The Republic of Texas Biker Rally

Austin, Texas, home of the oddly liberal Republican, is also home of one of the most fascinating events known to mankind: the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, or ROT Rally.

Every year the Harley-Davidson shops begin twisting their gears and revving their engines. Motorcycles begin appearing as if spontaneously. Life-long HOG riders and weekend enthusiasts come out in droves. The ROT Rally has begun.

An event for the observer and participant alike, the ROT Rally came into full force in Austin this year, showing all it's colors and noise in glorious fashion. Bikers from all over advance on the Texas hill country for the ROT Rally. They come for the experience of the ROT Rally. They come to simply be able to say they were there. They come to be able to cruise the Texas hill country in style, absorbing the glorious view and almost continuously sunny Austin weather.

And Austinites of all shapes and sizes welcome them with open arms. ROT Rally enthusiasts are welcome because of the amazing motorcycles, because of the eclectic and oddly always in fashion clothing and extravagance. But mainly, the reason Austinites and the Austin economy welcome the ROT Rally is because it brings an annual boon to the economy of almost $40 million.

As many motorcycle buyers note, Harley-Davidson motorcycles are not cheap. These bikes are well made and encourage buyers to pay for it. But not only the bikes are on the auction block during the ROT Rally. Harley-Davidson has a long and extensive line of merchandise to encourage the biker lifestyle. Many of those that attend the ROT Rally have ridden Harley's all their driving lives, and they sport the team colors every time they hit the road.

Step into any Harley shop around ROT Rally time and you'll be confronted with sales people, men and women of all shapes and sizes, with real and worn sleeve-tattoos covered with Harley t-shirts. It takes close inspection to realize that the tattoos all over the lovely-lady sales person's arms may or may not be real. The worn tattooed sleeves are special made to look as close to the real thing as possible, creating an expression of the biker lifestyle that simply cannot be ignored. And, of course, the real sleeve tattoos are of a level of quality that says many hours were spent in the tattoo parlor, and none of those hours were cheap.

But it isn't just the money that should be noted during the ROT Rally. This is a time for a biker that might otherwise be shunned by the more conservative crew to be able to come out into the open and be greeted with open arms. Who can resist a big, bearded, burly, tattoo covered bike rider and the bohemian lifestyle he exudes?

Being an Austinite born and raised, I've always been surrounded by the more eclectic and liberal versions of the otherwise conservative state of Texas. But one memory I'll never forget is of a ROT Rally biker on his way to the downtown festival. A Viking of the road, thick beard and sunglasses atop the ever prevalent leather jacket, this biker didn't just indicate which lane he was going to, but by look and presence dictated where he was going and who should make way for him. This is the kind of awesome vision that the ROT Rally brings.

Texas and Austin in particular is full of sites and sounds that are truly unique in the world. Texans are known for making everything bigger and better, shunning all that is timid and otherwise less than boisterous. The ROT Rally is no exception. Definitely an event to behold, seen, felt, smelled and heard, the ROT Rally is a true Texas experience.

Next time you are in the Austin area during the early summer time and you see a mob of Harley riders go by, follow them, if you can keep up. It might just lead you to the ROT Rally and an event you won't soon forget.