The Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally has long been associated with Austin, but has found a permanent home to the east in Bastrop County.
Getty ImagesSince 1995, the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally has been held at the Travis County Expo Center in northeast Austin. Not this year, as the ROT Rally moves about 20 miles east into Bastrop County. From Thursday, June 9 to Sunday, June 12, motorcyclists from far and wide will head out on FM 969 to Mere’s Reserve, an events space on the Colorado River.
“We are excited for our new permanent location with 150 plus acres of beautiful Texas landscape,” organizers wrote on the event’s website. “This new site brings a new vision and excellent long-term partnerships to grow The Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally to one of the top Rallies in the US. In addition, the new site will create a fresh feel and opportunities to embrace the Motorcycle Lifestyle.”
The 2020 ROT Rally was canceled and in 2021 it was moved to Circuit of the Americas after a last-minute relocation. Organizers note that any tickets or RV space reservations purchased for the 2022 event, originally thought to be in Austin, will be honored at Mere’s Reserve.
The event will include live music, charity rides, Mexico’s Motorcycle Acrobats, the second-annual Derwood Invitational Builder Show, and a host of vendors and food trucks.
Despite moving out of Austin, some of Austin’s finest are making their way down FM 969 to entertain the mass gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s announced that her other band, The BlueBonnets, would be opening for punk band X — co-fronted by new-ish Austinite John Doe — on Friday, June 10, at Mere’s Reserve with the Reverend Horton Heat. The guitarist and singer promises the show is worth the trip and the heat.
Outlaw country singer Ray Wylie Hubbard headlines the previous night and British blues rockers Foghat take the main stage on Saturday, June 11.