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

The book is correctly named, for it really is not about the bike. Those hoping for a more initimate tale of spokes, wheel arches and tour tactics may be disappointed. Whilst there is detail and description of what is, after all, Lance's raison d'etre, it is not suffocating to the uninitiated. What remains is the very vivid and human story of a man who overcomes cancer, with all the bravery, self-pity, depression and hope this creates.

The book begins with Lance's relatively deprived childhood. He is at pains to point out the sacrifices and love of his mother, but is quick to dismiss any male influence in his upbringing. What emerges is a cocky, self-sure athlete at odds with his peers and surroundings in Texas, and keen to take up the mantle of professional cycling in Europe. Had the book continued in this vein then there would little to differentiate it from a mass of other sporting biographies.

But at the cusp of success fate has other ideas for young Lance. Whilst constant pains and aches are a condition of the professional cyclist, Lance begins to notice a constant dull ache in his testicles. Dismissing them at first as a result of training he is forced to go to a doctor when they become impossibly painful. By this time Lance's testicular cancer has entered a dangerous third stage, and spread to the brain.

What follows is the heart of the book, the story of a man facing mortality at a very young age. It is touchingly open, gritty at parts, self effacing and wonderfully open. As well as the bravery and hope you get enough doses of childishness, self-pity and despair to make this a very real, very human account. The person who undergoes the sickening treatment without asking 'why me?' at least everyday is closer to god than mortal.

The treatments are also described in detail, partially as a result of Lance's desire to leave no part of the journey untold, but also as a by product of his prodigious desire to learn all he could about the condition. Once the disease is firmly in remission, and Lance has resumed his cycling career this knowledge is taken up to become part of Lance's life mission - to educate and fundraise for cancer. Seeing the beginnings of this mission which has culminated in the hugely successful "Live Strong" campaign is illuminating, as the desire to make a difference becomes a lynchpin to Lance's personality. Lance's willingness to share the praise to his colleagues and mother is heart warming, and they emerge as great people, willing and needing to be with Lance throughout his condition. On the flip side Lance spares no vitriol on those who doubted his recovery or, in his mind, deserted him.

The book is not without criticisms, and like most contemporary biographies there is a discernable agenda. Whilst it is not the self congratulatory tome I feared, there is a tendency to hammer home the difficult background and the overcoming of social, economic and personal adversaries. Then again if one can't have a little dig from the pages of a biography, then when? Some might find the book's style a little homely, a little cosy and at times a little honest. This is not great literature in a classical sense, but is instead a direct appeal to the heart and mind. The great rider's no-nonsense personality shines through, and realistically any other writing style would have been false.

This is a slice of real life, taken from the story of a young man who lives through a horrifying disease to become an inspiration to millions. The book does this tale justice, and is a satisfying and inspiring read.


Amazing   January 23, 2003
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Really there are little other words needed to describe this book. I was given it for Christmas, started reading it on Christmas evening and had finished the day after Boxing Day. I could not put this book down. From cover to cover it just keeps you engrossed. Detailing Lance's struggle against testicular cancer and his fight back to health it is a riviting read. Despite it being obvious Lance would recover well, given his amazing feats in the Tour de France, this book just cannot be put down. I defy anybody to read the first chapter and decide they've had enough. I now lend this book to anyone who will listen to me and everyone has enjoyed it. Lance comes across as a bit of an American show-off, but you can't help feel a great deal of admiration for him. He is truely an amazing person. If there is one book you have to read before you leave this planet - this is the one. Buy it.