Motorcycling hero pays surprise visit to Lake District attraction

John McGuiness in front of the Isle of Man TT exhibition

Motorcycling legend John McGuinness has sprung a surprise visit on the Lakeland Motor Museum to check out his personal collection of superbikes taking pride of place at the Cumbrian attraction.

Known as the ‘Morecambe Missile’, John is the second most successful TT rider of all time next to the late Joey Dunlop.

He currently loans six motorcycles with Isle of Man history to the Motor Museum as part of a special exhibition marking the astonishing achievements of riders taking on the challenge of the famous TT. The most recent addition was his 2014 TT Zero winning Shinden San / Team Mugen electric bike earlier this year.

Director Edwin Maher says it was a complete surprise for all the staff to see the TT legend walking through the door. He comments, “John has a long-standing relationship with the Lakeland Motor Museum, but his visit was entirely out of the blue. Although he is from the North West, his work commitments take him around the world so we were delighted he took the time to come and see us for a whistle-stop tour through motorcycling heritage.”

During his visit, the motorcycling hero also browsed more than 80 other motorcycles displayed as part of the museum’s wider collection, including a collection of rare Vincent motorbikes from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.