Blackburn racer Carl Fogarty makes surprise visit to bike meet-up

Two-Wheel Tuesday has been running since 2013, and was the brainchild of former pub landlord Ben Devlin.

Current proprietor, Dave Tranmer, has overseen the event as it continues to flourish and attract thousands of bikers and non-riders alike from the first Tuesday in April until the end of October.

Carl Thomas, 41, from Norwich, said: “I come every week, it’s my local place to come for a meet.

"It’s great to meet new faces and, obviously, you never know who might turn up.

“It’s great Foggy was here. They’re all heroes, he’s a rider isn’t he so he’s a hero. I’m a biker so they all are.

"I let him do his thing, I’m not one of these who would jump all over him. He’s got more than enough people.”

‘Foggy’, a four-time World Superbike champion from Blackburn, is adored by an army of loyal supporters after becoming one of Britain’s most popular sporting figures in the 1990s.

He also rose to fame again when he won I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2014.

Many were left grinning from ear to ear when they got the chance to unexpectedly rub shoulders with him at the meet up in Old Buckenham, Norfolk, on Tuesday, August 15.

Steve Kingston-Miles, better known as Bumble, made the trip to the popular Two-Wheel Tuesday gathering hosted by the Ox & Plough pub.

He said: "I got a sneaky photo with him, I didn’t know he was coming.

"I came up because I thought my friend, Carl Thomas might be here and he said: ‘Foggy’s coming’ and I was like ‘is he?’.

"We were looking for him and obviously we found him. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say to him, I didn’t have a clue - probably ‘you came in the van didn’t you?’

“I am surprised to see him in Norfolk. I’ve never met him before but I have seen him race.”

The superbike icon, who won 'I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!' in 2014, was in Norfolk on business catching up with North Lynn-based Bikesure, the motorcycle insurance broker he has been brand ambassador for since 2012.

The one-time King of the Jungle said: “It was a fantastic evening and an amazing turnout of bikes.

“The weather was amazing, it’s a great free event. I’ve been to quite a few bike meetings over the years, but I’ve never seen anything like that one before. It was a huge turnout.

“I was mucking in, flipping a few burgers and pulling a few pints, and if I’m ever down in Norfolk again I’ll definitely be calling in on the Ox & Plough on a Two-Wheel Tuesday.”

Mr Tranmer said: “We’ve never had anyone as famous as Carl Fogarty here before.

"It was a privilege to have him here and that he was even interested to come. It just proves how popular Two-Wheel Tuesday is. He had a great night as far as I’m concerned, it was a pleasure to have him.

“There were 1,200 bikes here, which equates to about 1,800 people on the green. It gets bigger and bigger every year. Bikers love it, most of the village love it - there’s a few that don’t, but what can I do? I try and keep it as peaceful and friendly as I can.

“It’s so popular because it’s on the village green. We give them a variety of food, a variety of drinks and there’s never any trouble.

"There’s loads of places to park and I think it’s in an area where the public can come to the green, have a great night and look at bikes - and bikers love people looking at their bikes. It’s just a great, peaceful evening.”

To see a short video of his surprise appearance, click here.