Final Tribute Ride for Hairy Biker Dave Myers Announced as 'Last Ride Home'
The Hairy Bikers Memorial Ride for Dave Myers will be held for a third and final time this summer, with organisers confirming it as 'The Last Ride Home' due to funding constraints. Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to participate in the emotional journey from London to Barrow in Cumbria, celebrating the life of the beloved TV chef who passed away from cancer in 2024.
Event Details and Route
Scheduled for June 20, the ride will commence at 7am from the Ace Cafe in London. Riders will follow a scenic route through Oxford, the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, Knutsford, and Lancaster before reaching Barrow. The event is led by Si King, Dave Myers' best friend and fellow Hairy Biker, who has been instrumental in organising the previous rides.
Westmorland and Furness Council has committed £10,000 to ensure the safe management of the procession, acknowledging the significance of the event for the local community. A council spokesman described the first two Dave Days as 'amazing events' that brought people together to honour 'a true proud Barrovian'.
Funding Challenges and Community Impact
Organiser Jason Woodcock revealed that funding issues have necessitated this being the final ride. The council, having absorbed considerable safety costs for the past two years, must now prioritise funding for other community organisations in Barrow. Despite this, the event aims to set a world record for the largest gathering of motorbikes, building on the success of previous years.
The inaugural ride in 2024 raised over £125,000 for charity, with an additional £134,000 donated following last year's event. These funds have supported various causes, reflecting the charitable spirit that Dave Myers championed throughout his career.
Emotional Tributes and Widow's Perspective
Dave's widow, Lili Myers, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support from bikers and fans, describing it as one of Dave's 'biggest gifts'. She shared, 'The process has been really long and challenging, but we finally reached a compromise and a solution and we're making it happen.'
Lili has been inundated with inquiries about the event, with hundreds of messages asking about viewing points along the route. She remarked, 'It's magical. Absolutely magical.' Reflecting on the community's connection to Dave, she noted that people were drawn to his story for reasons including travel, food, friendship, biking, or personal experiences with illness.
'Many people joined previous rides because they had lost someone or were going through challenges themselves and wanted to honour that,' Lili explained. 'It was like a cauldron filled with people who had something special to connect to. I think we all needed that to uplift us.'
Legacy and Future
This final ride serves as a poignant farewell to Dave Myers, whose impact extended beyond television into the hearts of bikers and food enthusiasts nationwide. As the biking community prepares for this last tribute, the event underscores the enduring legacy of friendship and camaraderie that defined the Hairy Bikers' partnership.
