It’s Not about the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Winner of the William Hill sports book of the year. ‘Lance Armstrong’s story is the stuff of legends’ Independent. ‘Having nearly lost his life Lance Armstrong serves up his story for the rest of the world to wonder at, shudder at and learn from’ Guardian. ‘I want to die at a hundred years old after screaming down an Alpine descent on a bicycle at 75 miles per hour. I don’t do anything slow, not even breathe. I do everything at a fast eat fast, sleep fast.’ At twenty-four, Lance Armstrong was already well on his way to becoming a sporting legend. Then, in October 1996, he was diagnosed with stage four testicular cancer – doctors gave him a 40% chance of survival. On that day Armstrong’s life changed for ever and in typical fashion, he met the challenge head on – this was one fight he was determined not to lose. As he battled against the cancer invading his body and the chemotherapy that threatened to sap his soul, he focussed on his training and drew strength from the people around him who never gave up. Just sixteen months after Armstrong was discharged from hospital, he entered the Tour de France, a race famed for its gruelling intensity, and won, in the fastest ever time. Just a few months after that, he became a father. It’s Not About the Bike is the story of one man’s inspirational battle against the odds, charting his progress through triumph, tragedy and transformation. This is an awe-inspiring tale of immense courage and will.