Cyclists flock to join hero on Park spin

CYCLING champion Lance Armstrong brought Dublin’s rush hour traffic to a halt yesterday when he took a spin through Phoenix Park.

More than 1,000 cyclists – many in work suits – rode from across the city to join the seven-times Tour de France winner for the impromptu ride announced on Twitter.

Armstrong, who is here for a global cancer summit, said: “For me, I like to ride my bike anyway, so on a very simple level it’s a very sunny, beautiful day in Dublin and I’d be going for a bike ride anyway.

“The story is, it’s a great city and it’s a great park. It’s a great evening to go out – it’s really sunny, but it wasn’t just about the cycling here.”

Reacting to the thousand-plus turnout, he warned the craze he started in Scotland last week will not be repeated in every city he visits. “I don’t think anyone can top Dublin now after this,” he said.

The 38-year-old Texan was mobbed on arrival as adoring fans pushed and shoved to the front, hoping to share a few metres 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 7.30am on Twitter.

“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.

All ages, shapes and sizes of fans, on all manner of bikes, joined the four-mile (6.5km) ride. Even the city’s rickshaw riders clocked off early for the one-off tour.

From more than an hour beforehand, streams ofcyclists poured from every corner of the city en route to the park.

Paul McQuaid, owner of Phoenix Park Bike Hire, said his business was flooded with calls moments after the announcement on the micro-blogging website.

Mr McQuaid, 41, who comes from a family of champion Irish cyclists, said he was donating all his takings from the day to Armstrong’s cancer foundation Livestrong.

Mounted gardaí were on duty corralling anxious cyclists away from rush-hour drivers in an attempt to keep the park moving.

Armstrong finished the bike ride around 7.20pm, having covered around 22 miles (35km) – three times the distance scheduled for the spin.