Ryota Igarashi, who “was not allowed to ride a motorcycle when he was an active player,” joined the “Yakult OB Large Motorcycle Club,” and the reporter of this magazine closely followed his exhaustion.

The “Tokyo Yakult Wing Club,” a motorcycle club formed by Yakult alumni, was reported in “FRIDAY” (October 18 and 25, 2012). As a matter of fact, the reporter who interviewed them was also a motorcycle enthusiast who belonged to a touring club when he was a student. We would like to look back on the motorcycle-loving activities of the “Yakult Wan-dan” from the viewpoint of a motorcycle enthusiast who spent half a day in close contact with the group.

It was in the middle of the lingering summer heat when I got word that the “Yakult Circle” would be touring on September 17. We were told to meet at the Ishikawa parking lot on the Chuo Expressway (Hachioji City, Tokyo) at 7:30 in the morning. When I arrived somewhat early, seven large motorcycles had already gathered. A group of large men were chatting and laughing at an outdoor table. In the center was Koichi Nishizawa, 61, the club’s founder and former pitcher.

Do-do ……!　After a while, a huge “BⅯW R18” with a brazen sound arrives.

No~, I got stuck in traffic.”

Dashing in wearing a half-cap and T-shirt was Ryota Igarashi, 45, a former major leaguer who is now a sought-after MLB baseball commentator. Known as the “Kimura Taku of the baseball world,” Ryota Igarashi started his career in the Major Leagues with Yakult, playing for the New York Mets and Yankees. After returning to Japan, he played for his old team, Yakult, and ended his active career at the end of 2008.

Mr. Friday is the reason I’m here.

Igarashi, a.k.a. “Iggy,” is so busy with the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani that there is not a day that goes by that he is not seen on TV. Despite his precious time off, he is so passionate about motorcycles that he wants to spend it touring with his friends.

Gathered in the parking lot were a heavily customized Harley “Softail” and a popular old Japanese model “Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 Kai. Other vehicles included Triumphs and Honda Rebels. The majority of the participants were large motorcycles, and to keep up with the pace, the reporter joined the event on a 40-year-old Suzuki GSX1000S Katana. The “Nine” were handed stickers of the “Yakult Rin-dan” and set off for Shiraito Falls in Shizuoka Prefecture.

After shifting from the Chuo Highway, the group exited the Higashi-Fuji-Goko Highway and headed for the national highway, where the heat seemed to increase. The group drove safely at the legal speed of 50 km/h. Although they could feel the wind, it was as if they were standing in front of an outdoor air conditioner unit in their safety riders’ wear. …… was envious of Mr. Igarashi, who was riding comfortably with his T-shirt fluttering in the wind.

–You are a very thorough and safe driver. Do you usually keep this in mind?

Mr. Igarashi: “It’s because of Mr. Friday,” laughs one of the members.

One of the members laughed.

I made up my mind before I retired.”

On the way to Narusawa Roadside Station, we took a break to interview Mr. Igarashi, who posed astride his 1800cc motorcycle. Here, we photographed Mr. Igarashi, the star of the show, as he posed astride his bulky 1800cc motorcycle. The scar on his right elbow from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2006, similar to that of Shohei Ohtani, is painful. Igarashi said, “I wish I had the experience I had when I was active.

I wanted to experience biking and skiing while I was still active, two hobbies that are extremely risky for athletes and therefore prohibited. So before I retired, I decided to go to a driving school and get a large motorcycle license.

Mr. Igarashi, a man of action, has fulfilled both of his dreams.

The group arrived at their destination, Shiraito Falls, at 11:00 am. The heat in the city was a complete contrast to the blissful oasis of negative ions. After taking a group photo, the group went to a cafeteria to enjoy the famous B-class gourmet “Fujinomiya yakisoba” (fried noodles).

I’ve been touring for a few months now,” said Mr. Kurokawa, “and since it’s difficult for me to stay overnight when I’m on regional tours, I do most of my touring on day trips. Once, just the two of us went to Odawara to eat fish with ‘Tomo-san'” (one of the members).

Tomo-san” ……. Tomohito Ito (54, current pitching coach of the Yakult baseball team), who was once famous for his high-speed slider, is said to be a member of the group.

After an early lunch, we left Shiraito Falls before noon. It was around 15:00 when we arrived at the Ashigara Service Area on the Tomei Expressway, where we were to disband. The touring distance was about 300 km. It was only half a day, but it was half a day. While the reporter was exhausted, it was impressive to see the satisfaction on the faces of the “Yakult Circle Club” members, who enjoyed touring on their brief holiday, with no sign of fatigue.