Skip to content

Thousand of bikers turnout for 'joyous' Dave Day 2

Phil Chapman
BBC News, North West
BBC Lili Myers wears a black t-shirt and sunglasses and smiles at the camera. She is standing on a balcony above Barrow's high street, where there is a procession of motorcyclists. BBC
Lili Myers said she wanted to bring joy and energy to Barrow in memory of her late husband

Thousands of bikers have ridden in a "joyous" celebration of the life of Hairy Bikers presenter Dave Myers.

Thousands of motorcyclists descended on Barrow in Cumbria on Saturday, the hometown of the 66-year-old TV chef, who died from cancer last year.

His widow Lili Myers said the turnout for Dave Day 2 "surpassed all expectations" and added, "they [the bikers] keep coming".

Hairy Bikers co-star, Si King, said the event, a repeat of the biking procession for Myers last year, was a "joyous celebration of me best mate".

A procession of motorcyclists ride down Barrow high street. There are many people lined behind barriers in support of the event.
Hairy Biker Si King said the ride was a "joyous celebration of "me best mate" in Barrow

Last year's event saw more than 20,000 bikers travel from London and raised £127,000 for charities the NSPCC and the Institute of Cancer Research.

King said: "Last year was fantastic and this year is amazing. It's a culmination of what motorcycles are about - community, friendship and fellowship".

South Shore Productions/PA Si King and Dave Myers in their BBC cooking programme, The Hairy Bikers Go West South Shore Productions/PA
Si King and Dave Myers had a shared passion for motorcycles and food

Mrs Myers echoed her late husband's co-star and said there was "so much joy" at the gathering.

"It's a feeling of energy, celebration and that's what's important, that's what we wanted to bring in Barrow," she told the BBC.

"We had a figure in our heads, but it's surpassed all expectations... so I'm not going to say anything because they [the bikers] keep on coming".

Lili Myers and Si King, who are wearing black t-shirts and sunglasses, stand on a balcony above Barrow's high street, where there is a procession of motorcyclists. Si has a grey beard and hair.
Si King, said Dave Day 2 was "about community, friendship and fellowship"

"Lots of people are getting very excited... We're really looking forward to doing this again," Mr Woodcock told BBC Radio Cumbria.

The two-day celebration involves entertainment on Saturday and Sunday as well as a concert and a charity football match, with tickets priced £10 for each event.

"It's going to be a whole weekend of togetherness," Woody added.

A man with dark hair and a woman with blonde hair both wear bright blue surf shirts - a staple clothing of TV chef Dave Myers - which has his face adorned all over them. They lean over the barriers in Barrow.
People lined the streets in Barrow for Dave Day 2

Westmorland and Furness Council had warned of congestion around junction 36 of the M6, with Dave Day motorcyclists arriving in Barrow from mid-afternoon.

The procession came via the A590 from the M6, turning left on to Park Road at entry into Barrow and proceeded to the town centre through Abbey Road.

PA Media Dozens of bikers travelling in a procession along a motorway as part of Dave Day. PA Media
Last year's procession went from London to Barrow, with bikers cheered on by well-wishers

Barriers and designated crossing points were in place, which people were urged to use by the council, with help from marshals and signs.

National Highways has told drivers to allow more time for their journeys and to plan ahead as "thousands more bikers than usual" were expected on the motorway over the weekend.

"It is anticipated the M6 will be particularly busy, especially at Knutsford Services, where motorcyclists travelling from the south will gather before completing their journeys north," a spokesperson said.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

More on this story
Related internet links