Armstrong thanks city for cycle

Over one thousand people turned out in Phoenix Park to cycle alongside Lance Armstrong

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong brought Dublin to a standstill when he took a spin through Phoenix Park.

More than 1,000 cyclists joined the seven-times Tour de France winner for the ride, after it was announced on Twitter earlier on Tuesday.

After the cycle, Armstrong thanked those who took part on Twitter.

"Thanks Dublin!! What a great park and a cool ride with all of you. I heard a 1,000 plus came out. I'm speechless. Gotta love a good bike ride!" he wrote.

Speaking at the event earlier he said that the craze he started in Scotland last week would not be repeated in every city he visited.

"I don't think anyone can top Dublin now after this," he said.

The 37-year-old Texan was mobbed on arrival as fans pushed and shoved to the front, hoping to share a few yards of the famous park with one of cycling's all-time greats.

Armstrong sparked speculation earlier in the week about a bike ride through the streets of Dublin, when he remarked on his Twitter page that he "sure would like to go for a ride" through Phoenix Park - Europe's largest urban park.

Fans wasted no time making arrangements to join their hero as soon as he confirmed his plans shortly after 0730 BST.

"Good morning Dublin. Who wants to ride this afternoon? I do. 5:30pm @ the roundabout of Fountain Rd and Chesterfield Ave. See you there," he tweeted.

When Norman and Leslie Hayes from Newtownards received the tweet, the decision for them was simple.

"I had a feeling he might do something because he's here for a week and I turned on the computer this morning and the twitter just popped up. So we got in the car and down we came," said Norman.

Leslie said it was an experience that she "would not have missed".

"As soon as we heard about it, it was 'let's see how quickly we can get down'. What are the chances of ever getting to ride with Lance Armstrong again," she said.

Tom McLean from Downpatrick thought a ride through the park would be the perfect end to 11-year-old son Daniel's school holidays.

"Unfortunately all the other plans at home had to be shelved for today," he said.

"Hopefully it's raining and the wife won't notice the washing isn't done."

Charity

Armstrong was in the Republic to compete in the Tour of Ireland and to host a three-day cancer conference in Dublin involving world health experts and researchers as well as politicians from around the globe.

He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 25 and has undergone several treatments for cancer since then.

Armstrong returned to competitive cycling this year after retiring in 2005. He finished third in the 2009 Tour de France.

Paul McQuaid, owner of bike hire company, said he had had one of his busiest days in history but would see none of the profit as he was giving all proceeds to the Livestrong foundation.

"The phone has been ringing non-stop from 10 seconds after that tweet went up," he said.

"We are also getting e-mails from Japan, Australia, Toronto, Seattle - all over the world - just wishing us luck."

Last week, Armstrong caused similar havoc in a Scottish town when he decided to invite the public to join him on an afternoon bike ride.

About 200 people gathered in the centre of Paisley, Renfrewshire, to applaud, cheer, photograph and cycle with the American star.

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