Tour of Britain 'exciting and enjoyable' to watch live
BBCResidents braved torrential downpours to cheer the Tour of Britain women's cycling race as it visited Lancashire for the first time.
Stage two of the race is passing through more than 70 miles (113km) of the county, starting in Clitheroe and finishing in Blackpool.
Riders will tackle Waddington Fell and the Nick o' Pendle before passing through areas including Sabden, Whalley, Hurst Green, Longridge, Broughton, Weeton and Lytham, followed by a sprint to the finish line next to Blackpool's Mirror Ball.
Clitheroe resident, Joan Fletcher, said the race was "so exciting and enjoyable" to watch. The town also hosted the men's race in 2015, which was the last time the Tour came to the county.
"You just get this big build up, and then all of a sudden you get this rainbow of colour that just goes shooting past," Fletcher added, while standing by the safety barriers in the rain to see the riders.
"It's great, lovely."
One resident who watched the riders, Colin Ball, said the race was "great for Clitheroe".
"I was going to go shopping but I thought I'll stop and watch instead," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"I can't cycle myself," the 77-year-old said, "but I just enjoy watching the bike race, but I don't see enough of it on TV."
John Robey, from Preston, cycles about 5,000 miles (about 8,000km) a year around the area.
"I just love cycling," he said.
"It's great to have the Tour of Britain in Lancashire, so you can enjoy the lovely Lancashire weather," he joked.
His friend Stephen also enjoys cycling.
"You can do it at any age, at any ability," the 73-year-old said.
"I love to see people at the top of the profession with great skill and great equipment.
"It's really good to see some of that experience in some of the conditions that we have to put up with a lot," he said.
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