Si King has spoken of how grateful he and the family of Dave Myers are to the thousands of motorcycle riders who honoured the Hairy Bikers star.
Myers, who was part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo with co-presenter King, died in February at the age of 66 following a battle with cancer.
In his memory, motorcyclists rode in convoy across 75 miles to raise funds for cancer research, kicking off in Beverley Market Place in East Yorkshire on Sunday.
The ride of around two and a half hours, organised by Biker Escorts East Yorkshire, moved through various Yorkshire towns and villages including Scagglethorpe and Pickering before coming to an end in the seaside town of Scarborough.
The group had expected around 3,000 riders, but King posted a video message on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday saying there was around double that number.
Si King has spoken of how grateful he and the family of Dave Myers are to the thousands of motorcycle riders who honoured the Hairy Bikers star
The ride began in Beverley Market Place in Yorkshire before moving through various north Yorkshire towns including Scagglethorpe and Pickering
He said: ‘Hello, everybody… I’m compelled to say an enormous thank you because what happened on the ride-out memorial for Dave yesterday was nothing more than astounding.
Six thousand of you turned out as a sign of solidarity and love and affection for the Bikers but particularly for Dave, and ended in Scarborough and I heard you had a very thoroughly good time, and Dave would have loved it.
‘So from the bottom of our heart, Lili [Liliana Orzac], his wife, and his family, his close mates, and me [would like to say] a massive, massive thank you.’
He added: ‘We were all enormously touched by it and please don’t think for one second, it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Love to you all, so pleased you had a lovely day.
‘And thank you, thank you so very much for that show of kindness and solidarity. Love to you all.’
Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Myers’ final series with King continued to air on BBC Two following his death.
He was also known for competing on Strictly Come Dancing and the cookery books he published with King.
The memorial ride, organised by Paul Quigley and his Biker Escorts East Yorkshire organisation, brought hundreds of riders together from across the UK.
King, the other half of the Hairy Bikers duo, had previously issued a message saying his friend ‘would have loved’ the gesture.
Myers, who was part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo with co-presenter King, died in February at the age of 66 following a battle with cancer
The group had expected around 3,000 riders, but King posted a video message on X, formerly Twitter , on Monday saying there was around double that number
The memorial ride, organised by Paul Quigley and his Biker Escorts East Yorkshire organisation, brought hundreds of riders together from across the UK
Myers, one half of the TV cooking duo the Hairy Bikers, died in February aged 66
One of those taking part wore a T-shirt bearing a photograph of the BBC star
Hundreds joined the 75-mile ride through Yorkshire from Beverley to Scarborough
A post on the Hairy Bikers’ official account on X, formerly Twitter, read: ‘A message from Si King to all the riders taking part in today’s Memorial Ride Out for Dave Myers.
‘I hope the ride out goes well for you all. Many many thanks for remembering Dave in this way. He would have loved it. Dave’s family, friends and I are really touched. Love to you all, be safe. Si King x’
Quigley, 54, said ahead of the event in Myers’ honour: ‘I think he means a great deal because he was just a normal and regular bloke who loved cooking and really enjoyed his motorbikes too
‘Everyone has a soft spot for him, for both of them really.’
A Facebook page for the event said the ride was being marshalled and local police had been informed.
Organisers also said they were expecting up to 3,000 bikes to take part due to the interest expressed on the event page.
The ride was expected to last about two and a half hours, after beginning in Beverley Market Place before moving through various north Yorkshire towns including Scagglethorpe and Pickering ahead of arrival in Scarborough.
Widespread tributes were paid when Myers’ death was announced by his TV partner King, who had been at his side at the end along with family.
In a statement released on the Hairy Bikers’ social media, he said: ‘Hi everyone, I’m afraid I bear some sad news.
‘Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years.
‘Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave’s wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home.
‘All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.
‘Personally, I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment.
Dave Myers’ Hairy Bikers partner King had previously today sent his best wishes to those taking part in the 75-mile bike ride
Myers and King on The Hairy Bikers Go West, which recently aired on BBC Two
Fans of the TV star wore outfits shirts portraying him and mentioning his name on Sunday
The event was organised by the Biker Escorts East Yorkshire organisation
King has said his late Hairy Bikers partner Myers ‘would have loved’ the cycle ride
They made their first appearance on UK television as presenters of The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook on the BBC in 2004 and ran for four series (pictured on the show)
Myers shared his heartbreaking final on screen words as his best friend King choked back tears during the last ever Hairy Bikers episode which was shown last month
‘My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can’t follow. I will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime.
‘I wish you god’s speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya.’
Myers worked in a steelworks as a student to help finance his studies in fine arts and later joined the BBC as a make-up artist, specialising in prosthetics.
In 1995, he met his long-time co-presenter King on the set of a TV drama, and they went on to build a friendship and successful career together.
Their combination of riding their motorcycles to locations across the world and cooking as they went earned them a loyal following – and also won over viewers with their northern humour and enthusiasm.
After their first show, the bearded duo went on to film many other series and specials for the BBC, seeking out new dishes in countries such as India, Vietnam, Argentina and Mexico.
In tribute to Myers after his death, BBC Two continued to air the final Hairy Bikers series which saw the pair tour some of their favourite spots in the UK.
The finale shown on March 19 featured the duo visiting Devon and Dorset before sharing an emotional moment at the end of the tour.
A triumphant Myers told the camera: ‘It’s been tough at times. I’ve had chemotherapy all the time we’ve been filming, it hasn’t been easy but we’ve got there and it’s a wonderful feeling.’
King added: ‘We’ve done it, but more importantly he’s done it.’
He then welled up as he said: ‘He’s my mate but I love him like family, like a brother, and I’m lost for words. It’s quite remarkable what he’s done.
‘Who knows what the future holds but for the moment I’m living in the present, and it’s pretty fine.’
After the credits rolled, a tribute read: ‘In loving memory of our friend, Dave Myers.’
Loyal fans of the Hairy Bikers made the 75-mile journey in tribute to Myers
They ended the trip at the resort town Scarborough on England’s North Sea coast
Members of the public also turned out to watch the procession go by
Myers and King are seen here on their first show, The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, in 2006
A tribute after their final show on March 19 read: ‘In loving memory of our friend, Dave Myers’
Earlier episodes showed King filming solo as his partner continued with his treatment.
Myers performed alongside professional dancer Karen Hauer in the 2013 series of BBC primetime favourite Strictly Come Dancing, making it as far as week seven.
She was among those paying tribute after he died, saying she was ‘heartbroken’.
A week after news of Myers’ death was announced, his widow Li shared an emotional tribute while thanking fans for a ‘massive wave of love and support’.
Taking to Instagram on the Hairy Biker account, she wrote: ‘A message from Lili, Dave’s wife.
‘I will never be able to thank you all enough for the massive wave of love, compassion and care that you have shown towards me, Simon and our families in these past days since Dave passed.
‘I want you all to know that I have read every single message and comment that you sent… your stories about Dave, your feelings you shared with me mean a lot and my heart is filled with gratitude and love.
‘It amazes me how many hearts he touched and how many people wanted to express their love for what Dave and Si have created for nearly 20 years.
‘I know the Hairy Bikers have been part of your living rooms for such a long time and I feel your loss as much as you feel mine!
Myers was receiving chemotherapy throughout filming for the 650-mile road trip which featured in the pair’s last BBC series
Myers married Liliana Orzac, whom he met while filming Hairy Bikers in Romania, in 2011 at the star’s hometown in Barrow, Cumbria and was stepfather to her two children, Iza and Sergiu, from a previous relationship
She posted an emotional tribute to her late husband and thanked fans for their support
‘My husband, David Myers was a larger than life character and he did everything with passion, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. His energy was endless when it came to cooking and talking recipes, or biking and talking bikes.
‘An amazing storyteller! And through his stories and TV appearances he was constantly inspiring and encouraging people to cook, travel, to live their life to the fullest.
‘An exceptional husband, wonderful stepdad, loyal friend and in his own words, a creator, never a follower.
‘I feel I’m grieving with a whole nation… and this is something special. My wonderful Dave – Lili Myers.’
