Cumbria gears up for final Dave Day tribute ride
Jacob King/PA WireA procession of up to 40,000 motorbikes is heading to Cumbria in memory of TV chef and Hairy Biker Dave Myers.
It is the third and final Dave Day celebration where riders make their way to Barrow, the hometown of the 66-year-old TV chef who died from cancer in 2024.
Authorities have warned roads following the route, which passes through London, Oxford, Solihull, Knutsford and Lancaster, would be busy, with several closures and diversions in place in Barrow on Saturday.
Myers' wife, Lili, who went to visit his childhood home last week, said he was "always a Barrow lad at heart", adding he "never lost his roots - it was where he got his sense of fairness".
Starting at the Ace Cafe, in London, at 07:00 BST, the bikers aim to reach Ulverston on Saturday at about 14:30, then through to Barrow via the A590.
Several roads have been closed in Barrow, with Market Street car park being closed to all vehicles except for the bikes taking part in the procession, which is expected to arrive at about 15:30.
Ulverston Town Council said there would be many places for spectators to watch along the A590, while Barrow Business Improvement District (BID) asked people to keep behind barriers and advised them to not high-five passing bikers.
Barrow BID also warned there would likely be congestion around junction 36 of the M6.
Led by the other Hairy Biker, Si King, more than £125,000 was raised for charity by the ride last year, with £134,000 donated following the 2024 event.
The previous events' organiser, Jason Woodcock, said problems funding the ride and the complication of arranging it meant this years would be the last.
Woodcock said there would be no formal registration for this year's ride, adding he would not be leading it this time.
People would be welcome to join the procession but "what happens in Barrow is nothing to do with us", he said.
"We are simply riding with some mates up to Barrow and if you choose to join us, that is completely up to your own volition.
"I want to make it the biggest and it will be the last big ride that we will be doing to remember our loved ones and remember Dave."
Ahead of the final Dave Day, Lili went to Myers' childhood home which she felt had become "full circle".
She said Myers had gained his passion for motorbikes from his dad, and would "hop on the back of his bike as a child".
Lili said there was "lots of little gems" and "precious memories" in his hometown.
