The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Bikers’ ride for Dave was ‘remarkable’
TV chef Si King has hailed a memorial motorcycle ride in honour of his late Hairy Bikers co-star Dave Myers as “absolutely remarkable”.
Thousands of motorcyclists travelled from London to Myers’ hometown in Barrow-in-Furness on Saturday as part of the first Dave Day.
Former Aberdeenshire resident Myers, who was part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo with co-presenter King, died in February at the age of 66 after suffering from cancer.
In a video online, King told crowds after finishing the ride: “It was just absolutely remarkable. What a remarkable reception. Just mind-blowing.
“All of the over bridges all the way from London up to Barrow-in-Furness, people waving and showing kindness and courtesy – unbelievable.”
King and Myers’ widow Lili later appeared on a stage in Barrow-in-Furness were they thanked those who had come out to pay tribute to Myers.
In videos shared to social media, Lili can be seen thanking those who helped organise the day, saying: “The love that you’ve put into this is not going unnoticed, thank you very much.
“I want to thank all the people that have made the effort to come today, some of them from Malaysia, some of them really struggled in different ways to make their way here but they did, they are with us tonight.”
She said some of the cancer stories shared with her have been “moving her heart” as she can relate to their struggle, adding: “The past couple of years have been horrendous.”
She encouraged the crowd to reach out to anyone they know living with or supporting someone with cancer as she praised her friends who have been by her side.
Following Myers’ death, his hometown in Cumbria organised the tribute day which also included a music concert and a service of remembrance.
The day raised funds for the Institute of Cancer Research, London, and children’s charity the NSPCC.
Myers and his family also lived in the north-east of Scotland for 15 years when he ran an antiques shop in Huntly.
King, speaking on Saturday morning, said the event would be a “celebration of my best friend that we’ve lost” and it will be “very emotional”.
“You never know how these things are going to impact you, it is a celebration of Dave’s life”, he added.
“That’s why we’re here because he was so irritatingly positive all of the time. And we love him and that’s why we’re here.”
King added he wants people to say they are having a “Dave Day” instead of a “great day”.
Speaking about cancer, he said: “It doesn’t care who it takes. And that’s part of the reason that we’re here.”