AS THE Grand Depart riders rose into the Dales, usually quiet communities found themselves full of fans eager to see their cycling heroes close at hand.

Unlike the towns, where security and safety measures prevailed, they could gather around the very roads where the riders were busy getting used to narrow lanes bounded by traditional drystone walls.

There were extraordinary scenes right along the route, as little "settlements" sprouted up - even as the route climbed up to Kidstones before taking the riders out of Craven - until their return to the district and to Bolton Abbey, Addingham and Silsden the following day.