AUSTIN—It's that time of year when hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists make their way to Austin.
2016 marks the 22nd annual Republic of Texas, or ROT Biker Rally. Bikers are not letting the recent the rock throwing incidents spoil their fun.
Rick Williams is a former Austinite who now lives in Missouri. The annual ROT Rally is one of his favorite traditions.
"It's just a way to reconnect with first off Austin again, and then just like-thinking riders that like to be outside,” said Williams.
Every year, the rally brings thousands of bikers to the Austin area. For some, like Andy Miguez’s 11-year-old dog, this year is their first time coming.
"She's enjoying it,” Miguez said of his canine companion. “We rode through downtown, I didn't want to go on the highway with her, so we rode through downtown. I got a lot of looks, a lot of honks, a lot of thumbs up."
This year, ROT Rally organizers are urging attendees to be alert amidst Austin's ongoing rock throwing cases.
"Rock throwing of the size they're throwing is disconcerting, but we usually ride the back roads anyways,” said Williams.
With 200,000 bikers expected to flood downtown this weekend, the Austin Police Department suggests motorcyclists avoid traveling along I-35.
"What we are advising is just to be aware of your surroundings,” said Destiny Winston with APD. “If you can take an alternate route, go ahead and do so."
But some say it's not the rock throwing that concerns them.
"I pass more people looking down at a phone or punching at it, and that worries me," Williams said.
Despite these uncertainties, Williams says he plans on having a good time again this year, and many years down the road. APD urges drivers to be extra alert with the high amount of bikers in town. There has already been one reported motorcycle accident so far, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.