Photo gallery: Bikes on ice at Italy’s Deus Swank Rally
By Monti Smith
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Riders in the pit getting ready to head out on timed solo runs through the icy track. (Monti Smith)
From the kitchen to the campfire, there's some attention paid to every detail. (Monti Smith)
Modifications for the terrain: Twist screws into tire for snow traction, cross out "DUST" and write "ICE." (Monti Smith)
A vintage KTM in the snow and an open track with nobody tracking your time but yourself — sounds perfect. (Monti Smith)
This Deus XSR900, like much of the event, is a blend of function and style. (Monti Smith)
Riders of all skill levels are welcome at the Swank Rally. (Monti Smith)
Hot goulash, comin' right up! (Monti Smith)
From the bike to the outfit, this rider is equal parts business and style. (Monti Smith)
Looking closely, you'll see some of the same bikes making laps with different riders. When it's all about fun and you're not pushing the bikes to such extremes, it's a little easier to share with the competition. (Monti Smith)
A race-ready Sportster in XR1200 dress (though not a factory XR1200). (Monti Smith)
As if the food and art weren't enough to bring you to Italy, you have gorgeous views like this. (Monti Smith)
Fur collar, Elders Co. helmet and a vintage KTM — is there such thing as too much style? (Monti Smith)
While the vintage and customs get most of the attention, it's riders on bikes like this CR500R that pull the fastest times. (Monti Smith)
Whatever bike the rider was on, most faces wore a smile similar to this one. (Monti Smith)
When it comes to irreverent fun on two wheels, there are few names that sound out as loudly as Deus Ex Machina.
From the beaches of Bali to the snowy mountains of Italy, the team at Deus just knows how to have fun, and they like to prove that fact at events like the Deus Swank Rally that went on just a couple weeks ago in the picturesque Riva Valdobbia region of Northwestern Italy.
The Swank Rally follows the awesomely loose "honor system," with each rider starting and stopping the stopwatch on their own before recording their time. This helps keep the competition loose, and ensures that everyone knows what the real goal is: Make a time you're happy with, but first and foremost — have fun.
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