When you cross the line into this tiny Victorian tourist town, the first thing you might notice is the sign that says, “WELCOME TO EUREKA SPRINGS: Population 2278- Please Ride Quietly.” The entire village is on the National Register of Historic Places, and though it’s nestled somewhere between the third and fourth notch of the Bible Belt, the population is an eclectic mix. Artists and hippies, country folk and rockers, conservatives and liberals, gays and straights, and they’ve all somehow learned to peacefully coexist on a very small, mountainous patch of land.

What’s most surprising is the number of motorcyclists that make their way through the town. Bikers love Eureka Springs. It’s a friendly place, full of shops and bars with patios and art galleries and excellent outdoor cafés, all locally owned. Many establishments advertise as being “Biker Friendly,” including one that doesn’t even allow you in if your motorized vehicle has more than three wheels.

I visited Eureka recently because a tattoo artist there told me that it was Diversity Weekend, and that a group called the Diversity Bikers would be riding through town. It sounded so interesting that I decided it was worth the drive. Not that bikers aren’t a diverse enough group as it is…

I did meet some of the Diversity Bikers, a great group of women who were riding to War Eagle Mill and back before attending some of the other planned festivities. Afterward, I made my way around town to check out what else was going on.

What was going on was motorcycles. Lots and lots of motorcycles. Winding along the main streets of town, cruising the side streets, filling the parking lots and stopping in front of every shop and attraction in town. I was in heaven, gazing upon the beauty of all that metal and chrome, and talking with some of the bike owners.

It soon became apparent that while not everyone was in town for Diversity Weekend (or even knew about it), all were there to enjoy the warm spring weather, the Ozark twisties and the friendly hospitality of the citizens of Eureka Springs. I spent hours shooting photos of a sea of cycles and bikers from every walk of life. Now that’s diversity.