Residents and organisations in Sidmouth have been gearing up for the arrival of the world’s top cycling stars with a series of community events.

Sidmouth Herald: Roly's Fudge Pantry is one of many businesses to decorate its shop front for the Tour of Britain.Roly's Fudge Pantry is one of many businesses to decorate its shop front for the Tour of Britain. (Image: Archant)

Sid Valley Cycling Club has held a number of bike rides around the valley in the run-up to today’s (Friday) Tour of Britain race.

Members also teamed up with British Cycling and Sidmouth Town Council to organise a criterium race yesterday.

Cyclists of all ages raced around a 1.3km circuit in the town centre. The route was used in 2013 when Sidmouth hosted the tour three years ago.

Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce organised a Tour of Britain window competition, which has received 18 entries.

Sidmouth Herald: Pure Indulgence has put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain. Here is Coles's display.Pure Indulgence has put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain. Here is Coles's display. (Image: Archant)

Among the windows, Fields decorated its window with a penny-farthing donated to the store by Tom Griffiths. The WESC Foundation, Hopsiscare, Roly’s Fudge Pantry and Humbug have also tailored their displays to welcome the tour.

A team of judges inspected the entries last night and will present the winner of the competition with a signed cycling jersey.

Mel Gater, chairman of the chamber of commerce, said: “We are thrilled there has been such a great interest for such an important event adding to the list of tourism events in the valley. We are really lucky to have yet another event that is so widely supported and known by all.”

See next week’s paper for our coverage of the criterium races and the Tour of Britain.

Sidmouth Herald: Sidmouth resident Nick Coles has donated his Vicking Severn Valley bike to Potburys which he restored himself.Sidmouth resident Nick Coles has donated his Vicking Severn Valley bike to Potburys which he restored himself. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: McShaw Optomotrists has also put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain.McShaw Optomotrists has also put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Humbug have put up a colourful window in honour of the Tour of Britain.Humbug have put up a colourful window in honour of the Tour of Britain. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Shops around Sidmouth have put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain. Here is Hopsiscare's display.Shops around Sidmouth have put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain. Here is Hopsiscare's display. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Shops around Sidmouth have put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain.Fields have chosen a cycling through history theme with a penny-farthing.Shops around Sidmouth have put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain.Fields have chosen a cycling through history theme with a penny-farthing. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Shops around Sidmouth have put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain. Here is Coles's display.Shops around Sidmouth have put up displays in honour of the Tour of Britain. Here is Coles's display. (Image: Archant)