A Gary Johnson campaign adviser said the Ames straw poll isn’t of interest to the campaign. Johnson chooses bike race over Ames

Saturday’s straw poll will be a race for most of this year’s GOP candidates, but Gary Johnson will have his eyes on an actual finish line.

While most of his opponents descend on Ames, the former New Mexico governor — an experienced triathlete who has climbed Mount Everest — will participate in the Leadville 100, a 100-mile high altitude bicycle race through Colorado. The course starts at 10,500 feet and climbs to more than 14,000 feet.


“I actually get to take a few days off the campaign trail to go and compete in the Leadville 100 mile mountain bike race Saturday morning,” Johnson tweeted late Thursday.

In a statement, Johnson campaign adviser Ron Nielson said a “pay-to-play straw poll” isn’t of interest to the campaign.

“The Ames Straw poll has much more to do with organizing bus loads of supporters than it does with ideas and solutions to our country’s economic problems, or the even the electability of candidates,” Nielson said.

Both Johnson and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer — who weren’t given spots on stage at the debate Thursday night or on Saturday’s ballots — are focusing their efforts on New Hampshire. Roemer’s rented an apartment there and Johnson has frequently said he’s placing “all his chips” on winning the New Hampshire primary.

Roemer’s campaign director, Carlos Sierra, said Roemer will spend Saturday speaking at the Hillsborough County GOP’s monthly meeting, as well as a meeting for the Sandown Republican Committee.

Roemer will spend the rest of the afternoon calling New Hampshire voters.