So after this years LTDF I fancied reading some cycling literature to give me a bit of inspiration. I remembered a few mates recommending Mr Armstrong’s book so I got onto play.com and ordered a secondhand copy ( as i am a bit of a tight git). I haven’t gotten around to starting it and now I am beginning to wonder I should bother or not due to recent events.
So the question is, is it still worth a read?

Yes IMHO

I like a nice bit of fiction…

Its a good book.
I leant it to a friend of mine who had cancer as its pretty inspiring. Not sure if he read it, I never got to ask him.

Yes I think so.

It is a shit book whether he doped or not

Memmememememcancermememememcancermemememememdrugd testing meme,e,e,,e,e,cancer Etc

I really liked it, the second wasn’t so good/inspiring.

I didn’t really rate it though it’s an inspiring story. That said if you have it already and you’ve paid for it why not just read it? It’s not Paradise Lost and won’t take you long

So, lt’s a bit like an autobiography but about himself…? 🙄 😆

Good point, well made psling 🙂

A great book. Ignore the negative Charlie’s.

Yep, great book, well worth a read.

Yes, deffo

yep, good book.
having said that I’m not sure if recent events may change some aspects of the book – it’s good but it’s not memorable.

It’s not about the bike (it’s about the chemists). Reprint available soon.

It’s a book about a man surviving something I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to go through. However, nearly every single written word reinforces what a deeply unpleasant man he is. I bought this book when it came out as I was a huge fan of his from the early 90s, but wasn’t after I’d read it.
I hope that helps.

plumber and aP +1

Ignore the negative Charlie’s. Read it yourself and make up your own mind

worth a read

I preferred Mr Nice by Howard Marks. It’s about drugs too but in a more obvious way

RULE #4 // IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BIKE.
It is, absolutely, without question, unequivocally, about the bike. Anyone who says otherwise is obviously a ****.

I didn’t think much of It to be honest. I’d imagine Its a great read and fairly inspirational If you are going through what Lance did and If It gives people hope It’s worth a read.

I guess it’s Dan Brown quality fiction now…

“It’s all about the bike” by Rob Penn is a much much much better book – highly recommended!

It’s all about the bike

It’s a great read and gives you a great insight into how “driven” (for want of a better word) LA is.

nearly every single written word reinforces what a deeply unpleasant man he is.

^^^^for me, this says it. I got about 1/4 of the way through it and stopped.

Totally agree with Plumber

I chucked it away after about 2 chapters. You can basically summarise the whole book by visualising Lance standing in front of you, saying

“Do you know what? I’m absolutely ****ing brilliant, me!!!”

Repeat until bored

Read Brads biography instead. Now that’s a good read! Its a lot about his childhood with his dad who was a pro cyclist, and by the sounds of it, absolutely crazy ape bonkers!!! It’ll make you appreciate his achievements even more

The drugs conviction doesn’t make that much difference to the book. It’s about a guy who wants to tell you how f’ing awesome he is and how he beat cancer. The latter bit is interesting and a good read.

He’s summed up way before the drugs thing by one of the books other threads: my wife is awesome … could never have coped without her … the way she stood by me was incredible … she is fantastic …<book ends> oh look, there’s Sheryl Crowe, see ya!

Yup , He actually comes across as a complete bell end . The way he talks to nurses who are trying to help him made me want to stop reading. Read David Millars book instead .

I thought it was great, I read it pre tour and pre scandal blowing up and if you take it at face value it’s an inspiring story and it gave me an appreciation of the tour that I wouldn’t otherwise have had not being a roadie of any note.

Oh and have to say I’m on the innocent until proven guilty side of things and I’m saddened that so many are trying to ruin the guy.

I thought it alright – I’ve read far worse. Then again I’ve always thought time spent reading is rarely wasted*

*Stephen Fry’s book The Liar is my most recent exception to this rule – utter drivel

Both Lance autobiogs are okay to read, but IMO the best Lance-related book is John Wilcockson’s 27 Days in July… if you get over the fact that JW is clearly in love with his subject.

great book

Definitely yes, the second book isn’t as good as the first but that’s not what you are asking.

If I recall the first book talks about the – then legal – blood doping used by the US Olympic team.

I bet sales have spiked in recent weeks!

Drugs beat cancer 🙂
Drugs beat everyone else 🙁

I read it a few years back as a cycling noob and completely neutral towards Lance. He comes across as an unlikeable bell-end.