Lance Armstrong

He's toured the world and won an unprecedented 7 consecutive Tour de France races with number 7 in July 2005 marking his retirement from professional cycling. But when it's all said and done and he wants to go and train or relax, Lance Armstrong still calls Austin his home sweet home. And just as much as Austin affects his life, he affected ours.

Early Years in Texas: Lance Armstrong was born in Plano, Texas (a town north of Dallas) on September 18, 1971 and was into sports no sooner than he could walk. At the age of 13 he won the Iron Kids Triathalon and by the age of 16 had gone professional in cycling. By 18 he was so busy with his career that he almost didn't graduate high school. By 1996 Lance was the No. 1 ranked cyclist in the world. And this was before the cancer and the year-after-year wins at the Tour de France that made him a household name.

Cancer Strikes: After moving to Austin, Lance was diagnosed with testicular cancer and fought hard to survive. No one thought he could fight the odds but not only did he conquer a cancer that spread to his lungs and brain, in 1999 he conquered the Tour de France - a three-week, 2300 mile bicycle race through the mountains of France. He was dubbed, "The Comeback Kid."

Fighting Cancer and Promoting Health & Fitness: His fight against cancer and victory over it caused him to spread the word about cancer and its effects. After much deliberation he decided to start the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This foundation helps to raise cancer awareness and help others dealing with cancer. He also started the the Race for the Roses (October 21-23, 2005 in Austin) and LIVESTRONG Galas and Rides raising money for local charities and getting more people pumped-up about getting up and exercising.

In 2005 Lance Armstrong and 24 Hour Fitness joined forces rechristening area facilities as 24 Hour Fitness Lance Armstrong Sport Clubs, the first being the 24 Hour Fitness in the Hancock Shopping Center. Lending more than just his name, these facilities feature large indoor Lance Armstrong cycling rooms along with other health and fitness amenities and unique Lance Armstrong decor.

"Cancer was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. It nearly killed me, but instead it made me a better athlete," Armstrong says today.

“I really believe in the work 24 Hour Fitness is doing to help as many people as possible through health and fitness. They fight the good fight and truly care about their members’ lives. Fitness has been a significant part of my life and a critical component in my comeback from cancer,” shared Armstrong. “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to share the benefits I’ve seen first-hand of a healthy lifestyle with so many people through my relationship with 24 Hour Fitness.”

Always at Home in Austin: Despite his contributions to and renown in the Austin community, Lance still declares that he has benefitted more from Austin, mostly because of the fact he can escape the European press and because Austin's bike trails and the people riding who give him support along the way have made the people of Austin his family, and Austin his permanent home base no matter where else he travels in the world or where life after the Tour de France may take him.

Books By and About Lance Armstrong:
It's Not About the Bike
(My Journey Back to Life)
by Lance Armstrong


Every Second Counts
by Lance Armstrong


The Lance Armstrong Performance Program
(The Training, Strengthening, and Eating Plan Behind the World's Greatest Cycling Victory)
by Lance Armstong


]Lance Armstrong
](Historic Six-Time Tour de France Champion)
by Austin American-Statesman, Editor Susan M. Moyer


Lance Armstrong's War
(One Man's Battle Against Fate, Fame, Love, Death, Scandal, and a Few Other Rivals on the Road to the Tour de France) by Daniel Coyle


Live Strong
(Inspirational Stories From Cancer Survivors From Diagnosis to Treatment and Beyond)
by Lance Armstrong Foundation


No Mountain High Enough
(Raising Lance, Raising Me)
by Linda Armstrong Kelly


Lance Armstrong
(The Race of His Life)
by Kristin Armstrong


A Significant Other
(Riding the Centenary Tour de France With Lance Armstrong)
by Matt Rendell


Lance Armstrong
(Images of a Champion)
Foreword by Robin Williams


Inside the Postal Bus
(My Ride With Lance Armstrong and the U.S. POstal Cycling Team)
by Michael Barry