Tens of thousands of motorcyclists set to celebrate life of Barrow’s Hairy Biker

Tens of thousands of motorcyclists are set for a mammoth ride from London to Barrow to celebrate the life of Hairy Biker Dave Myers.

The TV chef died in February 2024, at the age of 66, after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Last year’s 'Dave Day' saw a huge remembrance procession of bikers journeying from the capital, with an estimated 46,000 people joining the ride up the country, with up to 20,000 arriving in Barrow.

Similar numbers are expected this weekend (June 21 and 22), for ‘Dave Day 2’, with the bikers set to pass through North Lancashire on the M6, where crowds are welcome on bridges to show their support, and motorists are warned to expect traffic to be busier than usual.

More than £127,000 was raised for charity by the inaugural event.

Entertainment on Saturday and Sunday includes a concert at Barrow Town Hall, featuring Darren Wharton’s Renegade, celebrating and reliving the classic music of Thin Lizzy, while headlining are Hells Bells – Europe’s leading and longest running AC/DC tribute band.

Three local bands, Don’t Tell Alice, The AeroBees and Sugarfoot will kick off proceedings in the afternoon.

On Sunday, Barrow AFC’s So Legal Stadium is hosting Dave Day’s charity football match, where a team of North-West Community Stars, including the likes of former Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert and ex-England midfielder Gavin McCann, will take on a Bikers XI.

The match will kick off at noon, however, gates will be open from 10am with plenty of entertainment and refreshments available in and around the ground.

Barrow Raiders are also hosting a celebration on Saturday, with the stadium open from 3pm with big screen entertainment and with night time merriment in the MKM marquee with music and dancing from DJ Cameron and Phil Lees.

There’s further events there on Sunday from 2pm, with big screen entertainment and music throughout the day and early evening.

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Westmorland and Furness Council is warning that several routes into Barrow are likely to be very busy during the motorcycle procession on Saturday afternoon, 21 June and that a number of road closures and diversions will be in place in the town centre.

The route of the motorcycle procession will be via the A590 from the M6, turning left on to Park Road at entry into Barrow and proceeding to the town centre via Abbey Road.

Crowd barriers are being placed along the main town centre part of the motorcycle procession route and anyone wanting to watch the bikers arriving in town are being strongly urged to remain behind the barriers for their own safety and the safety of passing riders.

A council spokesperson said: “Although the council is not involved in co-ordinating or organising Dave Day events, we are working as part of a multi-agency group including emergency services and highways organisations to ensure public safety and to minimise community impact as a result of the weekend’s activities.

“The crowd barriers are being placed in areas along the route where the main crowds are expected to gather.

“To ensure everyone’s safety, please remain behind the barriers and do not step into the road or try to ‘high-five’ the passing bikers.

“There will be designated crossing points that people should use and marshalls and volunteers organised by Barrow BID will be along the barriered areas to help keep people safe.’’

Signage advising about the bike procession on 21 June is being placed on main routes into Barrow, including ‘Bike Safe’ messages along the A590, in advance of Dave Day.

With so many visitors expected, the multi-agency group is warning it is inevitable that there will be increased traffic and some disruption on local roads, particularly during the afternoon of 21 June when the bike procession arrives.  

On the wider road network, there is likely to be congestion around junction 36 of the M6 motorway, with the Dave Day motorcyclists expected to arrive in Barrow mid-afternoon onwards.

A spokesperson for National Highways added: “We are advising motorists to allow more time for their journeys and to plan ahead, with thousands more bikers than usual expected on the motorway network 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.

“We urge road users to take extra care with motorcyclists travelling in convoy. Safety advice can be found on our website under our TRIP and BikerTek campaigns.”

Extra patrols of National Highways traffic officers will be stationed at key locations.