We are giving away a signed copy of Lance Armstrong’s newest book Comeback 2.0. To have a chance at winning Lance’s book Comeback 2.0 Up Close and Personal simply do the following:

• Comment on this post about your thoughts on Lance Armstrong’s comeback and if he will be able to pull off the win in the 2010 El Tour de France
• Post this blog post on Twitter or Facebook. For Twitter click the on “Tweet This Post!” link below

We will be selecting the winner on Friday, December 18, 2009.

Comment on this post and Ride-Strong.com will be selecting a

Winner of a FREE Lance Armstrong book.

“No champion has astonished the world quite like Lance Armstrong. Yet few know the complete story of this brash, smart, and fiercely competitive Texan who battled to the top of his sport, overcame the most rampant case of testicular cancer doctors had seen, and then conquered cycling’s Holy Grail seven times.

In Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion, John Wilcockson draws on dozens of interviews with those who know him best to trace Armstrong’s remarkable, yet controversial journey in vivid detail.

Family members-including his adoptive father speaking publicly for the first time-recall Lance’s humble origins in the backstreets of Dallas, the father he barely knew, his single mom’s struggle for survival, and her second marriage that brought a move to the suburbs and new opportunities.

His childhood friends and early mentors remember how he moved on from Little League baseball and football to excel at swimming, running, and triathlon, while living the life of a teenager who loved fast cars and pretty girls. They also describe the circumstances that eventually led to his taking up cycling.

As Lance’s fierce ambition drove him from the dusty plains of Texas to the snowy peaks of Europe, he was both admired and derided. He intimidated his rivals, earned the respect of his teammates, and astounded everyone with his extraordinary deeds.

But his achievements have consistently been dogged by allegations of doping and secrecy, and questions of how triumph on such a grand scale could even be possible.

This compelling story is intertwined with the stories of those who helped shape his life and career, including his mother Linda, ex-wife Kristin, and one-time fiancée Sheryl Crow, along with those of his mentors, coaches, and friends. Their voices, along with those who helped him expand his cancer foundation into a worldwide movement, are integral to his unique story.

This book also reveals details, many for the first time, of how Armstrong’s legendary training, near-fatal bout with cancer, repeated doping allegations, and hostile European media all pushed him to reach the pinnacle of his sport and rightly claim the title of the world’s greatest champion.

“A fascinating, very well put-together portrait full of insights into its subject’s personality….Wilcockson – one of the most experienced of cycling writers -  is particularly good on Armstrong’s troubled upbringing in suburban Texas… The adult dramas – the rise to cycling prominence and his domination of the Tour, the cancer and the setting up of his cancer foundation, his marriage, fatherhood, divorce, and his relationship with Sheryl Crow – are better known, but in Wilcockson’s hands they remain rich in the re-telling, and much is added to our understanding of a tumultuous life.” – The Independent

Author John Wilcockson has written for Outside and Men’s Journal, among other publications. He is the author of 23 Days in July, one of ESPN’s “Top 10 Sports Books of the Year,” and lives in Boulder, Colorado. Follow John’s Twitter at www.twitter.com/johnwilcockson. For more on Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion,  including an excerpt, Tour Map, videos and reviews visit www.lancearmstrongbook.com.”

A BIG THANKS to Sean Maher for hooking up Ride-Strong.com with a FREE book to give away to one of our lucky readers!

The Columbia ordinance, which is modeled after similar ordinances in South Carolina and Colorado, makes it a misdemeanor to do the following: throw an object at or in the direction of a cyclist, threatening a cyclist to frighten or disturb the cyclist, sounding a horn with the intention to frighten or disturb a cyclist, knowingly placing a cyclist in the path of physical injury, or knowingly engaging in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical injury for a cyclist.

For more on this story, click on link.

For a good book on cycling law check out the link below.

I enjoyed your book and will use it during my USA travels – Chris Carmichael, personal coach of 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong

Author John Summerson has written a must read book for climbing aficionados, race directors and those that aspire to test themselves on the biggest climbs in the U.S. – DailyPeleton.com

Below is a list of some of the top cycling climb bike rides that are listed in the book Best Cycling Climbs In The US. The book lists the 100 toughest USA road bike climbs from 1 to 100.

1. Mt Washington, NH
2. Haleakala, HI
3. Onion Valley, CA
4. Horseshoe Meadows, CA
5. Mt. Equinox, VT
6. White MTN, CA
7. Mt. Baldy, CA
8. Mt Graham, AZ
9. Mt. Lemmon, AZ
10. Palomar Mountain, CA

What is your favorite climb? Map it on www.roadbikerides.com and then comment on this post.

Looking for a place to train during the winter months? Tucson, Arizona is the place to be.

6 reasons why Tucson, Arizona is the best place to train during the winter months.

1. Tucson’s Shoot Out is the best group bike ride in the country according to Bicycling Magazine. Many top pro riders can be found on Saturday’s Shoot Out ride. For a map of the ride check out this link: http://www.roadbikerides.com/ride/view/shootout_/77
2. The weather is awesome! Yes the mornings can be a little chilly the average temperature during the day range from the 60′s to 70′s.
3. Mt Lemmon Climb. The climb up Mt Lemmon is one of the best climbs in the US. Lance Armstrong trained in Tucson and was found climbing up Mt Lemmon on a frequent basis. http://www.roadbikerides.com/ride/view/mt_lemmon_/117
4. For all you triathletes out there Tucson has one of the best master swim programs in the country call Ford Aquatics Masters Swimming.
5. Some great early season races. The Valley of the Sun Stage race is a great early season stage race which is set for February 13th to 15th.
6. Tuesday morning FairWheel Bikes group ride. This is a crazy fast 36 mile group ride. Be prepared for some suffering. www.roadbikerides.com/ride/view/fair_wheel_bikes_tuesday_group_ride/5062

If you are coming to Tucson to train check out A Guide To The Best Bike Rides In Tucson Arizona.