Lance on Tour

Catching up with Lance Armstrong isn't easy. Last week he was riding across the country – from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. – with the Tour of Hope cyclists (www.tourofhope.org), raising support for cancer research. Armstrong rode with the relay team of riders as they zigzagged across the country talking to people about the importance of clinical trials in the fight against cancer. Armstrong took a few minutes to reflect on the foundation that bears his name.

Austin Chronicle: What do you think was the key to the rapid success of the LAF?

Lance Armstrong: Great support from the community and a wonderful staff, and perhaps the success of me and my teammates on the bike brought more attention to the illness and the foundation.

AC: When you were sitting around that table at Z'Tejas with Bill Stapleton, John Korioth, and Bart Knaggs back in 1996 talking about creating a foundation, did you ever imagine that the LAF would raise $22 million in a year?

LA: No, I thought we would be lucky if we raised $22 a year. But it was not about that – it was simply about something that I thought had to be done and hopefully something that would affect at least one life.

AC: When you retire from racing, do you think you will be more involved in the day-to-day operations of the LAF?

LA: Absolutely. I look forward to getting off the bike and being involved on a daily basis in all aspects of the foundation.

AC: What does "Live Strong" mean to you personally?

LA: Live Strong embodies this whole notion of living life to the fullest, attacking each minute, yet being focused enough to take it all in.