Cyclist takes the hard route to health

(AP) - Sure, Lance Armstrong battled back from cancer to win the Tour de France five straight times. But what about cycling enthusiast Mike Magnuson?

The creative writing professor at Southern Illinois University isn't a world-class athlete, but he's accomplished his own long shot atop his bike.

Magnuson morphed from a 255-pound, beer-guzzling chain smoker into a smoke-free teetotaler who cuts a sleek figure in skintight racing suits and rides up to 70 miles a day.

He's now 80 pounds lighter and has written a book about his ride to health.

But Magnuson says "Heft on Wheels: A Field Guide to Doing a 180" isn't a how-to book and warns people against following his lead.

In the summer of 2002, he went cold-turkey with smokes and booze while consuming only three high-protein shakes a day and riding southern Illinois' hills in the summer heat.