Clarens/Fouriesburg 5 December - 7 December 2008

We have to be back on Sunday, (leaving on a 3 week camping trip early Tuesday) but will join you till the Sunday - me thinks.

LeRoy, I would like to join as well. Not sure about taking the Monday off too. Will have to check it out and come back to you. A tour of the dam will be lovely. I did the tour of the Gariep Dam wall and it was fascinating...Andre

Myself and Dorothy will only be joining until the Sunday.

Have already booked accommodation at Fouriesburg.

Yes - i know - so have we - but am looking at changing it. Otherwise if to many people cannot change their initial weekend planning we will have to keep the weekend as it is. The aforementioned posting was to test the water, and see what is acceptable for all. For now the initial planning still stands. Andre - i have added your name to the list. LeRoy

I suggest that you discuss this at the next club meeting. By looks of how many people are interested and taking into account of the busyness of that time of the year I think it is worthwhile to discuss this well in advance.

Remember that this is 2 weeks before the peak holiday season and a lot of people will want to go away with the families. Two options may need to be considered here.

Hi all, went to Clarens at the weekend and found an amazing weather station there....

Perske - have already requested that this item be placed on the list for discussion, together with the Millies/Machadodorp Ride, as well as the Insurance Issue discussed in another topic. Regards. LeRoy

I will fall in with the majority decision as soon as I know the final arrangements...Andre

Please remember that changing arrangements already made and upsetting people where provisional arrangements have been made does not portray a good image for the Club and could jeopardise arrangements for future plans at venues.

Just my 2c worth.

Noted - will take everything into consideration - if Fouriesburg Country Inn cannot accept/accommodate the change - we will keep it as is and maybe leave and hour earlier - 08:00 in stead of the currently planned 09:00. Will then give us an hour more on the road. LeRoy

It is probably the best to stick to the original plan as long as we are sure we can make it back through the border post in time. You don't want to be stuck there...Andre

The border post is open 24/7 - so we will not be stuck. And as for the possible riding in the dark - believe the Beemers all have sufficient headlights to see where we are going. Regards.

In that case I am fine. I thought they close the border at night...Andre

Personally speaking - will see what the reaction is when the ride detail have been posted. For now the initial planning stays.

Ag you cant have your bread both sides buttered.
We have to sit this one out - family's holiday plans have changed and now overlap with Sunday 7th

Noted - it is a pity - would have been nice having you and Marius on the trip. I have made a note against your name in the name list on page 2 of the this thread. Regards.

When planning this trip the time required to get to the dam and back must not be under estimated.

Travelling after dark should be avoided.

So how much time is required:

Fouriesburg - Ficksburg .....................0.5hr
Border.............................................0.5-0.75 hr
Refuel at Leribe for the group...............0.5hr
Travelling time to the Dam from Leribe....3 hrs.

That gives a round trip of about 9.5 hours before considering time for lunch (and don't be too fussy about what is on offer)...say 1 hour. (I do not believe that a dam wall tour would be viable unless an extremely early start is on the cards).

That gives a total trip of 10-11 hours. Departure has to be as early as possible - 9am is not good
On the ride back you will be riding directly into the late afternoon sun.
Villages have to be "crawled" through and remember to wave at all the kids - even the ones who indicate that they may want to through a stone.
Typical speed for the trip up and over the mountain is about 50kph or less. Your brakes should be checked before leaving.

Remember your bank permission letter to take your bike across the border, your passport and warm clothing.

Staying a the Bella Rosa Guest house in Ficksburg may buy some extra time.

Renier - thank you these are some very valid points. The issue iro the bank permission letter - dont think i have ever been asked to produce this even going into Swaziland - nevertheless - point taken and will finally before we leave put it on the checklist.

With regards to the departure time - the planning is for 8:00 - can perhaps make it 07:30 to give us more time in this regard.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Renier - thank you these are some very valid points. The issue iro the bank permission letter - dont think i have ever been asked to produce this even going into Swaziland - nevertheless - point taken and will finally before we leave put it on the checklist.

With regards to the departure time - the planning is for 8:00 - can perhaps make it 07:30 to give us more time in this regard.

Leroy
Once people have confirmed numbers for the trip to Fouriesburg (closer to end November) you can then asecertain who will go with to the dam. I have often found on the stayovers of more than one night that some people prefer to 'do their own thing' on the second day.

Need to bear this in mind - the Lesotho group will probably be smaller than the main group.

Leroy, I think a good starting time will need to be about 06:30. Remember it is light at 05:00. If you leave at 08:00 you are going to run out of time and will have to cut your stay at the dam short.

I agree with Renier. This is the one time the late sleepers will have to sacrifice a bit. A 10 - 11 hour trip starting at 6:30 only brings us back by about 17:30. I would rather go this early and be back for a nice dinner or a braai

Renier wrote:Leroy, I think a good starting time will need to be about 06:30. Remember it is light at 05:00. If you leave at 08:00 you are going to run out of time and will have to cut your stay at the dam short.

Looks like a 5:30 departure then

What hours is the Border post open - 24hrs?
If you catch it at opening time, expect a delay clearing the backlog overnight...

Richard H wrote:What hours is the Border post open - 24hrs?
If you catch it at opening time, expect a delay clearing the backlog overnight...

It was mentioned earlier in this thread (I think) that it is open 24 hours, but I think we need to verify that.

Reniers earlier posting confirmed this. So then we make is a very early ride -will organise with the Country Inn that we will be doing breakfast very early. Thanks for all the inputs.