Cumbria gears up for final Dave Day tribute ride
Jacob King/PA WireA procession of up to 40,000 motorbikes has reached 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.
The route passed through London, Oxford, Solihull, Knutsford and Lancaster, with several closures and diversions in place in Barrow on Saturday.
Myers' wife, Lili, said it had been emotional knowing the event was "the last one in this format".
"We're doing the last ride and then we're doing the last leg of the last ride, we're doing the last mile of the last ride," she said.
"There was somebody shouting from the side of the road 'thank you for this' .
"It brings hope to people, it brings joy, brings a smile on their faces. And that's priceless.
"It's just this immense cloud of joy and gratitude."
Starting at the Ace Cafe, in London, at 07:00 BST, the first bikers reached Barrow just after 15:30.
Lili said the procession had been about 36 miles long (57.9km).
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.
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 he was "always a Barrow lad at heart", adding he "never lost his roots - it was where he got his sense of fairness".
Lili added Myers had gained his passion for motorbikes from his dad, and would "hop on the back of his bike as a child".
She said there was "lots of little gems" and "precious memories" in his hometown.
"Dave was an amazing person," Lili told BBC Radio Cumbria after she reached Barrow on the day of the procession.
"Even when he was really poorly, he still found energy and he still found the determination to do something that people would enjoy and that was the last series that he ever filmed in really difficult conditions given his health.
"But he wanted to do that so he inspired other people to do their best with whatever they have."