Pattaya Burapa Bike Week

[raro]

It is probably a question of "Who isn't going?"

When I read the other topic I assume pattayaGaz.

My question is, should we put up a somewhere so all the riff-raff fellow members can meet and greet ?

(I'm assuming such a sign would have to be located near a major beer dispenser, with a porta-loo next to it, and a food stall within arms reach)

Ask raro nicely - his wife will have a stall there so would work out well for all! "TV Friday night out"

Wish I have been there! The wife took the car and her staff (assigned by the organizers) didn't show up so she was stuck there and I am stuck at home as the other left over Friday-night aficionado also turned into a couch potato (just like the rest...) and did not pick me up and the only thing I can do now is sit here and post bullsh1t on this splendid forum. Luckily I have beer in the fridge....

[davethailand]

Go HJ you won't be disappointed. Lots to see and drink and eat!!! Not sure which bands are on tonight but there will be music. I know Casino Stelland Honest John and friends are playing tomorrow night.

I think Leo's blues band might play again and Lam Morrison and the rock machine are on at around 9pm and maybe an appearance from Carabao.

[pattaya_girl]

Todays the big day, i am off to get ready, I hope Carabao surprise us all and play some.

[kevkev1888]

Anyone know what time the ride around Pattaya is?

Leaving the show ground 2pm

[davethailand]

Anyone know what time the ride around Pattaya is?

Leaving the show ground 2pm

Just got off the phone with one of the Burapa guys and it leaves at 230pm.

[aussiechick]

Anyone know what time the ride around Pattaya is?

Leaving the show ground 2pm

Every year - they always say leaving the grounds at 2p.m. - usually see them on Beach Road about 3:30 - 4:00p.m. Find a bar with a view and get comfortable.

[LukDod]

Burapha Bike Week - 2009 Feb 13-14, 2009

Gettin' Ready!

Party Time!

IMHO - Best Ride....if not a manikin

[Jimmyd]

Does anyone know if there will there be a ride down beach road today?

[Kerryd]

Well it was quite the ride (especially for my first time).

I got to the stadium around 1, thinking the ride would start at 2. A little while later they announced it would start at 3:30. Shortly after 3:30 another announcement was made and I saw everyone start heading for their bikes.

We moved out onto Soi Chaiyaphruek and the leaders stopped by the rail crossing. We probably sat there for a good half hour, maybe 45 minutes, waiting for everyone to pour out of the stadium and get into position. A couple of false starts and then finally a police siren went off and we were on our way. Riding solo I wasn't able to take pics during the ride, though it looked like almost everyone that had a passenger was taking pics throughout the ride. I'd guess I was somewhere in the first 2-300 bikes, but never got a good look at just how many there were in total.

For the most part the ride was pretty enjoyable, though there were lots of little bikes that kept zipping in and out of the columns as some people obviously didn't want to wait for the huge parade of bikes to go by, but most people at the various intersections just stayed where they were. Must have caused some major traffic jams all over the city.

When we got to Beach Road, the Speedo Brigades were out in force and it seemed everyone of them had cameras as well. Some of the people on the beach looked to be wearing less than your average go-go dancer ! That part of the ride went well, a fair amount of people waving and cheering (those that weren't taking pics). When we got to Walking Street things slowed a bit, as there were numerous delivery vehicles along that portion. Once we got to Bali Hai though the pace picked up a bit and went fairly smoothly until we got to Jomtien.

Through Jomtien was a little slower, but not too bad. Looked like lots of tourists, and I had to concentrate on keeping my attention on the road as a few times I had the urge to stop and chat with what appeared to be some very cute bystanders ! We turned onto soi Chaiyaphruek and the pace picked up noticeably. Once we crossed Sukhumvit it got a little faster, and once we crossed the tracks it turned into a "every man for himself" race to get back to the stadium (I guess to get to a favoured parking spot ahead of the other 10,000 people) !

The marshalls tried to get me to park in the main field, off to one side of the stage, but I didn't want to have the bike stuck in the middle of a mass of other bikes in the event I decided to leave early. I carried on to the other end and came back along the track to the Wrangler & Pythons booths and parked in behind them.

The early evening saw large crowds again, and trying to walk around the rows and rows of booths was a time consuming affair. Traffic along the soi was apparently quite a mess for a long time. I had a friend call me to say she was outside the entrance waiting to get in (with her friends in a car). An hour later she was still stuck outside. Another of my friends decided to leave for a bit, and he too got stuck trying to get back in.

They definitely needed more bathrooms out there as well. For the guys it wasn't as big of concern, but it was a bit awkward for the girls. Interesting too that shortly after dark, every electric light around was surrounded by a cloud of small moths with what appeared to be transparent wings. Yet a couple hours later, they were all gone. Happened both nights.

I left a little after midnight, and though there were still quite large crowds, it was a fair bit easier to manoeuvre the bike through them. There was a bit of traffic along South Pattaya Road between #3 and #2 Roads, and along #2 road was the usual zig-zagging between baht buses that seemed to randomly decide which side of the road to cross over to at the last second. My passenger hadn't ridden with me before (on the Harley) and was asking me a whack of questions. I tried to explain that I wasn't paying much attention to her, as I had to concentrate on the traffic too much.

I've got about 120 pics from yesterday to sort through and upload to Photo-Bucket. Probably only about 80 that I'll actually upload. Then I can post some in the Bikes in Thailand thread in the next day or two.

Then all going well, it will be time to get ready to head out to the Khon Kaen Bike Week next weekend !

[draggons]

Any idea how many bikes were on the run? We were down near the front so no idea how many behind.

[draggons]

Some photos of the run.

[picman]

I've just joined your board after being a lurker for many years of full time Pattaya living. My name is Aaron from Canada. I enjoy photography so as a hobby, I will post my photos of Pattaya if you enjoy seeing the day to day going ons and the colorful people. Had a great time at the bike fest. I wasn't sure if allowing bikes onto the site was a good idea though because it made walking around very difficult when bikes were trying to squeeze by and the obvious exhaust that many bikes were spewing. I also found it amazing that all these biker groups were so calm and peaceful. I guess turf wars were put aside? We really enjoyed Lam Morrison's show. The ex and current mayor gave speeches and Thai & English which got the crowd roaring. Lam was really great to watch on a big stage. They also ran out of Chang beer very early in the night. Considering all the Chang tents and inflatables, didn't they have this area covered? I guess Thai logic doesn't cover the future all too well.