Five hundred cyclists gave their legs a season-closing workout when they took part in a sold-out ride across south Norfolk.

Riders in the Norfolk Sportive - now in its second year - were able to test themselves in three distance categories for riders: 100, 50 and 25 miles.

The cyclists, young and not so young, set off in their saddles from Easton and Otley College today, for the cross-country sportive, with their routes marked by yellow signs.

Organisers said the routes, which included sections through the likes of Wymondham, Hethersett, Garboldisham, Attleborough, Long Stratton and Poringland, were specially chosen to encompass iconic scenery - and the odd incline to prove Norfolk is not as flat as its reputation suggests.

The routes all concluded with a grandstand finish back at the college campus.

The ride, organised by Cycle Sportives UK in association with Evans Cycles, proved so popular that it was a sell-out.

Those who made it to the finish line were rewarded with medals.

The company supports the RNLI and volunteers were at the ride to raise funds for the lifeboat charity.

Peter Dennes, from Cycle Sportives UK, was delighted at the turn-out. He said: 'I can't believe it. It's the last event of the year and it has ended on a real high and that's set us up nicely for next year.

'It speaks volumes for where cycling is at, at this moment in time. If you'd said we'd have 300 or 400 we'd have been happy. To sell-out has blown us away.'

The event was one of a number of mass-participation cycle events Cycle Sportives hosted in the region this year.

Others included the Pinewood Climbs in north Norfolk and the 100 miles night-time Chase The Rising Sun event, which stretched from Hunstanton to Southwold.

• Are you taking part in a charity challenge? Email reporter David Hannant on david.hannant@archant.co.uk