Thousands of bikers join ‘Dave Day’ ride in honour of Dave Myers

Many people are predicted to come together to commemorate the life of Dave Myers, the former Hairy Bikers celebrity, on what is dubbed "Dave Day".

Myers, who used to be one of the two people traveling on a motorcycle and cooking together, passed away due to cancer in February when he was 66 years old.

On Saturday, there will be a commemoration of Myers' life that will collect funds for charities that aid cancer patients and children, like the NSPCC. The event will feature a motorcycle parade from London to Myers' hometown, Barrow-in-Furness. A concert and a memorial service will also be conducted in his honor.

King talked to BBC Breakfast from London and expressed that the occasion would be a happy event for honoring someone very dear who is no longer with us.

With a group of bikers wearing Hawaiian outfits around him, King commented about the participants, saying: "Everyone is dressed in Dave's unique style, meaning questionable shirts. Some of them even printed their own designs, which is impressive," he quipped. "I don't think anyone would buy a used car from them though."

According to King, around 20,000 individuals are expected to participate in Dave Day. He mentioned that this event is a commemoration of his closest friend who has passed away. It brings up strong emotions for him and the rest of the attendees.

It's impossible to predict how events will affect you. This gathering is to honor Dave's existence; he always had an optimistic outlook on life. We have come together out of our affection for him.

In May of 2022, Myers made public that he was undergoing treatment for cancer. He refrained from disclosing the exact type when speaking to The Guardian as he did not want people to speculate and become armchair physicians. He stated that he did not want to face judgment based on the information shared.

According to Lili, the wife of Myers, the ceremony on Saturday was anticipated to attract people not only from the UK but also from foreign countries. She revealed on BBC Breakfast that individuals from different parts of Europe, Texas, and Malaysia are coming to attend the event.

The woman mentioned that the occasion had assisted her in realizing that she wasn't isolated. "It's quite heartwarming. It aids me in dealing with my mourning process. It gives me the sense that I'm not dealing with this all by myself," she expressed.

The person in charge of the event, Jason Woodcock, shared with the audience that Dave Day came about due to a request from Lili Myers. She had asked him to bring "a few bikers to attend the funeral," and he had fulfilled that request. Woodcock mentioned that once they reached the funeral, they had a few drinks. During their conversation, they came up with an idea to organize a memorial ride.

The triumph of the event resulted in a shortage of lodging in Barrow. Woodcock expressed his gratitude towards the people of Barrow who were generous enough to provide their extra rooms and gardens as makeshift campsites for visitors. They were truly extraordinary in their kindness.

After Myers' passing, a memorial motorcycle ride was arranged as a way to honor him. This event took place in April and saw a large group of bikers from all over the UK gather together for a convoy ride. The ride was organized by a group called Biker Escorts East Yorkshire and kicked off at Beverley marketplace in Yorkshire. The route then led the group through several North Yorkshire towns before finally concluding in Scarborough. The goal of this ride was to not only show their respect to Myers but also to raise funds for cancer research.