Cancer taught me a plan for more purposeful living, and that in turn taught me how to train and to win more purposefully. It taught me that pain has a reason, and that sometimes the experience of losing things-whether health or a car or an old sense of self-has its own value in the scheme of life. Pain and loss are great enhancers.

It's ironic, I used to ride my bike to make a living. Now I just want to live so that I can ride.

My mom was such a strong character. I don't want to say she was like a man, but she was tough.

We are much better than we know.

We each cope differently with the specter of our deaths. Some people deny it. Some pray. Some numb themselves with tequila. I was tempted to do a little of each of those things. But I think we are supposed to try to face it straightforwardly, armed with nothing but courage.

But, listen, Eddie Merkyx would have won six Tours if he hadn't been punched.

Made plenty of mistakes along the way - all of which I am truly sorry.