Chrome, leather, flesh

Chrome, leather, flesh

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Some 50,000 bikers gathered for the ROT Biker Rally on the outskirts of Austin, a four-day event that included concerts, a parade through the state capital, body parts flashing and fresh tattoos added to already inked skin.

Cody Ives, 22, drew applause and the odd gasp from the crowd as he performed on a wooden "Wall of Death", riding a Harley Davidson SX 250 almost twice as old as him.

. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif
Bikers show off their machines with the Texas State Capitol building as a backdrop.

The event passed off without incident after a fight in May among rival motorcycle gangs in Waco, about 100 miles to the north, left 9 people dead.

For a few bikers, the heavy police presence made the gathering of chrome and leather too subdued.

"What happened in Waco ruined the party with all these cops hanging out," said Jesse Alvarez as he rode off.

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Slideshow

Revellers sit in the back of a golf cart.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Revellers sit in the back of a golf cart.

Revellers blow bubbles towards bikers.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Revellers blow bubbles towards bikers.

Bikers photograph women sitting on top of a bar on Sixth Street.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Bikers photograph women sitting on top of a bar on Sixth Street.

Revellers dance during a concert.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Revellers dance during a concert.

Rally-goers take in the views from the back of their camper van.
. Austin, Unoited States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Rally-goers take in the views from the back of their camper van.

Bikers gather in prayer during a Sunday church service.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Bikers gather in prayer during a Sunday church service.

Revellers embrace during a concert.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Revellers embrace during a concert.

A couple rides along the Boulevard of the Republic.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

A couple rides along the Boulevard of the Republic.

Rally-goers ride in a cart.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Rally-goers ride in a cart.

A biker couple cruises down the Boulevard of the Republic.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

A biker couple cruises down the Boulevard of the Republic.

Revellers and motorbikes converge along Sixth Street.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Revellers and motorbikes converge along Sixth Street.

A rally-goer sports cowboy boots while a bike passes by.
. Austin, United States. Reuters/Adrees Latif

A rally-goer sports cowboy boots while a bike passes by.