Andrew Pollock writes:
Final count by Cumbria Police was 46,136 bikes/trikes many with a pillion rider, and 200,000 spectators on motorway services, bridges, and towns/villages on the final leg down the A590, with what seemed like most of Barrow-in-Furness turning out to welcome the ride. There was a real carnival/festival atmosphere and the whole event including entertainment laid on at the town hall and rugby league ground was a roaring success. Pictures and comments about how the riders were blown away by the welcome and experience continue to be posted on the associated facebook group a week after the event.
For our part the Bellringing Motorcyclists rang from 2pm, starting with Stedman and then concluding with an excellent quarter peal of Grandsire Triples that finished about 3.10pm. Their bikes lined up outside the church got everyone in the mood for what was to come when the main procession arrived in Barrow. With a brief break in the middle for refreshments including a Hairy Bikers recipe banana loaf with walnuts (and lots of other food treats – thanks to all that donated) we had open general ringing from 3.15pm to 5pm. We expected to finish after the last bike arrived, but they were still coming an hour later! … but at least this gave the ringers a chance to join the massed motorbikes in the centre of town. It was great to ring in tribute to Dave Myers – Barrovian and real ambassador for the town, and everyone seemed to be in such a positive frame of mind just like Dave had always been. Thanks to the biker community, and especially Si King, Woody, and of course Dave’s wife Liliana. RIP Dave Myers (8th Sep 1957 to 28th Feb 2024).
