FAMILIES, cycling supporters and what seemed like most of Northallerton streamed into the town centre for the Tour De Yorkshire as it ploughed through the middle of the town’s annual May Fair.

As the peleton swept through the surreal scenes of the fair, swapping the countryside for the dodgems, the waltzers and the House of Fun, the crowds cheered them on through the rain.

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Teesside does Yorkshire proud as le Tour comes to town

It is thought to be one of the first times a major cycling race has gone through the centre of a working fair – and one show stallholder said: “We were all pig sick earlier because of the rain, but it was amazing to see them, it’s a real boost for the town.”

The Booth family were one of countless thousands who ignored the driving rain to turn out and line the route, with many congregating on the green alongside All Saints church where a big screen broadcast the race.

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” said mum Clare who spent much of the time with daughter Amelie, five, on her shoulders waiting for the big moment.

A keen cyclist herself along with husband Paul and eight year old son Nathan, she said: “It’s just fabulous to see them going through the town. And it’s something to build on for the future.

“Because of this, cycling is becoming so popular, the number of cyclists on roads in North Yorkshire is phenomenal. We go to Scotland a lot and there aren’t nearly as many people on bikes there.”

Dedicated cyclist Don Crowley who biked to the event with fellow enthusiast David Hughes said the Tour was an inspiration.

He added: “It is amazing to see these cyclists close up, it makes you realise just how awesome they are, the way they keep up the pace. It is a real bonus for this area.”

While the peleton may have had the latest state-of-the-art bikes, former Northallerton mayor John Coulson showed the other side of the coin – and set up an exhibition of his collection of historic bikes including an original used in the very first races held in France in 1868.

“Although it was a nightmare to set the exhibition up, I hope it shows people how and where it all started with some of the first bikes used,” he said.

In Thirsk cycling fans, and those simply curious to see an international cycling race, stood in the cold, wet conditions guarding the best vantage points for more than two hours before the riders were due to arrive.

And the local Royal British Legion band played classics like Singing In The Rain as spectators huddled under a sea of umbrellas.

The most popular positions included near to the Norby estate, beside The Holmes park, where every conceivable viewpoint was taken up as a breakaway group of cyclists were cheered and applauded over the first sprint stage of the day.

A huge roar erupted in the historic Market Place - decorated with numerous woolly creations for the event by a 300-strong team of yarn bombers - as the leading riders, were closely followed by the peloton and the team’s support vehicles.

Life-long residents of the town said they had never witnessed scenes like it, while people who attended the Tour de France Grand Depart two years ago said the atmosphere and crowds were similar.

Mark Robson, leader of Hambleton District Council, said: “I've never seen so many people in the town centre. Even the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 didn’t bring people out in such numbers."

He said Thirsk and other areas of Hambleton district had been shown to their best advantage, due to the efforts of people from all walks of life, uniting as communities.

Local town councillor David Duffey, who helped organise the event in the town, said he was delighted the inclement weather had not deterred people from watching the race.

He said months of planning for the event had borne fruit, while some traders in the town reported their busiest ever weekend.

"Knowing what Yorkshire folk are like, I thought they would turn out,” he said.

"There are lots of ideas banging around to keep the momentum of this event going, such as holding a James Herriot Day."

In the closing stages of the race the coastal communities of Robin Hood’s Bay and Fylingthorpe put on an imaginative welcome, with Yorkshire Pudding trees, a gorilla dressed as a cyclist and a Yorkshire ET decorating one of the climbs out of the bay.

Davy Johnson and “Dr Crank” at Fylingthorpe kept crowds entertained with a barbecue in Fylingthorpe and their own take on being “Frenchly Yorkshire” dressed in French stripes accessorised with strings of Yorkshire Puddings.

Dr Crank then upped the entertainment by donning his flat cap and Yorkshire Pudding necklace to cycle up the start of Thorpe Bank, or the “Cote d’Robin Hood’s Bay”.

He then recreated his feat on the sharp incline on a small BMX with ET in the front basket and free-wheeled back down much to the delight of crowds.

Stuart and Lynn Micklewright, from Fylingthorpe positioned themselves on a bench on one bend in the road, from where they enjoyed the spectacle with their family and wine and beer.

Lynn said: “We think this is one of the best vantage points; our daughter came up from London just for this and brought some friends with her from New Zealand and Australia.

“This is definitely good fun for the area.”

St Stephen’s Parish Church in Fylingthorpe was also open to serve the crowds with tea, coffee and scones.

Julie Galliard said the event definitely brought people together. “There’s a sense of community here and this certainly brings people together.”

At Fylingdales Victoria Verrill and Laura Sheridian had crowds of Tour de Yorkshire spectators at their cake stall, which was raising money for the RNLI and the local school.

“Everybody here – friends, family and people at the school have been busy baking, we’re catching the crowds making their way up the bank and hopefully on the way back down too.”