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Organisers of the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival are encouraging those taking part to emulate a national sporting hero.
They want competitors in Saturday's 'Cycle the Wight' event to don mock sideburns in tribute to Olympic champ Bradley Wiggins.
After becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France, Wiggins then stormed to the gold medal in the road time trial at the London Games in August.
Claire Critchison from the Isle of Wight Council organises the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival and said: "The Olympic Games was an amazing event and has helped boost the profile of sports such as cycling even further.
"The achievements of Team GB Cycling, and in particular Bradley Wiggins has resulted in an increase in participants at the festival this year and we think it is only right we recognise their success.
"We are asking participants in the Cycle the Wight event to wear fake sideburns in honour of Bradley, whose sideburns have become something of a national icon. We are also nicknaming the event 'Wiggo the Wight' this year, although I think he will probably be a bit too busy to pop over!”
The nine-day Isle of Wight Cycling Festival features almost 60 rides, ranging from family-friendly rides to off-road challenges for all ages and abilities. This year also sees a new four hour endurance event - the Chevy Chase - take place on a purpose-built off road track in Cheverton on 30 September.
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