Among the tens of thousands of riders to descend on Austin this weekend for the Republic of Texas Biker Rally will be a small but devoted band of bikers called the Redeemed Riders of Crockett.
Mixing their ministry with mechanics, they are faithful, in seemingly equal measure, to their bikes and to God.
Along with the Shalom Riders from Gun Barrel City, the Van Zandt County Resurrection Riders, the Alamo Apostles of San Antonio and the Waco Riders of the Son, the Redeemed gang is a religious riding club belonging to the Christian Motorcyclists Association. The Christian bikers, many of whom count themselves as one-time wayward riders, now use the saddle as a pulpit.
Call it Crucifixion and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
The religious riders and about 37,000 others are expected in the city starting Thursday. Now in its 10th year, the Republic of Texas rally pumps as much as $32 million into the local economy, according to officials at the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Riders might snag a peek at a daredevil show, listen to an engine-revving contest or watch a Hank Williams Jr. concert, but many are unlikely to take time to read their Bible
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