Republic of Texas ROT Rally, Austin

The Republic of Texas (ROT) Rally was originally a Harley-Davidson Owners Group Rally. Harley dropped it and local Austin enthusiasts picked it up. Now it attracts bikers of all stripes.

The picture to the left is the parking lot outside the rally where bikers park and walk up to buy their tickets. It was loaded with hundreds of beautiful motorcycles. As soon as I got around the parking lot, departing bikes would be replaced with scores more new arrivals. Camping was available inside the fairgrounds which is where all the entertainment and vendors were located.

There were all the usual Harley-Davidson's -- the Road King is one of my favorites. I like the long, low look un-interrupted by a windshield or sissy bar. Then there were custom paint jobs, fat tires and performance parts. The skulls on the blue tank fade in and out as you walk around. Small children could get lost in that huge exhaust pipe in the picture on the right. That bike has some other features, too, that do not look like they came out of a catalog.

Not surprisingly, some of the bikes had a Texas theme. The Harley below flies the Lone Star Flag and the Yamaha Road Star in the middle claims to be a Texas Edition. And who doesn't love fantasy art. Pin up girls painted on bombers in WWII were called nose art. It's a weakness of mine.