Karoo Biking - Great African GS Challenge Tour 2007 Detailed Itinerary

Are you up for a Great African GS Challenge 2007?

BMW Motorrad South Africa launched its Great African GS Challenge in 2004, much to the delight of BMW motorcycle aficionados the continent over. It's not about speed - it's all about skill. The GS in the BMW motorcycle name is a German acronym for Gelaende Strasse which translates roughly to on-off road. The competition was designed to find the rider that is best able to control his GS regardless of the terrain and where better to do that than in South Africa? Participants therefore have to complete a series of challenging tests in both on and off road conditions to score points. The talented rider that comes in with the most points is awarded this prestigious title.

The centre of South Africa has been chosen as this year's site for the four-day Great African GS Challenge which runs between 21-24 September. Mornings and early afternoons will be spent riding mostly off-road, on gravel roads in various conditions. These have been graded very much like a ski resort would grade slopes with blue (easy), green (intermediate) and red (hold onto your hats) routes. Afternoons can be spent pitting you skills against the various challenges that have been planned.

Karoo Biking has designed a special 12 day tour package in celebration of the fact that BMW has chosen the centre of South Africa as its site for the Great African GS Challenge in 2006. Make the most of your stay - take a tour, practice your skills and then enter the Challenge!

Approximately 70% of this tour is on dirt roads, some basic off-road riding skills are required. Therefore, off-road enthusiasts with a little more experience riding in these conditions will most enjoy this tour.

Price ZAR31,000
incl, 7x nights at hotels, meals, BMW F650 GS/2, 4x nights tented accommodation, luggage transport

day 1/12	Welcome to South Africa. ca. 20 miles We'll be waiting to meet you at the airport on your arrival where we'll take you directly to your superior hotel to freshen up after your journey. We'll be back to collect you early afternoon when you'll have the chance to stretch your legs with a leisurely city tour which will afford you the opportunity to get to know Cape Town a little better. We'll dine in style in the evening at one of the many vibey restaurants for which the city is famous.
day 2/12	Today the fun starts... ca. 170 miles We'll collect your bike after breakfast and then head-off for the day. After a short detour over the breath-taking Chapman's Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hopeand, we ride around False Bay until we reach Kleinmond. We'll make our way to Worcester via Viliersdorp and turn East towards Montagu. We'll be spending the night here in a building that's been standing since the 1800's and will retire after a South African dinner at one of the local restaurants.
day 3/12	In the Klein Karoo ca. 300 miles We are leaving after breakfast, heading straight for the first gravel roads. Riding parallel to the famous R 62, we pass Barrydale and Ladismith in the distance. Just before Oudtshoorn we'll be re- joining the R 62 passing De Rust and Meiringspoort, the gateway into the Karoo. Another 90km of gravel, before we reach Willowmore, where we turn into a road, which is a single lane concrete strip. This exotic road ends in Steytlerville, where we'll also be spending the evening. This village lies in the South of the Great Karoo, which is a semi-desert area streching all the way from Cape Town to the border of Namibia. Dinner will be taken at our guesthouse as we kick back and relax.
day 4/12	Steytlerville - Graaf-Reinet - Colesberg ca. 250 miles We'll need to leave on time today to get the most from the day. Leaving Steytlerville behind us, we'll travel via Jansenville and Graaf-Reinet into the little hamlet of Nieu-Bethesda. There is a possibility to pay a visit to the Owl-House in Nieu-Bethesda. Helen Martins, an artist, used to live and work here, she is very famous in South Africa. In the afternoon we continue via Middleburg to Colesberg and spend the night at a guesthouse, the dinner will be taken here as well.
day 5/12	and on to the GAGSC venue ca. 260 miles After breakfast we'll begin our last leg of the journey before reaching the site chosen for the Great African GS Challenge, a farm close the city of Ficksburg. Our journey will take us through spectacular landscapes as well as villages such as Smithfield and Wepener to the venue of the GAGSC 2006. We'll use the afternoon to build our tents and to checkout the competition!
day 6/12	The GAGSC begins mileage depends on route selections The exact itinerary will be comunicated by BMW of South Africa at the event.
day 7/12	GAGSC - Day 2 mileage depends on route selections The exact itinerary will be comunicated by BMW of South Africa at the event.
day 8/12	GAGSC - Day 3 mileage depends on route selections The exact itinerary will be comunicated by BMW of South Africa at the event.
day 9/12	Ficksburg - Colesberg ca. 250 miles The third GAGSC has come to a close and the winner, selected. We begin our return journey after a breakfast with all participants. Our destination for the evening is Colesberg, the return trip will take a different route. We'll arrive late afternoon where we are all certain to really appreciate our beds after the camping experience. Dinner is certain to impress as well and will be taken at the superior guesthouse.
day 10/12	Colesberg - Victoria-West - Fraserburg - Sutherland ca. 325 miles After plenty of dirt road riding, you now have the choice, you can either take the a paved road to Sutherland or continue via more dirt roads. It is entirely up to you. We'll be spending the night in a beautiful guesthouse in Sutherland.
day 11/12	Back to Cape Town ca. 240 miles We'll leave the Karoo altogether today, spending some time of the day making our way back to Cape Town. We'll return the bikes on arrival in Cape Town when we'll transport you back to your hotel to prepare for the grand finale - a dinner that you won't soon forget!
day 12/12	Cape Town depature ca. 0 miles Most of your flights will depart late afternoon. This still leaves you with enough time to squeeze in a trip up Table Mountain or a to the Waterfront for a spot of souvenir shopping. Just ask for further tips and we'll be glad to assist.

ZAR31,000 inc. 7x accommodation at 3 and 4 star hotels/guesthouses/lodges, 4x accommodation at GS Challenge camp in tents
BMW F 650GS/2, motorcycle tour guide
entrance fees and luggage transport*
meals: 11x breakfast, 11x dinner

*minimum 6 participants required to offer this service

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