Just in case someone would like to try to meet Lance Armstrong, he'll be in Madison and Milwaukee on Tuesday, March 4.

Here's the story:


Cycling champion Lance Armstrong will visit Wisconsin next week to campaign for a statewide smoking ban.

That's the word from the American Cancer Society and Gov. Jim Doyle's office.

Armstrong is a seven-time Tour de France winner.

He'll join Doyle at a smoking ban rally at Madison's Monona Terrace on Tuesday.

Armstrong and Doyle also are scheduled to hold a press conference in Milwaukee.

The state Legislature is considering a ban on smoking in all public workplaces, restaurants and bars.

But the ban has bogged down under opposition from tavern owners.

Hip, let me tell you, the smoking ban in restaurants and bars is excellent in Illinois.

I met some friends up in Lake Geneva last month to catch up on old times and I couldn't believe how nasty I smelled from the smoke in the place.

People will still go to bars, don't worry about that, Wisconsinites.

Already banned in bars here in Madison, and it's fantastic.

Ban ban ban.

And here I thought a race from LA to WI
But smoking ban's are good too. I used to smoke until about 14 years ago and it definitely is a bad and stinky habit.

Funny, the responses here have been about the proposed ban, and that wasn't why I posted this....I'm just all excited about Lance being here and the chance to finally meet him.

Had lunch with his mom a couple of years ago at an event, but have never met Lance...nor even talked to him in person.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w194/Hipcycler67/Cycling/philandlindaarmstrong.jpg

My mom called me this morning about the Lance angle. Seems like it was on pretty short notice. Unfortunately, I had to be at work.

Working.

For the man.

Lance who? Was he some sort of person we should have heard of?

History is so in the past, man.

;)

People will still go to bars, don't worry about that, Wisconsinites.

If it worked in NYC, it can work anywhere

And now the rest of Wisconsinites that aren't dating an organizer for this appearance finally hear about Lance's visit ;)

That was a tough secret to keep! Be sure to come check it out, the state really needs it.

Sounds like a great guest for your show Hip. Surely you have that type of clout.

Sounds like a great guest for your show Hip. Surely you have that type of clout.

HA!
I've tried in the past and as I said on the show yesterday, I think I'd have a better shot at getting the Pope. Lance has a LOT of layers around him to protect.

However, Coach Jerry just teased me with a little addtional nugget of info.

When I sent him an e-mail about Lance's appearance, Jerry's reply to me was simply: "Stay tuned dude"

What a tease!
He knows something. They're working on something. An in-store appearance? Could this at last be my chance at meeting the man, the myth, the legend?! Oh steady my heart.

Place and time in Milwaukee???

Anyone?

Place and time in Milwaukee???

Anyone?

UPDATE:

Very disappointed. Friday I learned that it's only a conference call set up at 2:00 after the noon Madison rally event. I have all the numbers and codes and crap to dial in and participate at 2:00, but I wanted to actually meet him...press the flesh...but he'll only be in Madison. I'm not even sure I'm going to bother with the conference call. Maybe I should...ask him if he trolls at BF.

My contact on the inside let me know they are flying Lance, "it's called a conference because we invite the press from all around the Milwaukee area to come and ask him questions." .


Location:
Oak Crest Tavern (100% smoke-free establishment)
4022 N. Oakland Ave (corner of Capitol and Oakland)
Shorewood, WI

My contact on the inside let me know they are flying Lance, "it's called a conference because we invite the press from all around the Milwaukee area to come and ask him questions." .


Location:
Oak Crest Tavern (100% smoke-free establishment)
4022 N. Oakland Ave (corner of Capitol and Oakland)
Shorewood, WI

If true and the timing were right, I could drop in there before the show tomorrow.