IT MAY not have the glamour of the Tour de France, but cyclists in north Essex showed they had just as much pedal power.

More than 1,200 cyclists rode around the north Essex countryside yesterday for the Tour de Tendring.

Pedal-pushers took on a six, 20 or 60-mile routes around picturesque countryside and coastal roads.

Conditions were almost perfect for the riders with the rain and wind holding off throughout most of the day.

This year, the event culminated in a special Olympic celebration as Marina Mightier, one of two character champions from Essex County Council’s Sparks Will Fly event, paraded with 500 performers along the Harwich and Dovercourt seafront.

There were fun family activities for everyone to enjoy, with stalls lining the streets.