Bikers ride to Barrow in Dave Myers tribute event

Thousands of motorcyclists have begun a ride from London to Cumbria, to rejoice the lifetime of Hairy Biker Dave Myers.

The TV chef died in February, on the age of 66, after he was identified with most cancers.

Dave Day is a remembrance procession with up to 20,000 anticipated to be part of the cavalcade to Myer’s coastal residence city of Barrow-in-Furness.

As the bikers set off from London, his TV fellow Hairy Biker Si King described it as “superb” and a “celebration of the most effective good friend that I’ve misplaced”.

Many of these gathered on the Ace Cafe in north London have been carrying Hawaiian shirts, and King added: “Everybody’s acquired that beautiful Dave sartorial magnificence about them, ie dodgy shirt.

“Some of them have had them specifically printed, it is exceptional.”

He added: “You by no means understand how this stuff are going to influence you, you realize, it’s a celebration of Dave’s life.

“That’s why we’re right here, as a result of he was so irritatingly optimistic all the time. And we love him and that is why we’re right here.”

Myers’ widow, Lili, mentioned: “We have folks coming from everywhere in the nation. We have folks coming from Texas, from Malaysia, from throughout Europe.

“Oh, it is endearing. It simply helps me undergo my technique of grief as a result of it simply makes me really feel that I’m not by myself with all this.

Later on Saturday, celebrations will centre round Barrow Town Hall with performances, stalls by native distributors who’ve labored with the Hairy Bikers on numerous initiatives and a service of remembrance.

The event can even elevate cash for NSPCC Childline and The Institute of Cancer Research, with donations being break up evenly between the 2 charities, organisers mentioned.

In a web based video forward of the event, Si King, mentioned: “Be protected and be courteous to each other and we’ll have a smashing day.”

More bikers are set to be part of the procession because it makes its manner north.

In the run up to the day, workers and college students from Greengate Junior School in Barrow dressed up as Myers.

Those who took half sported faux beards and moustaches, as wells as a waistcoat comparable to the one the chef wore.

Dylan, 10, mentioned the moustache felt itchy, whereas trainer Stephen Leigh mentioned Myers was a Barrovian treasure.

“Any kind of deal with the positives of Barrow is actually, actually good. And it is a marvellous place,” he added.

People are travelling from everywhere in the world to participate in the event.

Dawn Mayers, who’s initially from Fleetwood close to Blackpool, lives in Malaysia for the many of the 12 months.

She determined to come again to the UK particularly for the celebration.

“Dave died after we have been in Malaysia, so we determined to gentle a candle for him at an area Buddhist temple.

“We’ve watched each episode [of the Hairy Bikers], we have now each cookbook,” she mentioned.

Ms Mayers arrived in Barrow on Friday and mentioned the ambiance was electrical.

Keni Carrington, 70, travelled from France on Friday and is using your entire route to Barrow from the Ace Cafe.

Ms Carrington’s husband of 35 years, Chris, who was additionally a biker, handed away final June following a most cancers prognosis.

“Chris was my soulmate and he would love to have achieved this ride for Dave Myers,” she mentioned.

Meanwhile riders struggling for someplace to keep have been helped out by local residents providing their spare rooms, caravans, and even their backyards.

Tim Walker supplied up his backyard in Askam-in-Furness for folks to camp out in.

“We thought, properly, we have got loads of room [in the garden]. Got some tents and a few spare rooms,” he mentioned.

Mr Walker and his spouse are additionally planning to serve breakfast to their eight visitors.

He didn’t need folks to pay to keep on his property and requested folks to “put a donation in the bucket” as a substitute.

Barrow Town councillor Dani Petrova mentioned of Myers: “He was only a regular man from Barrow doing us all proud.

She added she was “completely gobsmacked” on the response to Dave Day.

“The folks of Barrow are what makes Barrow stunning and Dave was one in every of us.”

Road users have been warned of heavy traffic as three main occasions happen throughout Cumbria.

In addition to Dave Day, Appleby Horse Fair is happening and Windermere is enjoying host to the Great North Swim.

Cumbria Police and National Highways have suggested drivers to plan further time for his or her journeys.