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It’s Not About the Bike
By James | January 7, 2007
Today I finished reading It's Not About the Bike
I started reading this book knowing virtually nothing about him. The first few chapters caught me by surprise. Young Lance Armstrong wasn't very likable; he was cocky, agressive, and he showboated. This kept me reading on - as surprised as I was by Armstrong's annoying personality, I was relieved that he wasn't the innocent, care-free pre-cancer cliche.
Of course, as the book progresses, Lance becomes more likable. He's very frank and honest about his life, his attitudes, and even the most embarrasing details of cancer and treatment. His never-ending agression becomes an asset that sees him through some very dark days.
Eventually the cancer is in remission, he meets and marries Kristin Richard, and then goes on to win Le Tour de France, the most prestigious road bicycle race in the world, twice in a row (then five more consecutive times after the book was published).
I'm very glad I read this book. Lance Armstrong seems to have an innate "never give up" attitude that I admire, and that I strive to have my self. Though I haven't been through cancer, I'm familiar with moments in which it seems like all is lost, that there is no point in continuing… but you continue anyway.
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."–Lance Armstrong