updated 12:37 p.m. ET Aug. 18, 2009

GLASGOW, Scotland - Lance Armstrong brought traffic to a standstill Tuesday after issuing a Twitter invitation for Scottish cyclists to join him on a casual bike ride.

“Hey Glasgow, Scotland! I’m coming your way,” Armstrong wrote. “Who wants to go for a bike ride?”

More than 200 rode in pouring rain when the seven-time Tour de France winner turned up in the Paisley district of Glasgow.

“It’s a chance to meet lots of people,” said Armstrong, who was set to watch Irish rockers U2 play at Hampden Park later Tuesday. “We made up our mind to come and see a show two nights ago and I said, ’Hey let’s have a bike ride.”’

Joining Armstrong on his ride was former world champion Graeme Obree.

“It’s fantastic — I know my friends will be jealous,” said Obree, who broke the 1-hour distance record in 1993 and 1994. “He does have such a draw.”

Among the amateur riders was 44-year-old nurse Julie Watson, who has been cycling for 10 years.

“It’s a bit out of this world,” she said. “It’s quite dreamlike. 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.”

After the ride, 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!”

Armstrong told reporters he would compete in next year’s Tour de France. After coming out of a three-year retirement, Armstrong finished third in this year’s Tour.

He said he has no plans to compete in the 2012 London Olympics.

Also on NBCSports.com Out of Bounds: Katrina survivor pens hit Saints song Rosenthal: Colts will be team to beat next season NBA: ProBasketballTalk is here! Check out new blog NCAA BK: Who's in, who's out? Updated bracket projections Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM OTHER SPORTS

Other sports Section Front

The most important black athlete in existence the Grio: 100 black history-makers in the making Andrews stalker had 16 other victims, feds say 17 years later, Jones and Hopkins to fight again Roddick’s wife on cover of SI swimsuit issue   Video: SI's swimsuit issue is big business Pac-10 giving ‘serious evaluation’ to expansion Riley, Conradt on Hall of Fame Board of Governors Globetrotters play game on ice rink in New York Afghanistan hopes to defeat America - in cricket Other sports Section Front   Add Other sports headlines to your news reader: