It's not about the Bike

I was awe at the wonders and capability of human fighting back spirit against all odds.Nothing is impossible. That's what it felt like after reading the latest book by world famous cyclist Lance Armstrong. It is sort of short biography ...though I would say not in full as the book was published in 2001 and a lot has happened in Lance life after that. The book covers Lance earlier years being brought up by a very strong and supportive mother, the hardships she faced as a single parent raising a child , how biking became his profession , his ascent in international arena and then about a tragic halt brought in a booming career by being diagnosed with Cancer . The prostrate cancer being in advanced stage by the time it got diagnosed , though symptoms appeared earlier but he had ignored it. He details out in depth of what all he had to go through as part of the cancer treatment and how he fought his way back to recovery. He explains out the medical jargon in a very simple layman language. After recovery how he fought his way back....initially just giving it up ...but because of his friends and wife's determination got back into cycling. The period referred to as survivor ship where he describes how after becoming physically fit again it was much difficult to get back mentally into the world again. One complete section then details out the first Tour de France (most prestigious event in cycling world , a test of endurance of pain and hardship) victory, the rivalries, the tactics and the growing and disturbing press attention.

I had never read much about bicycling nor about cancer so I had a lot to learn in terms of knowledge on both. One of the my famous quotes from the book as taught to Lance by her mother " You never quit".

After diagnosed and cured of cancer Lance wanted to do something for other and so he opened Lance Armstrong Foundation. He has a site of his own (link).