SPECTATORS in Settle had waited hours for it to happen.

And just before the cyclists on stage one of the Tour de Yorkshire approached the finish line for the first time, it did – a patch of blue sky broke through!

By the time the riders at the back of the race had set off towards Giggleswick for the final 10km loop, however, the unremitting dank grey clouds and drizzle that had spent the entire day squatting over Settle were back.

But it didn't matter one jot. Thousands of spectators thronged the narrow streets of the town for hours before the riders arrived, and they weren't going to allow a little bit of rain stop them having a great time. So, party they did!

The day had started with a fall of snow, surely enough to make Settle's traders fear the worst as the town prepared to make the most of its day in the global spotlight, with TV coverage of the three-day race going out to more than 150 countries.

They needn't have worried. Multi-coloured rainwear, scarves, hats and gloves were the order of the day but the crowds were ready, willing and able to enjoy themselves, with entertainment on the streets and at the 'fan hubs' set up just off the town centre.

The Granny Turismo 'shopping trolley display team' and Savage Skills mountain bike stunt riders were especially well received, while the giant television screens showing the progress of the race proved, not surprisingly, very popular.

And the New York Brass Band, with their seemingly endless supply of pop classics, perhaps did most to engender a party atmosphere, as they played at various locations around the town.

Shops and pubs were also doing a brisk trade.

At the Talbot Arms, a be-hatted bar supervisor, Mark Loughlin, was outside dispensing food and drink as the spectators started to arrive en masse three hours before the finish.

"The weather's not great but the atmosphere is," he said. "People are out to enjoy themselves and make a day of it. Our trade has been building very well, and it should continue well into the night for the town's pubs."

Rags hairdressers and Settle residents, Gillian Curley and Rebecca Mellin, had decided not to open the salon so they could fully enjoy the spectacle.

Gillian said: "The atmosphere is really good and we are loving every second of it. It's great to see Settle buzzing!"

And Anne Preston, owner of toy and gift shop The House That Jack Built, with 'Jack' replaced by 'Brad' for the day in honour of Tour De France winner Bradley Wiggins, said the store had seen a steady increase in trade in the run-up to the big day.

She added: "It's obviously very positive for Settle, but today is all about the racing. It's great to see people enjoying themselves so much – and we're enjoying it all as much as anybody."

At the Wholesome Bee store, owner Kath Hartley said: "I thought the weather would put a dampener on things, but it hasn't at all. It's great to see so much positivity and enthusiasm."

Spectators lining the race route cheered wildly as the riders thundered towards the finish line, with Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen taking the stage in a sprint finish.

Settle had truly made the most of its day in the limelight.

Don't miss the eight-page Tour de Yorkshire supplement in Thursday's Craven Herald.