Comments on: Why I Ride: An Open Letter

By: Pavelu Bento

Pavelu Bento — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:16:17 +0000

Hey I just wanted to let you know, I really like the composition on your site. But I am using Flock on a machine running version 8.x of Xubuntu and the design aren’t quite right. Not a serious deal, I can still essentially read the articles and look for for info, but just wanted to inform you about that. The navigation bar is kind of difficult to apply with the config I’m running. Keep up the good work!

By: Navneet Rao

Navneet Rao — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:43:50 +0000

Lance, I follow one of your adages:

PAIN IS TEMPORARY, VICTORY IS FOREVER.

You have been an inspiration throughout my running and everytime I feel I am going through a low phase in my career / exercise / sports – I always remind myself this:

Remember LANCE – he endured and conquered PAIN and is not a QUITTER. So you should NOT QUIT. GET UP AND GIVE YOUR BEST SHOT.

Thanks for the inspiration, LANCE.

-Navneet

By: N. Gibran Benjamin

N. Gibran Benjamin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:20:02 +0000

Lance,
I have friends and family who have cancer and are still surviving and some I know have succumbed. You are a true inspiration in your perseverance. I have watched you during the Tour coverage and there could not be a better ambassador out there in the fight against cancer. I particularly admire that you take the long view in your answers to questions. Keep on keeping on! You are doing a great thing!
Gibran

By: Josepha Dietrich

Josepha Dietrich — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:43:58 +0000

Dear Lance,

I’ve been watching the Tour from my hospital bed (I was admitted with an infection due to my low immunity). I’m undergoing four months of chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer. Your story inspires me deeply. I’m 35, an ex-rock climber, I eat/live well (I’ll eat/live even better now), but my mother had breast cancer and I likely inherited a form of the disease.

I do feel hope for my future and it not being a short one. I watch you riding the Tour, and your drive to educate people about cancer as well as achieve a personal goal makes me reflect on my goals and what I want to achieve post cancer therapy.
I hope you win your eighth Le Tour de France.

Josepha.

By: Brian Lichtle

Brian Lichtle — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:39:18 +0000

Lance, thank you for coming back and doing everything. I am 19 years old and have an obsession of riding bikes. I am currently injured and just dream of rideing every chance I have. I think untill someone has a major event in their life, it is just taken for granted. I cant even tink about the event being cancer. Please keep ridin, and I will do the same. Together we can help make the dreams come true.

Live Strong, Brian Lichtle

By: anja

anja — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:08:55 +0000

Lance, all the best for the next stages in the tour, it’s an inspiration watching you ride!! The TDF is not the same without you. What you bring to the TDF with everything you do is what we need in this world. well done so far and holding thumbs for the yellow!! God Bless!!!

By: Bruno

Bruno — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:13:03 +0000

Lance

You’re my hero.
We have a few cancer cases in my family and I may be next. I’ll support your LAF!
greetings fom a big fan.

Bruno

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:03:34 +0000

Hé. I’m from the Netherlands, I follow the Tour every day on tv. I think you have the best reason to ride again. A girl from my school, lives in the same village as I do, has cancer for the third time. She is seventeen, a very sad story.
I hope you win the Tour, for the eight time. That would be just a wonderfull prestation, but you’re the one who’s deserving it.

God’s bless with the following weeks and with your Cancer foundation!

By: Nancy Gonsalves

Nancy Gonsalves — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:46:23 +0000

Lance, Thank you so much for making FIGHT to beat cancer a global issue. My family has put together a team for the San Jose Livestrong Challenge. 15 of us will be walking or running and one of us will be doing the 100 mile bike ride; his dad is going through cancer treatment for renal cell carcinoma. My brother had testicular cancer in 1977. The drugs that were used on you were tested on my brother. He lived 22 years then died of lung cancer. My sister has had breast cancer twice, and is a survivor. I lost a dear friend to breast cancer, the list goes on and on. We will continue to fight along side you until we win the race. Thank you and God Bless you

By: Dan McCoy

Dan McCoy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:58:16 +0000

Lance, I am constantly impressed with the things you do both in cycling and with LAF. You are the ultimate athlete and role model. My son asked me what cancer is, and can survive. I told him about you and you story.You now have a 8 year old fan that now knows there is nothing he can’t do if he puts his heart into it. Ride on, see you in Paris for number 8!!

By: Marco

Marco — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:21:37 +0000

i am from germany and i like to see you riding again!i wish you all the best and that you will win the tour for the eight time!!!greetings from germany marco

By: Thaeran Slattery

Thaeran Slattery — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:54:18 +0000

I am your number one fan from South Africa I hope that you will come and ride in our country some time .You are truly inspirational and amazing.
I hope that you win the Tour De France again this year just to shut those pesky French up once and for all.The way that they have treated you over the years is a disgrace considering that you truly put their race on the map in a spectacular way.They are quite ungrateful so the best way to show them is to win Go Mr Armstrong

By: Craig Dailey

Craig Dailey — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:38:16 +0000

Lance: Wheel up to Cavendish and tell him there’s something wrong with your bike – the chain is missing!…and then pass him by in the mountains, my brohtha’!Hincapie will smile too…

NO CHAIN – NO CHAIN!

You are the best sports/human story I have ever been blessed to witness in my life. I ride on my mountain bike up the big hills of Seattle thinking of things you said in your book: ‘It’s Not About the Bike’. And when I want to motivate myself or a riding companion, I yell No Chain!

Thank you – beyond words!

By: Laura Nadeau

Laura Nadeau — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:19:01 +0000

Lance – cant wait to see you in Athens!
Last year for Livestrong Day I organized a fundraising event called “Reuniting for a Reason”. Stella, my band that had been broken up for over two years, played a show and informed people about your foundation. I gathered names for potential recruits because Athens needs an Army. Hopefully I will have them in shape by the time you come through.

thank you for your positive outlook and ability to share what you have learned with survivors and their friends and families. you are truly a blessing in our lives.

laura nadeau

By: Niels

Niels — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:53:13 +0000

Great show today 3e at the 3e day.
inspiration to al poeple that are struggeling al long the way.peace and blesses to all .

By: Parimal Ghosh

Parimal Ghosh — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:50:27 +0000

Dear Lance,

Cancer is very strong, we got be stronger to FIGHT and DEFEAT cancer. I welcome your campaign to unite people and launch “Global FIGHT Against Cancer”. In India, we have united 29 Cancer Support Groups, formed ‘Cancer Care India’, the apex body, and launched the FIGHT since May 26, 2003.

You are STRONG, we wiil make you stronger to FIGHT and DEFEAT cancer. Looking forward to meet you at “Dublin Summit”.

Parimal Ghosh, (Survivor for last 13 yrs),
Founder General Secretary,
Cancer Care India,
D-2/2430, Vasant Kunj,
New Delhi-110070.
Tele:+91 11 26899707.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:37:57 +0000

From one cancer survivor to another………THANK YOU! I’ll be watching and rooting for you during the Tour. You and your story are an inspiration to us all.

By: Kelli Magargal

Kelli Magargal — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Lance,
Your books and foundation was grounding to my brothers and I when our mom was diagnosied with NHL 5 years ago, now with her in remission, our dad has just been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. The first thing we did was get our our Livestrong stuff. You are an inspiration and give us hope!!!! We are watching you and the Astana team everyday live at5:30am from from San Diego, ride strong and proud, our hearts are full of hope.
Kelli

By: Sonja

Sonja — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:26:32 +0000

Lance,

Go Lance Go… and show the world, that you should never give up. I admire your dedication to the sport and to your foundation, doing whatever it takes to bring your message front and center. You are an inspiration to us all. Would I like to see you win your 8th, ABSOLUTELY, but if not, it is wonderful to see you inspire the other riders to be their best, to be professionals and to represent the sport as true Champions, no matter where they Rank. Thank you

By: Grace D.

Grace D. — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:01:01 +0000

Like other cancer survivors, I will be with you all the way to every finish line. Hope you can feel our energy each day as we support your amazing efforts. All the Best Lance!

By: Hemanr Salunkhe

Hemanr Salunkhe — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:49:21 +0000

Way to go Lance, indeed a great moment to see you in the Tour-09 and not just there, leading in the front as u ever do…..You have been the force within to get up and ask people to get going ..on their own and not wait for things to happen………Make things happen……Just the right decision,Not to participate but Win the tour this year. All the best and lets see Yelloe gellow up their in Paris on 26th, a place where he belongs..All the best………….

By: Caden

Caden — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:29:34 +0000

Hey Lance,

I grew up knowing nothing in Cycling except that Lance Armstrong was going to cross the finish line first. Since before I could understand, or even talk, I grew up cheering for the yellow and for Postal.

And now, even with a different team, and a different cause, I still know you’ll fight ’til the finish, win or lose.

You’re doing a great thing with LIVESTRONG, keep it up.

Good Luck, and Best Wishes,
Caden

By: steven crespo

steven crespo — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:41:55 +0000

LANCE ES EL MEJOR DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS, EN LA BICICLETA Y EN LA CAUSA DEL CANCER TAMBIEN, EN PUERTO RICO USA ERES EL REY…

By: John Supak

John Supak — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:55 +0000

Thank you for the wake up call. You have given me more than you will ever know. Your story has touched me and awoken my spirit. You are true inspiration. GO LANCE!!!!!!!!!

By: Karin Lindner

Karin Lindner — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:02:02 +0000

Hello Lance,

It is so great to see your comeback. You make the Tour de France so much more exciting.
Besides that you are a fantastic athlete, I admire your spirit and strength to face this amazing challenge AGAIN.

Be the best you can be!!!

Many greetings from Toronto,
Karin

By: duncan burbidge

duncan burbidge — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:54:40 +0000

you’re an inspiration and i’ve not said that before. until i read your twitter i thought you were arrogant and daft.

have one pedal push from me on the ventoux

By: Frank Rasky

Frank Rasky — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:39:40 +0000

You?re a true champion. Your legacy will live on. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to a vital global cause, your inspiring perseverance in the face of great personal adversity and, above all, your passion for life and the exhilarating sport of cycling. Bon courage, Lance! Frank @tourdefrank in Toronto, Canada.

By: Deb Conroy

Deb Conroy — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:06:54 +0000

Lance,
As a cancer survivor, and one whose family and friends have been touched by cancer, you have my utmost respect and support. Who better to lead the charge for change and awareness! Thank you for all that you do. My husband and I will be watching and cheering you on every day of the tour. It just wasn’t the same without you!!!

By: Sherrill

Sherrill — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:18:51 +0000

Thank you, Lance. As a long lost 20 year ago cyclist I feel you are the USA ambassador. Your dreams and goal are all so wonderful and help everyone. My mother died a horrible death of cancer and one day I hope we find a cure. Way to go fellow Texan!!

By: Joe Dailey

Joe Dailey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:18:56 +0000

Thanks for being who you are and doing what you do, look forward to seeing you in the Alps near le Thule and in Paris and hope your wearing yellow on both days!

By: Mike Gath

Mike Gath — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:01:01 +0000

Thank you. I followed you because we shared a passion for cycling. I thought it was cool that we both resided in Austin and both shared the gems of Walnut Creek and the hills of Mt. Bonnell. Now I follow your fight because my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer two days ago. Thanks lance. Ride hard today and when you return, the chips and salsa are on me.

By: Tony

Tony — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:13:28 +0000

A true Champion is a supportor of their Fellow athletes.

You ride for a team and I hear you say on the News that you will ride for whoever the team is supporting. Quite often in the past that was you.

In Life you have battled and won your share of races against Cancer and now you ride for others. You give vision to what will become the biggest epidemic the world has ever known if we don’t get off our hands and tell the Leaders we have had enough of the pollutants that have been produced that cause the increase in this Disease.

LIVESTRONG and ride hard, for you are the spirit of every cancer fighter you have touched and it is their strength to fight that will speed your pedals when you need it too.

Down Under is watching at 4.17pm Euro Time
New Zealand
Tony

By: Mike Boehmer/Cincinnati

Mike Boehmer/Cincinnati — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:45:42 +0000

You are a true inspiration. My wife is donating a percentage of proceeds from her upcoming book about cancer survivors to your cause. Brother is riding in Pelotonia. Wife battling breast cancer recurrence. Keep on inspiring us and countless others.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:29:55 +0000

Love u lance!!

By: Stephen Smyth

Stephen Smyth — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:18:33 +0000

Your inspiration to the whole world is remarkable Lance. Your personal story together with your world class performance in sport has created a platform to change the mind of the world.

More power to you big man.

I’ll be supporting you all the way in the Tour starting this afternoon, and for the rest of my life.

Good luck

By: Nekada » learn from lance armstrong

Nekada » learn from lance armstrong — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:06:04 +0000

[...] please read lance armstrong “why i ride” open letter. [...]

By: Bo Bai

Bo Bai — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:02:05 +0000

Thank you Lance! You have done more than we can imagine for the anti-cancer career. I know in China, a lot of people here are suffering cancer, because their poverty, especially in small cities like my hometown.
as a student in college though, I hope I can help.
You have my support, and good luck. Keep healthy, please.

By: Martin

Martin — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:09:39 +0000

Lance,

You have my respect and support. Good luck and hope you’ll have three awsome weeks to come.

All the best!

By: Michelle Liptak

Michelle Liptak — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:31 +0000

With every Passing Mile, With every Stroke of the Pedal, With every Climb up the Mountain, You will Shower the World with Awareness. Your Strong Will , your Caring Heart, your Determination for what You Believe In Will be Heard. A Unity of Knowledge, and Giving will Form.
Thank You! for your Courage, Thank You for your Hope, Thank You! for your Strength. As you?ve once won the most difficult battle in your life, you continue to fight the battle for all. Linking One by One, Together We will All Fight the Battle of Cancer and Win.

Lance! You are truly an inspiration
Livestrong!
Michelle

By: shane

shane — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:57:34 +0000

Lance the world has to thank you and your livestrong team for the fight against cancer.
I want to help your foundation to my full extent how much or little that may be doesn’t matter as long as we don’t lose sight of the end result.
Again well done and thankyou, Im hopeful of seeing you on the streets of adelaide again next year.

By: Lorena Rojas

Lorena Rojas — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:42:03 +0000

I can’t still believe that I will meet My heroe. I have breast cáncer, I am on chemo, I’ve been brave but I have fears also. You’ve been My role model in this battle and I finally know that there is hope for those 28 million that need Help.
I feel blessed I could Help with such a wonderful mission.
See you in Dublin. Thanks for let me share this piece Of My life.
I appologize for my English. Despite frontiers and nationalities we speak the same language. HOPE
You Lance are great!
Lorena Rojas

By: Owen

Owen — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:33:07 +0000

Well done lance for making a great comeback in the tour, as an active cyclist on the comeback trail this year I know the difficulties you face,with the French authourities trying to stop you spreading the message of cancer by preventing you from riding, my mum died from lung cancer on new years eve 2005,it’s an evil illness we need more people like you, good luck in France!
Owen (Ireland )

By: Vlada

Vlada — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:09:57 +0000

Thank you, Lance, for being yourself.
Hope to see you at Champs Elysees.

Vlada, Ukraine

By: Paula Jordan

Paula Jordan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:52:17 +0000

Lance, THANK YOU for all you do. My yellow LIVESTRONG wristband has stayed on my wrist continuously for over 5 years now, reminding me everyday of the work that still must be done to conquer cancer. Lost my mom to multiple myeloma 25 years ago tomorrow when I was just 17 – a strange Independence Day for sure. I live with daily uneasiness over my own likelihood of contracting cancer based on my family history – when I ride that nagging fear and other worries are pushed away. You inspire me to keep striving and learning on the bike and in life.
You have many California supporters (great race in Nevada City on Father’s Day!) who will be cheering you on over the next 3 weeks… have a safe, fun, and STRONG race!

p.s. Can’t sleep – too excited – only 3.5 hrs. until the pre-race coverage starts! My sons (ages 5 and 3) will be watching every day also. Danny (the 5-year-old) already has 2 seasons of racing (mountain bikes) under his belt! He and his brother Connor had to move their giant Lance poster to the living room wall tonight, all set for the start of the Tour.

By: trisha barry johnson

trisha barry johnson — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:35:52 +0000

thanks for inspiring me! I am a 5 1/2 year brain cancer survivor… with 4 children.
THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO TO INSPIRE MY WHOLE FAMILY…TO NOT GIVE UP HOPE…
good luck in the race!

we are cheering for you!

By: sundar

sundar — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:20:55 +0000

Hi Lance….excellent post…Keep ur good work going!!!

By: Ivan

Ivan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:16:25 +0000

I couldn’t agree more, however we must not forget about many other people who suffer from other life threatning diseases or have long tern conditions that do not receive as much attention oer the same gold standard treatment as cancer.
threatning diseases and long term conditions that are often forgotten about and receive less publicity

By: Tom Scott

Tom Scott — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:04:06 +0000

Ride on Lance, in every way, as a cyclist, as an ambassador for combatting cancer.

I live here in Ireland and it’ll be a pleasure welcome you and your cause.

If you need free photo work get in touch, I’ll donate my services.

Kind regards & win that Tour!

Tom Scott

By: HosiaLVOT

HosiaLVOT — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:48:30 +0000

The power of a man. The power of all of us who fight for increased awareness of Cancer. If everyone demonstrated half of your passion and drive – a solution would be quickly found.

You make me proud.

Hosia

By: shubhajit

shubhajit — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:45:34 +0000

Dear Lance,

A leader is like a baby who depends on each member of a family yet he is always being the central attraction of every member.

You have shown an inspiring leadership and I’m feeling that you are great soul. God bless your initiative.

Sincerely,
Shubhajit