Surprise at turnout for Auckland bike ride with Lance Armstrong

Several hundred riders gathered at Mechanics Bay to ride with drug-cheat cyclist Lance Armstrong, who invited New Zealanders to join him on a fun bike ride through the streets of Auckland this morning.

Armstrong encouraged people on Twitter to meet him at Mechanics Bay at 6am today to do a "cruisy waterfront loop around Tamaki Drive and Cliff Road".

The crowd this morning was mainly adults but children were there too and the atmosphere was one of excitement.

Asked how the ride was Armstrong grinned.

"It was good."

He wasn't quite sure how many people there were but was happy with the turnout.

He said he's always surprised and humbled when anyone shows up - and he never knows what to expect.

He said it's nice to know he still has some support.

Throngs of people trying to get a selfie with Armstrong back at Mechanics Bay were moved by a police officer who said people at the Westpac Rescue Helicopter centre couldn't get to work with the crowds in the way.

Andrew Patterson came as a cycling fan and an Armstrong fan.

He said Armstrong's book, It's Not About the Bike, was an inspiration to his wife when she had breast cancer and he admired the work he'd done for charity.

He said despite Armstrong's fall from grace he had achieved amazing things in his time as a top cyclist.

"I think it came from the top. It's a real shame but I think they've cleaned it up now. I hope they have."

He said the opportunity to ride with Armstrong was too good to pass up.

Armstrong admitted to doping in 2013 and was subsequently stripped of his seven Tour de France medals.

The 45-year-old American arrived in New Zealand on Sunday to film a cautionary tale for Lion Breweries.

The brewery giant, which bottles beers such as Steinlager, confirmed yesterday it had brought Lance Armstrong to the country - but wouldn't say why.

However, an email sent to Lion staff - and seen by the Herald - said Armstrong was in New Zealand for a film shoot.

Photo / Tess Nichol

"We are using Lance to tell a cautionary tale called 'The Consequence', which depicts how much you stand to lose when you pursue success at all costs.

We wanted to highlight that actions have consequences and we couldn't think of anyone better to demonstrate that than Lance," the email said.

The cyclist was stripped of seven Tour de France cycling titles and received a life ban after confessing to benefiting from a sophisticated covert doping programme.

- NZ Herald