Burapa bike week is actually Burapa bike weekend, with bikers arriving on a Friday and then departing on a Sunday, preferably with a massive hangover.
In previous years the event has been held next to a local sports hall, but this year the American forces were in town and needed the sports hall; perhaps they were going to practice invading it and bringing freedom by slaughtering every one in the area. Whatever, the alternative location was on the hills behind Silverlake and it was a great place to hold a bike rally, mainly because there was masses of space for bikes, bikers, stalls, stages and everyone who came along in cars to have a good gawp, like me.
First thing I found was the cowboy and Indian brigade. I have no idea why Thais have such an affinity for this genre; but almost every festival you attend has people dressing up as Sleeping Bear and Slightly Annoyed Bill Hickok.
My day job is an accountant.
I think the teepee is on fire
Who shot the sheriff? Someone should.
Nearby was a convoy which would not look out of place in Mad Max:
Although there were slightly fewer guns, but more penis extensions and surprisingly visible testicles:
Nice plant sir, is that an Azalia?
Of course you didn’t need to go to the lunatic fringe to find characters, there are plenty to be found among the bikers themselves. They may dress up in leathers and cover themselves in badges proclaiming they are the devil’s bad boys, or similar; but they are actually just good humoured guys who like bikes.
Finally, there were the bikes themselves, plus assorted other transport and objects which defy description:
A most enjoyable couple of hours in the company of people passionate about their hobby; what more can you ask?
All photos: Olympus E-M5 with Panasonic 7-14mm, Summilux 25mm, Olympus 45mm and Olympus 75mm lenses. Rather too much use of Art Filters for the B&W shots; but they are rather fun.
Comments 🔗
2013-02-16| Bob James saysGreat photos Spike.
Pairing the 7-14 with the E-M5, did you experience any of that purple flaring that people have been reporting? Problem has been specific to the OM-D and the superwide Panny lens.
2013-02-17| Robin Parmar saysFantastic shots.
2013-02-17| genuinej saysIs that a self portrait (of you) on the left in the 13th photo?
2013-02-17| Chang Noi saysNice photos, thanks.
Location must have been much better as the old location was always a bit %$^&. I always wonder if Thai know that one part of their favourite cartoons killed the other one.
2013-02-17| Spike saysNo, that’s me in the sixth photo; slightly disguised of course.
2013-02-17| Spike saysIt was an overcast day and even shots towards where the sun would be if it were not covered in clouds produced no flare. I don’t think it is going to be a major problem. I hope not, I really like shooting with this lens. Or I could just stick it on the GX1!
2013-02-17| Spike saysI wonder if any of us know the reality of anything. Some people used to like Jimmy Savile.
2013-02-17| Spike saysThanks Robin, it was a target rich environment!
2013-02-17| David Robinson saysBeautiful photos - put mine to shame. Are there anymore or an official gallery. DR
2013-02-17| Grant says…and it is disturbing to think that somewhere deep in darkest UK, probably in that quaint little village that gave the world Frederick West, someone probably still does like Jimmy Savile…
2013-02-17| Phil saysGreat work ! Crystal clear pictures .
2013-02-17| Phil saysGreat work ! Crystal clear pictures .
2013-02-17| Spike saysThis is as close as it going to get to an official gallery. I have about 250 more; but don’t want to bore people (or myself).
2013-02-17| Spike saysThanks Phil (twice).
2013-02-17| Kevin saysLove the images Spike some great looking shots. Stuck down in Ao Nang at the minute, certainly not a target rich environment. Keep up the good work and maybe we can get together for a coffee next and it’s my round.
2013-02-17| Spike saysYou had me at “it’s my round”.
2013-02-18| John Griggs saysA little tough on us Americans, ain’t ya’ bud?
Great photos though.
John
2013-02-19| Grant saysThe people who suffered “extraordinary rendition” and water boarding at the hands of Americans probably wouldn’t think so. Note to Uncle Spike: Beware incoming drone traffic, you could be next!
2013-02-19| John Griggs saysWell, your prejudices and misinformation are typical of America bashers. Let’s put this in perspective: Waterboarding was used on four – count ’em, four – people who were involved in attacking us and they all lived. The attack on the twin towers murdered THOUSANDS of civilian, non-combatant, innocents. Equivalence? I think not.
Rendition? How many died, Mr. Grant? It’s interesting how none of you have experienced such an event yet you criticize our measured responses which uphold a tradition of valuing life – not the other way around.
But, one can’t reason with haters, so I’ll let it go. But you have been misinformed and are apparently willing to be so.
2013-02-19| Spike saysI have no beef with Americans, but the foreign policy of the American government is not held in high regard by many outside America. If it helps, I have the same disregard for the foreign policy of the UK too.
2013-02-19| Grant saysGoodness me! What an amazing rant… Perchance you would care to elaborate on the thousands (I won’t use capitals, it’s so passe) of civilian, non-combatant, innocent South Vietnamese civilians who were murdered in order to keep the kill rate up during your country’s disastrous excursion into South East Asia and about whom the facts are only now becoming known?