BEADS of sweat poured from their red faces as the scorching heat beat down on Rivington during the Commonwealth Games mountain bike race.

With blisters on their sore feet they were ready to collapse.

And that was just the crowd. The bikers tearing around the picturesque course were even more exhausted.

They call these the Friendly Games and for the thousands of spectators -- many of them children enjoying their school holiday -- fun was top of the agenda.

Out came the flags symbolising many of the 72 competing nations of the Games.

And out came the praise -- first, for the volunteers who cheerfully directed people to the spectator area packed with fast-food outlets and a big-screen TV; and second, for the organisers who had the foresight to bring the cycling events to this neck of the woods.

"You guys are doing a fantastic job," shouted Anita Gordon, a blonde 30-year-old.

And she was certainly in a position to comment, having travelled all the way from Sydney, where the hugely successful Olympics were held two years ago.

"I'm here to cheer on my husband, Gordon," she said, waving her Australian flag.

Gordon was competing for Australia in the afternoon men's race, battling against 19 other competitors.

He would have been well suited to the North-west heat, which yesterday peaked at 27 degrees -- the hottest day of the year so far.

A commentary kept fans informed of what was going on as the bikers snaked their way around one leafy bend after another.

Pop songs blasted from speakers, drowning out the noise from the overhead helicopter which was filming for the BBC.

Members of the St John Ambulance appeared to be having an easy time of it -- their most difficult problem being a twisted knee.

The rest of the day was spent tending to midge bites, grazes and blisters on feet.

"It's been a lot quieter than we expected," one of them said as he dished out meal tickets to his crew. "But we never wanted to be busy. For an event this size, it's going very well."

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, turned up in the afternoon, to watch the men's race.

Huge cheers greeted the English riders from members of the crowd waving their flags of St George.

Earlier the crowd gave a sympathetic round of applause to England's Jenny Copnall, who crossed the finish line in last place after suffering a puncture.

She finished 24 minutes behind Canadian winner Chrissy Redden, who completed the course in 1hr 32 mins 10 secs. Later the crowds cheered as Roland Green, also from Canada, crossed the finish line in first place, followed by fellow countryman Seamus McGrath and England's Liam Killeen, who finished third.

"It's been a lovely day," said spectator Enid Scotford, aged 62, from Atherton.

"I came on my own because everyone else is at work, but they're missing out on something very special."

And, judging by the mood of the crowd, there will be even more for Saturday's road race.