Lance Armstrong has been a loyal Twitter user since his return to the professional ranks earlier this season.
From the birth of his youngest son, Max, to the 140 character or less duel with 2009 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, Armstrong uses the social networking service as his own personal news flash platform.
In a surprise Tweet, the American has invited his Twitterati on an impromptu bike ride in Glasgow, Scotland. Armstrong is “in the neighborhood” because he will be taking part in the Tour of Ireland later this week.
In his first post, Armstrong said: “Hey Glasgow, Scotland! I’m coming your way tomorrow. Who wants to go for a bike ride?”
A couple of hours later he Tweeted: “Hey Glasgow – ride’s at 12 noon. Location tbd. Stay tuned! Still dialling it in. And yes, I have my rain coat!”
Finally, after a serious buzz in the virtual cycling world, the seven-time Tour de France winner announced the ride would start at the Ashtree House Hotel, Paisley, at 1200 BST on Tuesday. Several hundred people showed up to ride with the cycling champion, and perhaps with an unofficial homage to the Irish Tour – a new record for impromptu ride participants in their own Guinness Book of World Records.
The 37-year-old returned to competitive cycling this year after retiring in 2005. He finished third in the 2009 Tour de France, and has vowed to return in 2010 with his new RadioShack team to make another attempt for win number eight.