AUSTIN, TX - They ride in from all over coming from San Antonio, Pennsylvania, even as far away as Switzerland.
They even speak their own language.
"It's a green ultra-classic," said one rider.
"It has V.S.S., H.S.S. She's a beauty," said another rider.
Through Sunday, motorcyclists will be rolling on a road near you for one thing.
"The best party in Texas, good looking women, lots of beer, and tons of beautiful bikes," said one motorcycle rider who goes by "Bones."
A church group offering free washes makes sure bikes like Bone's green Harley are rally ready. Pastor Frank Mcilhaney supervises, making sure Christ is not forgotten in the chrome.
"People see you in a suit, and they don't think you have any other interest except for getting behind a pulpit and preaching." Mcilhaney said.
By Friday morning, black leather and bikes covered the Travis County Expo Center. Rally festivities took a back seat to the freedom nearly every Republic Of Texas (ROT) rider came for -- a weekend escape from real life.
"The name is 'Short Dog,'" said one rider who works at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics by day.
"It's one wild ride," said newlywed Melissa Fracasso.
Fracasso, a South Texas native, was looking for a honeymoon spot and says the ROT Rally was just what she was looking for.
"It's been amazing; more than what we could even hope for," she said.
"A whole lot happens [here]," said Short Dog. "What happens at the rally stays at the rally, pretty much."
It is an unspoken rule leaving the stories behind when they hit the open road.
