I'm Havin' a Dave Day - Again !

June 2025 - Around eighteen months ago, some good-natured folks decided that they’d like to keep the memory of their good friend and colleague, Dave Myers, alive, by organising a bike ride in his memory - such was his passion for said transport. Dave had died in February 2024, at the age of 66, and with his family and friends by his side. They’d ride from London to his home town of Barrow in Furness, in Cumbria, the best part of 300 miles away .

They put the word out on social media about their intentions and a few more good-natured folks decided that it was a splendid idea and that they would like to join in. The idea got extended and they decided to try and raise a few quid on the way, by stopping off at various points, which they’d then donate to NSPCC Childline and Cancer Care.

But that’s when it all went from one extreme to another.

You see, this Dave Myers chap wasn’t just an all day, every day bloke, well, he was, but he was also a Hairy Biker, and together with his best mate and fellow chef, Si King, they became dear to our hearts, with their two-wheeled exploits across the UK, Europe and America, rustling up hearty delicacies for us all to salivate over - and then make a complete mess of when we tried to recreate them in our own kitchens. No? Just me then !

They originally estimated for around 5,000 bikes on the ride and raise up to £5,000 for the chosen charities. On the day though, that 5,000 bikes was first estimated at 20,000 and by the time the Highways Agency had borrowed a couple more calculators, they’d worked out that in the end, there were more than 46,000 bikes and trikes that had made the journey, and that £5,000 charitable donation, well that had exploded into an unbelievable £127,460.60 - don’t forget the 60p ! !

A legacy had been created, and as we all know, legacies have to be maintained.

And so, at the crack of dawn, on the longest day of the year, whilst certain types of individual are gathering at Stonehenge to welcome the Summer Solstice, others will, once again, head for the Ace Café on the North Circular Road, on the outskirts of London. A café they themselves describe as “a home for petrolheads, upholding the rich traditions of motorcycles, cars and rock n’ roll for over 80 years”. Pleasantries would’ve been exchanged before the engines start to roar in anticipation of the 180-mile journey up the M40, around the M42 and on to the M6 towards Knutsford Services - the halfway stage (ish).

As I head North from Junction 15, I pass many an information sign that suggests that motorists ‘look out for bikes’ and as I get closer to Knutsford they change to inform HGV drivers that for them, there is no room at the inn – unless they want fuel only, and even then it’ll be an optimistic challenge as the whole petrol and diesel concourse had started to fill up with bikes, some of which had arrived a few hours ago. Rumours had it, that some had been there since 08:00 – either that or they’d stayed the night at the Travelodge.

Most of the bridges that span the motorway had got people on them, some decked out in Hawaiian shirts in a show of solidarity, waving enthusiastically at every biker that had chosen to get ahead of the main crowd. Some had planned to be there for the duration as they’d brought their own camping chairs, for an increased level of comfort, during the wait.

The weather was also going to be a challenge as on one hand the temperatures had been predicted to hit 32°, and it was already 27° at 10:15, but on the other, the Met Office had issued a yellow storm weather warning for thunder with frequent lightning and heavy downpours for Cheshire, Lancashire and into Cumbria – the exact kind of thing that can make biking an absolute nightmare, and the party that was planned for Barrow Town Centre, a complete washout.

Just as I passed the halfway point between Sandbach and Knutsford Services, the gantry signs suddenly start to flash and slow us down to 40mph, notifying us that there was a lane closure, and four were about to become three. Was this a sign that it’d already gotten full at Knutsford ? In the end it was nothing more than a stranded vehicle and the Highways Agency were already on the case preparing to have it removed, as every bit of motorway was needed for the volume of traffic that was well on its way and wasn’t going to be stopped for anything.

I finally arrived at the Services fairly early as I’d learned my lesson from last year and I made sure that I’d got a parking space out of the way of all the bikes. It didn’t work though, as there were far more bikes than last year, I reckon, and they also had to use the dinky car park to the right of the Service Road, where I’d parked, such was the demand.

They were due to arrive at 11.45 and bang on the button Si King and Dave’s friend Jason ‘Woody’ Woodcock led a throng of bikes off the motorway and into the Services where they were welcomed by a host of well-wishers. Cheers and applause were handed out as were hugs and kisses between the bikers as the meets and greets began with friends old and new.

Wave after wave after wave of bikes came down the slip road, decked out in all sorts of paraphernalia, toys, flags, live chihuahua’s (I kid you not, I have proof, see below) and a deluge of Hawaiian shirts, some with Dave’s own face plastered all over them (again, I have proof, see above).

The Services staff were busy sectioning off parts of the car park once they’d been filled, and the Official Marshalls were directing anything and everything that moved into every available space.

Si King had barely gotten off his bike before he was swarmed upon, by an adoring public who wanted to hug him, kiss him, shake his hand and be seen doing it, in a never-ending onslaught of selfies. As shattered as he might have been, you would never know it as he took it all in good grace and accomodated everyone who asked.

The break was to last for thirty minutes, and after twenty the Marshalls again began to do their duty and corral everyone towards the exit slip road, ready for the off. At 12:15 the instruction went up to start your engines, and five minutes later the rolling road block had arrived, having stalled everything behind it, ready for hundreds of bikers to hit the road as one big collective. It took a good twenty-five minutes to clear the Services, although there were fifty or so still there once the motorway had reopened. Maybe they’d arrived late or weren’t going the full distance or were going to enjoy their Costa Coffee or Greggs sausage roll in comfort before riding that last hundred miles or so, who knows.

The rain had held off. It tried a couple of times to make an appearance, but it didn’t succeed, and the conditions ahead had changed to ideal for the last leg of the journey and into the evening.

Again, it was all done in the name of charity and as per last year, it would be NSPCC Childline and Cancer Care that would reap the rewards. Let’s hope last years incredible amount can be broken and everyone had such a good time that they all want to do it all again next year.

Here’s hoping anyway.

You can out more about ‘Having a Dave Day, by clicking here…

And if you have a few quid to spare, you can donate by clicking here…