{"id":75538,"date":"2025-06-30T12:59:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T11:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solopress.com\/blog\/?p=75538"},"modified":"2025-10-06T11:10:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:10:17","slug":"on-the-road-with-dave-day-2025-how-print-helped-unite-the-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solopress.com\/blog\/charities\/on-the-road-with-dave-day-2025-how-print-helped-unite-the-route\/","title":{"rendered":"Dave Day 2025: how print helped unite the route"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are some people whose presence feels larger than life, not just because of what they do, but how they do it. Dave Myers was one of them. Best known as one half of the Hairy Bikers, alongside his friend and co-presenter Si King, Dave brought joy, warmth and humour to millions through their shared love of food, travel and good company. Together, they rode the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, exploring regional recipes, championing community stories and cooking hearty dishes from the saddle of their motorbikes.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Dave died<\/span> in February 2024, the outpouring of public affection was immediate and heartfelt. Friends, fans and fellow riders wanted to do something meaningful to honour him, not just once, but every year. That\u2019s how Dave Day<\/a> began \u2014 not simply as a memorial, but as a celebration of everything Dave stood for: friendship, generosity, curiosity and the thrill of the open road.<\/p>\n

Dave Day 2025 riding into its second year<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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The first event in June 2024 saw tens of thousands of bikers travel from London\u2019s iconic Ace Caf\u00e9<\/a> to Barrow-in-Furness, Dave\u2019s hometown, forming one of the largest motorbike ride-outs the UK has ever seen. At its heart was a deep sense of shared purpose to remember a man who brought people together through simple pleasures and a passion for life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now in its second year, the 2025 edition built on that spirit, with an even broader programme of events including live music, celebrity football, a raffle to win a custom bike and a festival atmosphere in Barrow that welcomed bikers, locals and supporters from across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who benefits from Dave Day?<\/b><\/h3>\n

As well as bringing people together, Dave Day raises money for two charities close to Dave\u2019s life and legacy. Proceeds are split 50\/50 between the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first is NSPCC Childline<\/a>, the UK\u2019s 24\/7 confidential helpline for children and young people. Every day, counsellors at Childline support those experiencing abuse, bullying, mental health challenges and more, offering a safe space at the time it\u2019s needed most.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second is CancerCare North Lancashire and South Cumbria<\/a>, a regional charity providing free counselling, therapy and practical help to anyone affected by cancer or bereavement. With centres in Barrow, Lancaster, Kendal and Morecambe, the charity supports families across a wide area, including many in the community where Dave grew up.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to these two nominated charities, bikers attending the event were asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to local food banks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solopress helping to bring visual unity<\/b><\/h2>\n

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In the months leading up to the event, organisers Woody and Adelle approached Solopress with a clear challenge: how to apply their designs to printed materials in a way that would create a consistent visual experience from the point of departure in London to the celebration at the destination in Cumbria.<\/span><\/p>\n

By applying the brand assets established by <\/span>the organisers, and in some cases redrawing elements to suit large format print, we were able to supply a mix of products that reinforced the spirit of the event at every stage.<\/p>\n

From start to finish<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At the Ace Caf\u00e9 in London, a landmark location in the biker community and the official starting point of the ride-out, we produced Flags<\/a> and Banners<\/a> that welcomed attendees and set the tone for the journey ahead. Those same visual elements also featured in Barrow-in-Furness, Dave\u2019s hometown, where they appeared around key locations including the concert site, the football ground and the stunt show arena. The aim was to give attendees a strong sense that they were part of a single, shared experience, no matter where they joined the celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Along the route, we produced printed adhesive graphics for event vehicles, helping identify organisers and support cars in a way that was both practical and in keeping with the Dave Day branding.<\/span><\/p>\n

We also created a run of our newly introduced Shiny Stickers<\/a> as a keepsake for attendees. Featuring the \u201cHave a Dave Day 2025\u201d logo, with an illustrated image of Dave himself, these stickers were die-cut to shape<\/a> and printed on our new holographic material. As a small but eye-catching memento, they helped spread the message and gave participants something lasting to take away.\"Dave<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s on: Dave Day weekend 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Following the remarkable turnout in 2024, Dave Day returned in June 2025 with a full weekend of activity that brought thousands together in memory of a much-loved figure. The scale of the event grew in every sense: in distance, spectacle and the number of people involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Saturday 21 June, the motorbike ride-out began once again at London\u2019s Ace Caf\u00e9. Bikers travelled north via the M6 Toll, with charges suspended for the motorcade, and on to Barrow-in-Furness, Dave\u2019s hometown. The ride was led by friends and family, including Si King and Lili Myers, retracing the same route from London to Barrow-in-Furness that first brought fans, riders and communities together to remember Dave.<\/span><\/p>\n

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That evening in Barrow, the focus shifted to live music. A headline concert featured tribute acts performing hits by Dave\u2019s favourite bands, with Darren Wharton\u2019s Renegade<\/a> delivering a set of Thin Lizzy classics, and Hells Bells<\/a>, Europe\u2019s longest-running AC\/DC tribute band, closing the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

A packed programme<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sunday\u2019s programme offered a broad mix of activities across the town centre, all free to attend. Events included:<\/span><\/p>\n