Well I knew it wouldn't be long till I found myself talking about bike books and their writers. Well I am a librarian so its in my nature I guess. There are lots of books out there whether fiction, Journeys, Training, biography's etc. Today I'm going to pick on just one book. Lance Armstrongs - It's Not About The Bike. I read it a while ago now at the mid point in Lances Tour de France winning flurry. Let me make one thing clear, this is not a book review. I'm sure you can find plenty of those for yourself on the Internet.......or read it yourself perhaps?! You may already have. Did you like it? Good for you.
The book Its not about a bike was a welcome present and I was keen to learn more about this hero figure. The book itself is as the title suggests not about his riding but talks about his discovery and battle with cancer and his eventual win of his first tour.
It was the first book I'd stopped reading half way through.
By all rights I should have absorbed this and read it in a matter of days like I have other cycling books since. However, I just didn't. It's not that this is bad book. By all means his fight is impressive inspirational even. Its because something in me stirred (no I didn't need the toilet) I had grown to actually dislike Lance. At the time saying that out loud amongst cyclists I feared some kind of mad persecution......crucifixion even. Seriously though, he just came across so arrogant, forceful, aggressive. It was his way, selfless in his battle and determined to get his own way at all costs. What an arse. This is the kind of person in real life I would just avoid and not want to be around. OK, this is probably what it takes to get over cancer or become a champion. But this type of person could no longer be a hero to me.
I have ever since been an Armstrong cynic. I don't care whether or not he took drugs or if others think he did. Even if he did, he still beat others behind him who were also taking stuff so it would have been a fairly level playing field. It's his aggressive nature and take no prisoner attitude that grate. Take his unnecessary chase down of Filippo Simeoni on stage 18 of 2004 Tour de France. He didn't have to chase down this group attack but purely did because Filippo had spoken out against Michele Ferrari in an allegation to do with drugs and Lances association with him. Armstrong later said he did it with the approval of the peleton for speaking out. A peleton no doubt to afraid to speak out in case of receiving similar treatment. Armstrongs hold on the Peleton was strong and he took no crap from anyone. To get a taste of this type of pelton, Jeremy Whittle in his book Bad Blood (a really good read) talks about the last stage of this 2004 tour. Filippo not happy attacks early in the race whilst The Jersey leaders are supping champagne. (odd I know) Lance has to throw his away to get his team to chase down this attack. Filippo is eventually caught but is given bad treatment even by his Italian team mates, he is shouted and abused at and eventually comes over the lines spit from other riders covering his body. Grim.
I like Simeonis saddle he used to have. A picture of Lances face on it so he could shove his arse on it when he went riding. I liked to think he still rides that saddle.
So there you go I don't like Lance. Its not hate. He's an amazing rider. Period. I'd just liked to see him brought down a level. Part of me would like to see him loose his upcoming trial. Be found guilty of drug taking and stripped of his Jerseys. That might bring him back to earth. Would help if those bloody Lanceophiles would stop putting him on a pedestal. (read his twitter and facebook pages) Seriously guys get out of the texans arse.
Lets find real heros of the pelton.
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