Dave Myers: Barrow Dave Day spirit lives on in new event

Inspired by the massive bike ride in honour of Dave Myers earlier this year, Debbie Alstead, 61, wanted to give locals the chance to taste what it is like to ride a motorcycle.

The informal open day took place on Sunday - bringing together the biking community to show people what they have been missing out on.

Read more: Dave Myers: Si King, Lili Myers on remarkable Dave Day total | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

Rich Tav presents Denise Backhouse with her Bike of the Day certificate (Image: Les Trotter)

Debbie said: "I arranged to bring a group of bikers from Route 59 Biker Café near Skipton which included a number of female riders as we are trying to encourage more ladies to take up biking.

"Over 180 bikers came and went over the course of the day, coming from Barrow, Accrington, Widnes, Liverpool and Skipton."

Some of the vintage motorcycles on display on Sunday (Image: Debbie Alstead)

Besides promoting the biker lifestyle, the day also raised money for Vickerstown Football Club through collection buckets.

Rich Tav, owner of Tav’s Inn Burger Van on Walney Island, agreed to host the day, which coincided with the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Group's regular meet-up.

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Also present were the Morecambe Bay Estuaries Advanced Motorcyclists, and photographers Arthur Clark of Furness Bike Pics, Les Trotter, Simon Evans and VJMC photographer Stewart Michael Hobbs.

The sun was shining on Sunday for the new event (Image: Debbie Alstead)

Read more: Dave Myers: Dave Day shirts to be turned into charity piece | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

Debbie, who passed her motorbike test in 1981, added: "The day gave people a chance to network, chat, make new contacts and friends and raise money for and promote good causes - for example Blood Bikers. 

"And, following Dave Day, it promoted togetherness and biking in general -a great day was had by all who attended, and I would love to be able to organise another open day in the future so watch this space."

Debbie is now hoping that the open day can be a regular event in Barrow (Image: Debbie Alstead)

Debbie played a special part in the Dave Day celebrations in June, and she hopes that her story can inspire other people to give biking a try.

"I am just about to celebrate my 62nd birthday on August 29 so, to all potential bikers out there, age is no barrier," she said.

"On Dave Day, I led a group of over 50 bikers from Route 59 café to Burton services - we inevitably got split up when we set off from the services but we had an incredible day, one never to be forgotten."