Lance Armstrong - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 07-21-2003, 04:10 PM

It's invigorating watching true athletes and champions compete. Lance Armstrong is obviously one such champion. Four Tour de France wins under his belt, and setting himself up for a much sought-after fifth Tour win. Despite being tumbled to the ground by an accidental collision on the sidelines, Armstrong attacked and pulled off an epic first place finish today in Stage 15 of the Tour. And you needn't look further than the Tour de France for a vivid example of sportsmanship. Quoted from Lance's official website regarding his fall: "He recovered as fast as he could and in a display of awesome sportsmanship the leaders waited for him to get back on."

Amazing. Inspiring. That's all I've got to say!

PS: Go read the first chapter of Lance's new book! It's pure Lance, and here's just a tiny excerpt: "You ask yourself: now that I know I'm not going to die, what will I do? What's the highest and best use of my self?" Indeed, what is the highest and best use of each of us... are we actively trying to live up to that?

Shannon · 07-26-2003, 09:01 AM

Just an update. More time trials are today in the Tour, but Lance has been reported as saying, "I feel ready to go... at the end of the day I do not want to look my team in the eye and say I lost the Tour de France - I'm going to go fast. I think the winning time will be a Tour de France record."

For some fun reading, check out the interview with Kristin Armstrong, Lance's wife and mother of his three children.

Shannon · 07-29-2003, 10:50 PM

A little belated, but obviously congratulations are due to Lance Armstrong on his historic fifth Tour de France win. (For ordinary human beings, just riding a bike for more than 30 minutes counts as historic... {raising my hand as one to whom this applies!})

Lance, in Words -- Extra Ordinary in Ways Unseen (Washington Post)

The Tour, in Photos -- Tour de France Photo Gallery (Washington Post)

and of course, the official Tour de France site!

For more on Lance (and links to his cancer survivors foundation), go to LanceArmstrong.com. I've always been a casual fan, just 'cuz Lance is a Texan and a survivor. But the more I've read about him, and in particular the more of his writing I've read, the more I've begun to want to learn more and share.

PS: Pay attention to cyclists on the roads and exercise courtesy. They are street legal too, and just because you drive a lift-kitted mud tire outfitted truck or a posh sports car doesn't mean you can harass cyclists -- casual and hard-core athletic riders alike -- on the roads. Just a PSA, based on some of the horrible wrecks I've heard cyclists I know share and some of the horrible wrecks Lance and other Austinite riders have documented over the years (and Austin's a much more "bike friendly" city than San Antonio, where I am).

Shannon · 09-04-2003, 09:08 AM

Now Lance's comment after winning the Tour this year makes sense. He said (paraphrasing), "It's been my most difficult Tour...for many reasons you know, and for many reasons you don't know."

From the AP wires this morning: Lance Armstrong & Wife Kristin to Divorce

kai · 09-16-2003, 08:43 AM

thats really sad that they are divorcing, esp. if you've read his book and realize how important Kristen was/is to him. not really a surprise though- they were seperated earlier this year or late last year, then got back together just in time for the tour. but sad, at least from the outside.

Shannon · 09-16-2003, 10:06 PM

They still both seem like classy folks (in the genuine sense, not a media-sensationalized sense).

Take Lance's comment to the Austin-American Statesman newspaper (9/4/03), for example:

Quote:

The craziest thing is, we're closer now and better friends than ever before...

We're truly committed to maintaining a good relationship, but not a marriage.

That's refreshing (albeit painfully honest) to hear, particularly for their three children.

In happier news, Lance's second book -- Every Second Counts will be released October 7. If anyone wants to purchase the book, doing so via this link (our Amazon.com affiliate link) earns WildTexas.com a small commission on each sale.)

kai · 09-17-2003, 07:41 AM

yea, that is really refreshing to hear. they have been really devoted to their kids, and remaining friends like that will be really helpful to their children, especially right now.

has anyone ever been up to see the ride for the roses? i think we'll be heading up to austin to check it out, and i'm wondering if theres something in particular we should NOT miss...

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