Certain universes exist entirely unnoticed under each one of our nose(s) [plural? singular? any ideas?], and their revelation is always a delight. It was as such that I learned of the existence of Kenny Roberts, now 64 and a motorcycle legend. Born in Modesto, California (the birthplace of George Lucas and the set for his movie “American Graffiti”), Roberts, shown below in the blue T-shirt, has been a pioneer of motorcycle racing, innovating all things two-wheeled and winning about every prize worth winning. It turns out that he has a deep fondness for Kumamoto, no doubt in no small part due to his wife, Tomoko, being a Kumamoto native.
The Kumanichi headlined their article, “Motorcycle King Cheers On his Beloved Aso.” Apparently, Roberts has quite a following here as over 1,000 leather-clad bikers with motorcycle displacements likely far exceeding that of my kei car turned out to encourage Kumamoto along with him. Since 2010, Roberts has been the chairman of the Aso Riders Base Club; this event was sponsored by the Terabaru Driving School (suggested moto: “Be a terrible driver!”)
Roberts was quoted as saying, “Though times have been difficult, look to the future - I pray for a wonderful Kumamoto!” before thundering off into the beautiful Aso countryside with his wife at his side (rear? sidecar? different bike? - the article does not clarify).
Thank you, Kenny! Below is a link to his Wikipedia biography. - William
