Towns across Norfolk and Suffolk are gearing up to welcome the Aviva Women’s Tour as the first stage kicks off on Wednesday.
And businesses in Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth have created intricate window displays and decorations in preparation for the visit.
Beccles will be dressed in yellow as the cyclists whizz by, and 36-year-old Dan Lovett, who works at The Toy Box, has created a Lego bicycle for the occasion.
Mr Lovett spent six weeks piecing together more than 3,000 bricks, complete with a Union Jack seat. He said: “The tour is brilliant for the town and I hope everybody comes out to watch it.
“The display has already had a lot of attention - lots of people are coming in just to ask about it and taking lots of photographs.”
The Lego has been built around Mr Lovett’s son’s bicycle, meaning William, five, is temporarily without both his Lego and bike.
A similar labour of love is gracing the window of Beccles Sewing and Handicrafts - a crochet bicycle. Created by 52-year-old shop owner Sue Taylor, the bright yellow bike is made from hula-hoops, cardboard tubes and three balls of yarn. She said: “We often have displays in the window for special events so this was a great opportunity, as the tour is wonderful for Beccles.”
Other businesses displaying bicycles include The Jewellery Room, Blyburgate Antiques, Saxon and Sweet Memories, with knitted yellow jerseys at The Needlecraft Shop.
Christine Pinsent, of Beccles Business and Tourism Association, said: “The tour coming through the town has given us a great opportunity to really put Beccles on the map.”
Over in Bungay, several shops are creating similar displays with staff from Moths Crafts yarn bombing a bicycle while Giddens and Thompson Greengrocers is decorating one with lemons.
Simon Thompson, chairman of Bungay Events and Business Association, said: “Hopefully we’ll have the streets of Bungay all awash with yellow, full of people cheering the cyclists on.”
And in Halesworth, bikes will be sprayed red, white and blue and placed across the town, adding to the bunting in the town centre. Youngsters at Holton St Peter Primary School have also decorated bikes to put outside their school.
Nick Rees, Halesworth Town Council clerk, said: “The town council is really looking forward to it and we hope as many people as possible come out and show their support.”
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