Behelmeted

Massed deeply back from the avenue were the ranks of citizen soldiery, the natty tars in their tasteful blue uniforms, the regular troops, French, Italian, and other societies, with gay banners and flags, and a whole host of red-shirted, behelmeted volunteer firemen.

Everywhere the locals look, the Jolly Raider flies, their beloved, behelmeted figure with the eyepatch and crossed swords, and the promoters’ slogan for this game: The Passion Returns.

Others, mostly behelmeted casual bikers whose enthusiasm for motorcycling is a monthly Sunday morning ride, also took in the gleam of the chrome and outrageous styling, but were confused that it had a Honda badge on it rather than Harley’s winged logo.