Commuters are being urged to get on their bikes as part of an event inspired by the Tour of Britain cycle race.

A host of professional cyclists will be speeding through Wymondham on their way to the Sandringham Estate for the race on September 17.

Local people have been inspired to organise a more 'sedate' cycle event almost a week after the Tour of Britain stage by staging a 'mass commute' from Wymondham to Norwich.

Organisers of the Wymondham Approach are inviting city workers to try cycling from the Market Place to the Forum in Norwich on Friday, September 23

The event is being organised by architects Matt Wood and Tom Feneley Plackett of Wymondham practice Lucas Hickman Smith, and Norwich-based artists Townley and Bradby.

As part of this year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival, Townley and Bradby staged The Bowthorpe Experiment – a cycletour to a 'future‐Norwich' in which the bike had displaced the car.

'The Bowthorpe Experiment was an art‐piece. It presented a future that was desirable but unachievable. So it was great when Matt got in touch. He told us he'd been on the tour and wanted to organise a follow‐up event that was a bit more practical,' said Lawrence Bradby.

Mr Wood added: 'At the start of the year I started using my bike to get to meetings in the city, rather than driving in. I do it to get some exercise, which I find hard to fit into my working week otherwise, but it's also saving me money. And it's reducing my carbon footprint.'

The 'mass‐commute' will leave Wymondham Market Place at 8am on September 23, and will call in at Waitrose before heading into Norwich via the old A11 through Hethersett and Cringleford. Eight miles of the ten mile route are on designated cycle paths.

The official launch of the Wymondham Approach will be outside Wymondham Library on September 17 to coincide with the Tour of Britain and a farmers' market.

For more information, visit www.thewymondhamapproach.wordpress.com