All the train tour info...

21 - 27 September

Book early to secure your place on what promises to be a fantastic tour.

Information available here:

http://www.bmwclubs.co.za/events/docs/Motorbike%20train%20tour%2021%20-%2027%20Sept%202008.doc

If you are interested in joining us on this tour please let me know so that I can send you the booking form.

Dave - would like to know who is on the list. LeRoy

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Dave - would like to know who is on the list. LeRoy

You and Elsabe
Me and Dorothy
Deon Prommel
Francois & Ina du Toit
Sue & Abe Coetzee
Bennie & Tessa Pearson

9 bikes, 11 people.

Still waiting for another two to confirm.

Dave - maybe we should organize a get together roughly 2 weeks before the actual tour. Would also suggest that we ride through as a group as i dont have a clue where the pick up point is at the JHB station. LeRoy

Will arrange closer to the time.

Actually 10 bikes - Sue will be riding her own bike. LeRoy

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Actually 10 bikes - Sue will be riding her own bike. LeRoy

I know - that's why 9 bikes and not 8.

Point taken. Just bit more than a month to go. Hope the LT fits in the train. LeRoy

I am really sorry that I cannot make this trip. It sounds as if it is going to be a trip to remember. You must enjoy..Andre

Well, paid mine and Dorothy's outstanding balance yesterday, so we are confirmed!!

Who else is definitively in??

...45 days and counting - can't believe this 'planning' started last year!!

Paid deposit on 27 November 2007 - and it is now just around the corner!!

List of passes we will be riding during the 4 days of riding - some of the passes are done twice - and as we all know - the road down is different to the road up....

Day 2 - Monday
Hexriver pass
Theronsberg pass
Gydo pass
Doornkraal pass
Michells pass
Bainskloof pass

Days total distance – 281km

Day 3 – Tuesday
Constantia Nek
Boyes Drive
Kommetjie pass
Chapmans Peak Drive

Days total distance – 179km

Day 4 – Wednesday
Helshoogte pass
Franschhoek pass
Elandskloof pass
Rooihoogte at Stettyn
Du Toits Kloof pass

Days total distance – 298km

Day 5 – Thursday
Houwhoek pass
Akkedisberg pass

Days total distance – 290km

Trip riding distance – 1 057km

I am still not convinced about the day 5 distance. Put it closer to 400km if we are going to Napier which is on the itinery for that day - guess we will have to wait and see.

We are also definitely in (LeRoy & Elsabe) - will be paying the remainder of the outstanding amount over the weekend. Have family in Napier - can possibly pop in there whitls we are there. After the ride we will be able to add all of the above to Sharkie's post on mountain passes.

Hey thanks guys !!!

Just take down the names and co-ordinates of the passes. I saw that there are a few passes listed here that does not appear on my pass-list.

I am also not sure what qualifies as a "pass", I mean Boyes Drive and Constantia Nek are both very nice scenic roads, so is Chappies. Not sure if they are "passes". I guess it is up to interpretation, if you think it is a "pass" and worth the "pass-status" so be it !!!

Sharkie wrote:Hey thanks guys !!!

Just take down the names and co-ordinates of the passes. I saw that there are a few passes listed here that does not appear on my pass-list.

I am also not sure what qualifies as a "pass", I mean Boyes Drive and Constantia Nek are both very nice scenic roads, so is Chappies. Not sure if they are "passes". I guess it is up to interpretation, if you think it is a "pass" and worth the "pass-status" so be it !!!

Not sure that JB Tours includes them as passes either - just included them because they are nice scenic rides with good sweeping bends.

I am Absolutely Geen with envy, ,would love to have had an RT and done this trip.....

Sigh..... One day when im big...

....but you don't need an RT for this trip - day distances are short.

The F800St will be perfect for these passes, short day distances. Personally speaking Chapmans is regarded as a mountain pass - with regards to the other 2 mentioned - would agree with Sharkie - they would not go through as mountain passes.

Thanks LeRoy,

I have added only Chapmans to the passes-list.

This will be a wonderfull trip !!! It would have been nice to join, but I've got the GS Challenge !!!

Decisions decisions - one must decide what to do or not. What is important or not.

Yes, I must say I am also a little green , RT and all I can't do it this time because of other plans. Hopefully there will be other opportunities to explore all the beautiful passes in the Western Cape.

Hi LeRoy

The LT will fit into the luggage car but it is tight in manouvering the bike into position to tie it down. The bike is almost as wide as the carriage car! Make sure that you have at least 3 off 3,0 metre long tie downs with you to secure the bike. Also ensure that there is a decent ramp organised at both Jo'burg and Cape Town to load / unload the bikes. I had to do mine with a 150mm wide short plank in Pta when we got off - not an easy task.

We arranged our own trip to the Cape in early 2006 with our primary objective to ride as many mountain passes as possible. In the end we managed to link 24 together, not counting any one pass ridden twice. We boarded the Shosholza Meyl train in Cape Town for Pta. A brilliant trip!

We are currently planning another similar trip for the end of October and given a bit more holiday time we will be riding 36 recognised mountain passes on this trip as well a visiting several lighthouses along the way.

To all those going enjoy the ride.

Cheers

2UP4ADV wrote:
We arranged our own trip to the Cape in early 2006 with our primary objective to ride as many mountain passes as possible.

2UP4ADV wrote:
we will be riding 36 recognised mountain passes on this trip

Hi there 2UP4ADV,

Please have a look at the Topic regarding the mountain passes in SA:
http://bmwclubs.heavenforum.org/mountain-passes-of-south-africa-f73/can-you-add-to-the-list-of-passes-in-sa-t220.htm

and if you know of passes that does not appear on the list, please let me know.

Thanks !!!!

Hi Sharkie

Will do by giving you a list of the passes we did in 2006 and the ones we intend to do in October. Will post them tomorrow.

Cheers

2UP4ADV - thanks for the tip iro the loading of the LT - was somewhat worried about it. Will take it up with the organisers - hopefully they are better geared for this as their trip is bike train trip - so they might be more in line with what is needed - but will follow up with them. Did you park the LT on its middle or side stand. Regards.