2010 Rallies & Events
16th Annual Republic of Texas (ROT) Rally Part 1
Story and Photos by Jack Cofano
I guess it’s true what they say, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” As this was my first time covering this event, I was amazed at the size and scope of this weekend rally. Taking place June 10-13 in Austin, TX at the Travis County Expo Center it was way more than I expected. It was “Huge” baby “Huge.”
There were so many events taking place over the weekend I would have to write a book to cover them all so I’ll just highlight some of the featured happenings and you can go to the ROT website, http://www.rotrally.com/default.aspx to see everything that was going on.
Being a big music fan, I was impressed with the number of groups performing at the rally. Blood Sweat & Tears, Blue Oyster Cult, Leon Russell, L.A. Guns, and of course Bret Michaels who looked in good health and rocked the amphitheater. They even had daily shows and bands in the air conditioned Thunderdome, which was a great way to get a break from the heat.
One of the biggest events of the rally is without a doubt the ROT Congress Party on Friday featuring the eleven mile Big Ass Biker Parade that starts at the rally grounds and ends at the capitol building in downtown Austin. The city shuts off four blocks downtown and thousands of people come to watch the show and party. The parade led by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame is touted as the world’s longest motorcycle parade. If you have any doubts about the truth of this claim check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TT1JQmOHP0 on YouTube. Be prepared because it takes about twenty minutes for all the bikes to go by. It was even in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2006 as the “Longest Parade of Motorcycles Known to Man.” Freakin’ awesome!
Back at the Expo center, there were bands playing on numerous stages scattered around the event. In the Thunderdome there was always something going on. They even had daily shows with “Gallagher” peppering the crowd with all sorts of fruit and vegetable juice.
An annual event that is close to my heart being a Vietnam era vet is the Military Bike Giveaway. Anyone who serves or has served in the military is eligible to put their name in the cage and the winner is given his choice of three custom bikes to choose from. This year the bikes were built by: Jason Barron of Primer Inc. Customs, Troy Nichols of Lightning Customs and Bronson Willard of Southern Metal Choppers. The winner was presented the bike after a great military tribute onstage and before the Bret Michaels concert.
I’d like to thank the city of Austin and the businesses around the city for making all the bikers welcome, the Austin police department for welcoming the event and supporting the bikers, and especially Denise Garcia who keeps the event running as smoothly as any I have covered.