, who likes to study history in school, had no idea that her old teacher was such a serious athlete.
She just remembers that Armstrong was fun - a teacher who brought a giant floating ball to the pool on the last day of class and challenged Emily to jump on top.
She didn't quite make it - but she tried.
Anna Webb: 377-6431