Cycling legend Lance Armstrong inspired hundreds of people to join him for a group bike ride last week, bringing the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire to a complete standstill.

Armstrong, who has been the champion of the Tour de France no less than seven times, used twitter to invite people to the event which resulted in around 200 people gathering on their bikes in the small town near Glasgow.

Fans crowded round the American star to take photographs and get autographs before embarking on the cycling adventure.

Alexander Sneddon, 41, who lives in Rutherglen, Glasgow, said: "It started off a little bit vague on Twitter saying, 'Hey Glasgow, Scotland, see you tomorrow'. I wasn't sure what to make of it.

"It just seems so incredible to be here and this is actually real.

"To be so close to the great man is unbelievable, he's such a hero".

Julie Watson, a 44-year-old nurse from Fife who has been cycling for 10 years, said: "It's a bit out of this world. It's quite dream-like. It's a chance in a lifetime to ride with my hero. He's an inspiration that I've followed for years since his cancer."

Of the spontaneous happening, Armstrong said; "We made up our mind to come and see a show two nights ago and I said, 'Hey, let's have a bike ride'."

He said his plans for a team in next year's Tour de France were "getting there". "We're probably halfway there," he added. When asked how many Tours he has left in him, he replied "one more" - but there was "no way" he would compete in London 2012.

After the group cycle Armstrong told fans through Twitter: "Thanks to everyone who turned up to ride in Paisley! I figured we'd have a nice ride for a dozen or so. But 100's came. Haha! Awesome!".