https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2007-05-24/478324/

Bikes, Babes, and Burlesque: Republic of Texas Biker Rally Roars Through Town (Updated)

By Cheryl Smith, May 24, 2007, 4:42pm, Newsdesk

Update: Oops. A commenter points out the ROT Rally is next weekend, not this one. Our apologies – see where bathtub crank gets you?

If your engine isn't already revved, get it going, because the self-proclaimed Longest Motorcycle Parade in the History of Texas bombs through town next Friday night, and – biker or not – it's worth checking out. According to a press release from Roadway Productions, the event's promoter, the 13th annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally "starts with an escorted parade that leaves the Expo Center rally site at 7:30 PM sharp. The bikes negotiate a 10-mile route to the State Capital. As the first bikes start the parade on Congress, the last bikes are still waiting to leave the Expo Center!"

That's a hell of a lot of hogs – more than 60,000, according to the press release, which says the parade ends with the "motorcycles parking down the center of Congress Avenue from 3rd Street to the Capital. 2 Stages of live entertainment keep the party going until midnight with loud rock & roll and sexy young ladies." That’s right, you heard it here: "sexy young ladies." The press release also says two half-hour burlesque shows are scheduled – one for 8:30pm and one for 12mid – although it doesn't specify if they feature sexy young ladies or sexy young gents. (Don't get your hopes up, girls.)

To ensure that everyone is in good spirits for the burlesque shows, the release also includes some safety tips for the parade.

Drivers:

1) "Do not follow too close."

2) "Check mirrors more often."

3) "Watch for motorcycles pulling out onto roads."

4) "Drive a little slower."

5) "Please be patient in traffic!"

Parade Spectators:

1) "[S]pread out on both sides of the road."

2) "Do not stand in the road."

3) "Do not try to touch the bikers or hand them anything."

4) "Stay up on the sidewalk."

For more details on the rally, including Friday night's entertainment schedule, check out the official ROT Web site.