Kimberly's Reviews > It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

It's Not About the Bike by Lance Armstrong
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really liked it

Talk about an inspiring book. He didn't hold back any details when it came to his treatment and struggles with cancer. It makes his accomplishments with the Tour de France that much sweeter in my mind hearing what he went through. I think my biggest take home from the book is that your mindset and attitude towards struggles can make or break you.

I will say that he also showed signs of being quite arrogant and prideful, but in his defense lots of competitive athletes are. If they're not going to believe in themselves and say how great they are who will? Also since the book was written, he divorced his wife that he spoke so highly of and how much she meant to him.

They met after cancer which I always thought they had met before and after a strong connection she stuck through his ups and downs of returning to racing and getting back on the bike post cancer. I found her to be pretty amazing quitting her job and supporting him and his dream by moving to Europe and making a home for his crazy lifestyle during training. Not to mention she went through the emotional roller coaster of having a baby through in vitro since he was infertile from the chemo.

So I won't say that after reading the book I developed a high level of respect for his overall character in relation to his personal life and how he reacts and treats people. I found those aspects to be very unappealing.

Regardless of these flaws he never gave up and he looked at cancer as something that was going to push him and help him to grow instead of his ultimate death. It's no wonder why he's been so accomplished in his career with a mindset like that. Also who doesn't know about his efforts with Livestrong and his cancer awareness? I think he has tried to give back and make a difference and for that he gets bonus points back for what he lacks in my point of view in personality.
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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
November 14, 2008 – Shelved
November 24, 2008 –
page 60
20.41%

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