Signs have been put up warning drivers
Drivers may spot thousands of bikers on the M6 today, which may also be subject to delays. A picture of a sign taken at junction 17 and 18 of the M6 said “motorcycle event, Saturday, June 21. Expect delay”.
It comes as motorcyclists descend on the motorway for ‘Dave Day’, a special memorial event in honour of the late Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers will take place over Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22.
It follows the inaugural event in June 2024 which saw around 15,000 bikers take part. A large motorcycle procession is planned on Saturday afternoon in Barrow and a number of road closures and diversions will be in place in the town centre, reports LancsLive.
The route will be via the A590 from the M6, turning left onto Park Road at entry into Barrow and proceeding to the town centre via Abbey Road. Westmorland and Furness Council said 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 is being strongly urged to remain behind the barriers for their own safety and the safety of passing riders.
Agencies including Westmorland and Furness Council, emergency services and National Highways are working together to ensure spectators and visitors ‘have a safe and trouble-free weekend’.
A council spokesperson said: “Although the council is not involved in coordinating 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.”
Dave died on February 28 last year at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with cancer. He was surrounded by friends and family and had already made plans for his funeral.
When asked how he most wanted to be remembered as a person, Myers said he hoped it would be as someone “who had a go” and for people around him to “never limit” their goals.
On Tuesday, June 17, Dave’s wife, Liliana, featured in a pre-recorded interview on BBC’s The One Show, where she discussed her husband’s passing and the book she is publishing about their love story.
She disclosed her plans to get her motorbike license, something Dave had always wanted her to do, but she never felt the need to while he was alive.
She said: “Dave wanted me to take my biking licence, but I never wanted to be separated from him, to have my own bike. I didn’t need a license. I had Dave.”
“Dave would have wanted me to live my life. And I want to honour that. And these adventures that I’m going to have, are for him as well,” Liliana added.
She will participate in the second Dave Day, which initially took place in June 2024. The day saw thousands of bikers journey from London to Dave’s hometown of Barrow-in-Furness to pay tribute to the late star.
Liliana organised this special event, which raised funds for NSPCC, reports Wales Online.
