National Bikers Roundup has love for Gonzales as 2025 host city

Motorcycle enthusiasts from all across the United States met up at JB Wells Arena, Park and Expo Center in Gonzales for the 48^th annual National Bikers Roundup, held Tuesday, July 29 through Sunday, Aug. 3.

While no one present was a fan of the scorching summer sun, everyone was singing the praises of the host city for the love and hospitality that was being shown to riders who, in some cases, rode thousands of miles to take part in the largest camping motorcycle rally held in the United States each year.

“It's a pleasure being in Texas,” said Free Riders MC New Orleans president King. “In the surrounding areas, everybody's so friendly and everybody's so helpful — at the store, the Walmart, the gas station, you know, the community has been great. The chief of police came by and visited with us and he was a real help too.”

“People have welcomed us from the minute we hit town, there was a big sign saying ‘Welcome Bikers Roundup,’” Spark, a member of the Star MCs out of Atlanta, Georgia. “Even in Walmart, they had a big old sign up that welcomed us and they were all to willing to help us find whatever we needed — ketchup, paper plates. Everyone has been so welcoming — even in the liquor store, they gave us recommendations of where to go in town and what to get.”

“There’s so much room here (at JB Wells) and everyone has been so nice and so helpful,” said Z-Bo, the sergeant at arms for the Hard Riders MC out of Houston. “It’s just great being here.”

“People of Gonzales have been wonderful,” said Lord Slim of the Street Lords MC out of Houston. “Everyone is so nice.”

“We definitely appreciate and we love the fact that Gonzales has been so open armed with us showing up and showing love and willing to keep business hours open a lot longer for us,” said Da Mob MC member 9 Line. “We really appreciate all the help that they've done.

“I'm not going to lie to you, though, that what I love about here is to come out here and ride new motorcycles and spending time seeing all the work everybody's put in throughout the years to get their bikes to where they are, and the sounds and the feel of everything around is really something you have to show up down here and really enjoy.”

More than 1,000 motorcycle clubs attended the six-day event, which is organized by several primarily African-American clubs. Perhaps half of the participants at the gathering were African-American women, who held a number of side trips in what was known as the “2025 Texas Takeover.” Stops included the Edwards Association Community Center and the San Antonio Distillery as well as a charity ride through the streets of Gonzales.

Several nationally recognized music acts performed at the National Bikers Roundup as well, including Marcus Ardoin & Da Zydeco Legendz; DJ Interlude; Keyun & the Zydeco Masters; Marco Richh; Fat Daddy; Mr. Smoke & The Smoke Band; and Trae The Truth.

The first roundup was organized in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1977 by Dallas Thibodeaux and Rozell Nunn Jr. and attracted 49 riders. It has grown in stature since then to become a multiple-day event with as many as 30,000 to 40,000 participants who enjoy camping, exhibition of their rides, parades, stunt shows and other entertainment, including drag racing and contests.

Those who attended the gathering all said one of the best things was being able to get together with other like-minded people to enjoy fellowship and talking about the thrill of riding.

“I love the club, being wth my brothers and sisters and being around the camaraderie of motorcycles,” Da Mob member In 2 Deep said.

“I’ve been coming (to the Roundup) for about 15 years,” said Free Riders MC member Five Star. “It's about the Brotherhood and the bike culture. You don't meet a stranger. It's like one big, happy family and then everyone outside the rally has been so positive-minded and welcoming and that’s just the icing on the cake.”

“Some of these people — it’s the only time we might get to see them as they come from different parts of the country and different states,” added King. “It’s good to be able to rub elbows with them.”

Spark enjoys riding with her mother, Fancy, who is a member of the Immortal Soulz out of St. Louis.

“I started riding in 2013 and what got me riding is I wanted to try something different,” Spark said. “I like the camaraderie andmeeting new people, and now that my mother started riding, it's just like an additional bond that we have together now, because my older sister doesn't ride, so me and mom, we have this little bond now. We get to meet different people from all places, all nationalities and I love it.”

“Like my daughter says, I like meeting new people and hanging out and going to different places,” Fancy added. “I'm retired Army. Since I'm retired Army, this is what I like — getting around, talking to people, enjoying the atmosphere that I'm in right now, not to mention the fact that I'm meeting people that I've never met before and having a good time. I've never been to this area of Texas, and I'm loving the fact that I'm in Gonzales, Texas and meeting all these new people!”

“Roundup is a great opportunity for us to spend some time together with the folks we haven't seen from around the country, and actually honor the ones who came before us who spent the time and effort to get this coordinated and have it continue on for the last 48 years now,” 9 Line said. “It really is a time to remember those before us and those who hopefully that are to come.”