Dykes, bikes and body art
Dykes on Bikes are revving up for their annual Bike and Tattoo show. Ron Hughes reports.
Sydney’s Dykes on Bikes have been running the Bike and Tattoo Show for around 20 years and it’s one of their most popular events.
The day kick starts with the Bikes section, with various categories to enter: Cruiser, Sports, Tourer, Best Dressed, Best Naked, 250cc or under and Rat Bike. The winners in each category will receive an award and a prize. All bikes are also eligible for the People’s Choice award. There’s also a Bundy’s Choice award – Bundy is a blue heeler, the only dog registered with police to ride pillion on a motorbike!
“This is the only queer motorcycle competition I’ve ever heard about in Australia,” club president Nic Fletcher tells SX. Even though it’s run by Dykes on Bikes the event is open to our entire community. We'd love to see some of the boys on bikes come and join in the fun – the more bikes the better. There are some great prizes to be won and I make really good trophies,”
Once the bike judging has finished, it’s time for the infamous wet t-shirt competition.
“I’m sure the wet t-shirt competition is the main reason some of the girls turn up every year,” Fletcher says.
“It’s always great fun and everybody gets into the spirit helping to make each contestant nice and wet.”
The show is then given over to body art. Everyone has the chance to “flash some flesh” and there are awards and prizes for Best Arm, Leg, Front and Back, Best Story and Best Body Modification as well as a People’s Choice award.
There will be live entertainment and other competitions throughout the afternoon, culminating in the fake orgasm competition before everyone goes on to dance the night away.
“Let’s face it – we just love motorcycles and tattoos,” DOB spokesperson Lyn Doherty says.
“This gives us a chance to mingle with other people in our community who like the same things and even if they aren’t really your bag it’s just a great chance to catch up with friends and make some new ones."
Dykes on Bikes: Bike and Tattoo Show 2012, Saturday, February 18, 1pm, Hampshire Hotel, 91 Parramatta Road, Camperdown.
About the Author
Ron Hughes
Ron started working for the Adelaide's former LGBTI newspaper Adelaide GT back in the late 90s. He was first engaged as a temp to work for a single hour and has remained through changes of company and publication for 12 years or so. He became editor of blaze in December 2010.
Ron loves collaborating with people and he also loves the arts, and editing blaze often brings both loves together. He is proud that blaze has played a seminal role over the years promoting not only Adelaide's LGBTI cultural festival Feast, but also the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the OzAsia festival.
Ron is also proud that blaze has devoted itself to championing the rights of all LGBTI South Australians over many years. A bit of a dreamer, he nurtures a secret, furtive hope that SA may one day return to the socially-progressive state it used to be.
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