ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lance Armstrong was Born on September 18, 1971 he was raised by his mother
Linda, a single parent, in their hometown of Plano, Texas. Gravitating to sports at
an early age, Lance won the Iron Kids Triathlon at 13 and became a professional
triathlete when he was just 16 years old. In 1999 Armstrong won the Tour de
France, setting a new record for speed. By winning the four most important stages
of the race, the three time trials and the first mountain stage, he earned a place
among the great Tour winners of history. Only four cyclists before him had won
the three time trials.

In October 1996 Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. He

underwent three operations and one of the most aggressive forms of chemotherapy
available. Describing his bout with the disease as "a special wake-up call,"
Armstrong became a spokesperson for testicular and other forms of cancer and
founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation-a non profit organization established to
benefit cancer research, awareness and early detection. In 1997 he was declared
cancer-free.

In 1998 Armstrong married Kristin Richard. On October 12, 1999, Lance and
Kristin celebrated the birth of their first child, Luke David Armstrong.
INTRODUCTION

“It's Not About The Bike” is Lance Armstrong's autobiography detailing his life
growing up in Texas with a single mom, a bike and a passion for riding. He
overcomes many hardships to become a famous world-class athlete only to face the
possible loss of it all to brain and testicular cancer.He survives the surgery and
endures grueling chemotherapy and cancer fighting protocols. Only through his
will to live and fierce determination to race again does he overcome cancer and the
psychological ravages of the disease

Lance Armstrong, one of the world's most famous cyclists, shares the story of his
life, his battle with cancer, and his amazing victory over it. Lance wanted to be a
cyclist racer since he was a kid growing up in the suburbs of Austen, Texas. His
road to success was a difficult one, but hard work, perseverance, and lots of
training helped him to achieve his dream. He had become one of the best and then,
at the age of 25 and on top of the world, he was hit with the diagnosis: testicular
cancer.
At first, like most healthy young men and especially athletes, Lance ignored
occasional headaches and some other symptoms. When he began coughing up
blood, he knew something was wrong, so he turned for help. The first doctor Lance
called was a friend; he thought it was a sinus condition, so Lance did not get a
serious warning he needed and undertook no treatment. He was getting worse, so
the friend referred him to a specialist, and after many tests the true diagnosis was
given. Things did not look good. The cancer had spread and reached the lungs and
the brain. Lance was told that the treatment would require a brain surgery, and that
he had a 40% chance of survival. (Later on, when Lance was cancer-free, the
doctors admitted that they had lied to him: his real chance was only 3%).

It looked like his cycling career was over for good, and the only thing left to do
was to take pain killers and try to enjoy whatever time he's got left, but Lance was
determined to fight for his life and for his passion of a cyclist. He overcame fears
and despairs and went through the treatments. His progress is described in the
book. Lance had fully recovered, and not only that he went back to cycling. Two
years after his recovery, he won the Tour de France race."
WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS BOOK
This is one man's story of incredible challenge of digging down deep for inner
resources in managing and conquering cancer. Lance refused to become a statistic
and instead rallied and became cancer's worst enemy. He refused to give in and
chose to fight the disease with all that he had. I admire his love and admiration for
his mother, who continues to be one of his strengths in his life. He was fortunate,
as well, to have loving friends support him throughout his entire ordeal.

"The one thing the illness has convinced me of beyond all doubt - more than any
experience I've had as an athlete - is that we are much better than we know. We
have unrealized capacities that sometime only emerge in crisis. So, if there is a
purpose to the suffering that is cancer, I think it must be this: it's meant to improve
us."

The book chronicles the emotional and physical changes Lance undergoes as he
triumphs over cancer as well as his emotional coping both during and after. This is
a book of true courage and determination. Lance set up a foundation to help other
cancer patients manage and survive their cancer. Lance lives his mother's
inspiration of "make every obstacle an opportunity."

Lance proves that the power of the mind, combined with taking control of one's
disease, seeking different opinions and doctors, and becoming an expert on the
topic can help one overcome and conquer cancer.

This is book is an excellent, poignant, and emotional testimony to one man's faith
and determination. Finishing this book, I have nothing but admiration for Lance
Armstrong. Thanks Lance for being an inspiration to everyone and with your work
with cancer patients. The world needs more role models like yourself !
SUMMARY

The beginning of the book is filled out with Lance's recollections of his formative
years, his indomitable single mother's unstinting efforts to improve their lot as well
as Armstrong's early days of racing. We meet his agents, his international cast of
friends and colleagues. Armstrong even offers some tantalizing hints at the fierce
chess-like moves required of riders and agents in the heady echelons of world class
racing. For those who don't follow the sport closely, this peek behind the scenes of
international bike racing is enough. The main event in this book is the fight for life.

The most telling chapters are about chemotherapy. In these chapters, Armstrong
lays it out forthe uninitiated. He pretends no heroics, he tells it exactly as a patient
sees it. The cure is horrific, make no mistake. But there is heroism in the telling.
There is a wonderfully drawn portrait of his oncology nurse, LaTrice Haney. Lance
jokes with her when he can talk at all, he tells her about his bike and she allows
him to be human in the midst of his pain. Hers is the best kind of nursing. We meet
Jim Ochowicz, Lance's friend who tirelessly tries to distract him during the chemo
marathons in the hospital. Heroes abound in this book. If we need to be taught
about friendship and compassion, these are the teaching chapters.

Then there is life. In Armstrong's case, his cancer was gone after a year. He could
start to rebuild and recondition himself for the road ahead. He attacks the project
with the style of the athlete he is. He suffers the post-cancer existential survivor
questions and rides through them. He begins a new relationship, falls in love with
Kik, his future wife and acts like a guy again. In the pursuit of normalcy he is also
one of us. The wedding, the longed for baby and the triumphs follow, but Lance
Armstrong will never forget where he has been.
It's Not About the Bike is non-fiction and not for everyone. If you have an interest
in the spirit and resiliency of the human mind, read it. You will learn something. If
you have a friend or a loved one who is touched by cancer, read it. There is
comfort here and hope.