Dunkeld Country Estate

Deon will no longer be leading this ride as his Father recently suffered a severe hart attack. So we will be leading this ride. I have plotted the route and will shortly send it to Dani, to post it on the forum. Roughly 305km there, 250km back. Breakfast is a buffet and is served untill 11:00.

Will tomorrow finalise the breakfast issues with the resort management and probably do a recce there during the course of the next long weekends. Given the distance there - we will probably still have to leave quite early. Will confirm all details later on.

Management at the venue wants more exact figures as to the number of people who will be on the ride and having breakfast at the venue. The request is thus - can you please - beforehand - confirm to a certain if you are going to join the ride and the breakfast.

I have for now confirmed 20 people for breakfast. Providing them with more exact figures beforehand will ensure that we again have a very nice breakfast lined up.

Breakfast is also only served till 11:00. ETA should thus not be much later than 10:15.

Should nothing unforeseen happen I’m in for the ride AND breakfast.

Given the distance (and the time) the group should be there, doesn’t it make sense to take the shortest/quickest route there and the longer (probably more scenic?) route back.......just asking.

JCM wrote:Should nothing unforeseen happen I’m in for the ride AND breakfast.

Given the distance (and the time) the group should be there, doesn’t it make sense to take the shortest/quickest route there and the longer (probably more scenic?) route back.......just asking.

As I said under the GS thread, I think this is a good idea. Get breakfast as early as possible - as it should be! - and then have fun, finishing the lekker part of the route close to home.

You have a point - have already started replanning it. I think the principle stems from the summer - where we try and get the long ride in before it becomes warm and then the shortest route home.

The shortest route is on the Highway - 188Km - but then one might as well go by car - just as boring. Will redo the routes over the weekend and send to Dani for posting.

Will be nice to join all together for the fresh ride in the morning, yet finish the day with our own different fun as well.

I have looked at the different routes - the second shortes is mostly along or close to the N4 - cuts off only 30 Kms than the Stoffberg route planned. So - noble idee - but not possible. The shortest route is along the N4, Belfast, Dullstroom.

Below a few Pics to wet the appetite
Out on the resort

Below - Some of the trout dams

Below - more of the trout dams

Below - out on the resort

Below the main reception area

Below - main reception area - Will be having breakfast/Brunch just to the left

Below - scenic dam

Horses and wild animals between the chalets


Hope this was enough of an apetiser to get all out on a nice winter run. Hopefully it will be dry winter run - might be a bit coolish. So dress warmly as we will have to leave at 7:00 to be there on time.

Help needed......I think:

Dullstroom.......how do I read ***.gdb files on my laptop?

My car's NUVI 610 is a 2007 model and I don't seem to have the necessary software anywhere to read the proposed route to Dullstroom and back. Do I buy the software somewhere or do I get it on the internet?

Or is there just something very simple I have to do?

JCM wrote:Help needed......I think:

Dullstroom.......how do I read ***.gdb files on my laptop?

My car's NUVI 610 is a 2007 model and I don't seem to have the necessary software anywhere to read the proposed route to Dullstroom and back. Do I buy the software somewhere or do I get it on the internet?

Or is there just something very simple I have to do?

You need Mapsource that normally comes with your package of maps and GPS. You probably have an old version on a CD somewhere and I guess your maps were pre-loaded, which is why you never needed it before.

You can download Mapsource (63MB) from here for free: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209

The problem is that you need to load the maps separately from the Africa Garmap DVD and then pay to unlock - that is if you don't have the 2007 maps on a disk. What you can do is install Mapsource without maps, open the gdb file, save as gpx (the generic format that you can use everywhere) and open with Google Earth and switch between satellite and map view.

The 2009 DVD costs R10 only (just the media, not the unlocking) and includes Mapsource. You can get it from your Cape Union Mart/Due South shop or contact Pauli (GPS4Africa 08 two 88 oh 117) in Pierre van Reyneveld.

Tx a million.......bought my NUVI 610 in Jan 2008 from Makro. SA maps (2007)preloaded on separate memory card and only the Garmin Manual on the CD.....nothing else.

You can also use Mapsource without the maps to load the gdb file on your 610 and then check it out there...

Tx, will try that.
Will go to Cape UM tomorrow or contact Pauli on Monday.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Management at the venue wants more exact figures as to the number of people who will be on the ride and having breakfast at the venue. The request is thus - can you please - beforehand - confirm to a certain if you are going to join the ride and the breakfast.

I have for now confirmed 20 people for breakfast. Providing them with more exact figures beforehand will ensure that we again have a very nice breakfast lined up.

Breakfast is also only served till 11:00. ETA should thus not be much later than 10:15.

Hi LeRoy

Count me in for breakfast - I'll go the GS route.

rgds

Mario

Thinking of changing it to a "Mothers Day Brunch" will make the time and ETA a bit easier - will see what we can organise with management this friday.

The breakfast run to Dunkeld has been changed to a special Mothersday Brunch by management at Dunkeld, starting at 12:00 - makes life easier for all, especially for the stof-donkies, with the cut-off time at 14:00.

Dunkeld is doing this especially for the group - please make sure that all going on the trip does the brunch at the venue as we need at least 40 to make it worth their while and to ensure that we can again use this venue in the future.

Below the preliminary menu - it might change a bit.








I will be getting more exact figures at the Friday Noggin for both the Roadies and the Stof-Donkies. With regards to the route - i have worked on it again - if you are using a GPS and have downloaded the files - please make sure that you have the correct files before sunday morning.

Please note:
Departure time for the Roadies/All Tar Group/S's on Sunday is 7:30 for 8:00.

I would like to join you on this trip. I just need to confirm with the family. I am only in Gauteng for the weekend and they may object if I go on a trip instead of staying with them.

I would be able to confirm on Friday night.

Decisions/Decisions - have them join us as part of the group at Dunkeld. Might give them an insight as to the BMW Biking fraternity.

You do nt whant to meet the others. I am bad but I am still the best.

ChristoEngelbrecht wrote:You do nt whant to meet the others. I am bad but I am still the best.

Waar trek jy, hoop jy ry veilig?

Vanoggend 02:00 hier aangekom. 14 uur op die pad. Begin met mis, daarna donderweer. Gelukkig net agter die donderweer gery. Van Colesberg af op die nat pad. Reen het my vanaf Kroonstad aan en af gepla.

NEE MAN! Het jy regtig in die nag gery? Maar bly jy's veilig, ontmoet more.

Wow Iron butt riders have nothing on you. Amazing.

Only now saw you are from Gordonsbay. Presume you took the fastest route - glad you made it safely. When will you be going back.

Can then understand if you dont make Sunday's ride - albeit that you will see a route and area you might not see again soon.

Outbound Route



I have plotted 2 possible alternatives for the route back - other than the most direct route on the N4

Route 2A



Route 2B


The routes have by now been posted on the Forum. This is just for those not using a GPS. See you tomorrow evening at the Noggin and Sunday at the gathering place.