IT was raining and bitterly cold but there was a buzz in the air at Grassington in anticipation of the arrival of the Tour of Yorkshire earlier today.

The few cycling fans that turned out - coated and scarfed - were congregated at the Hebden Road junction with Main Street waiting for the 180 riders to sweep passed.

Most gathered from about 2.30pm in time for the surprise visit of a bevy of cycling heroes in the guise of Brian Robinson, the first Brit to win a stage in the Tour de France, Tour stage winner Sean Yates and the legendary Bernard Hinault, one of the greatest bikers in the history of the sport .

He stepped out of his special transport to a fanfare and followed by a posse of fans eager for his autograph and a "selfy" with the six times winner of the Tour de France in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Keen to get Hinault's autograph were young Frank Binns, his pal Blake Wheal, pupils at Grassington Primary School, and Blake's mum Sian Wheal of Grassington.

"It was exciting for the children but we're going back home to watch it on TV and we'll come back out when it approaches the village," she said.

Excitement over, the fans, about 100 of them, kept themselves occupied and warmed with a series of impromptu Mexican waves conducted by the a solitary police officer.

The cycling pack were 30 minutes or so late into the village - testament to the fierce conditions and having conquered Greenhow Hill - proceeded by a cavalcade of team vehicles carrying spare bikes and arriving to a chorus of cheers and waves.

Among the stalwarts who had waited, battling the miserable weather and coming from Sheffield were Jane and Andy Gleaden and their friend Steve Hall who had arrived by camper van, the evening before.

"We love cycling - especially mountain biking. We watched the Tour de France in 2014 seeing it come through Masham. I'm happy to wait even if it is cold." said Jane.

And it was the stunning Yorkshire countryside, revealed during the televised Tour de France, that won over Sabita and Raj Menon, who had travelled from London to stay in Grassington and were able to catch the Yorkshire tour at the same time.

"We're very excited to be here," said Sabita. "We saw how beautiful Yorkshire was and wanted to come and visit. And we're seen the Tour of Yorkshire as well."

The cyclists continued on through Threshfield, Cracoe, Gargrave, Hellifield and Long Preston, to the finish in Settle.

And first to cross the line was Dylan Groenewegen from Lotto Jumbo.

Craven District Council chief executive, Paul Shevlin said: "This has been a wonderful event - Settle and the surrounding villages have really risen to the occasion. The weather has been challenging at times but the people of Settle have done themselves proud and the sun even shone for the finish.

"We've shown the world once again what a fantastic district Craven really is, with its glorious countryside and warm, welcoming communities.

"The race has been broadcast in over 150 countries around the world and I'm sure Settle and the surrounding area will benefit from this investment and focus on the north of Craven for years to come."