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From Durban
(New tour)
This tour is ideal for those who hardly ever use their bikes during the year; for the experienced biker, as well as for those who would like to explore new destinations in a well structured, organised and safe manner. This is the time and opportunity to do it and to enjoy the Western Cape and Boland at its best.
29 Mountain passes; +-1100 km; 4 days; tour guide; fun & laughter
If you are a “big biker” and you’ve done all the roads and routes in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KZN, Free State and the Lowveld, and you would like to ride curving mountain passes, 1000’s of sweeping corners and coastal road routes – all on tarred roads - please read on.
The first of these tours was hosted in 2007 and it has since grown in popularity amongst the biking fraternity. Many women, non-club bikers, bikers from various countries abroad and families have travelled with us. More than 26 Motorbike-on-Train tours have been hosted to various destinations since 2007.
Visit places and travel roads that you’ve never seen before (or heard off); experience the scenic mountain passes with curves and corners galore; traverse the coastal roads; dine at quaint restaurants en route; accelerate in remote stretches and enjoy the 'fynbos' and out door life in the Western Cape & Boland.
Yes, the heading above is correct. We’ll traverse at least 29 mountain passes (not repeating one pass at any stage in the same direction), travel more than 1100km over the 4 day.
JB Train Tours invites you to join us on a holiday motorbike-on-train tour in 2011 to Cape Town, the Western Cape & Boland. This is a safe and secure tour for individuals, families and/or groups. (Please note this is a holiday TOUR, NOT a booze cruise, race or rally, neither a dull affair). It is a tour with stoppages en route to be able to enjoy the beauty & natural scenery the Cape has to offer.
We have scheduled five tours during the year, but NOT during the Western Cape’s rainy season!
This tour is a combination of: Travelling by train (with your bike on the train with you); enjoying Cape Town, the scenic Peninsula, the beautiful Western Cape & the splendid Boland; sleeping in a top class hotel with a swimming pool and other facilities; enjoying the beach and sea, visiting the most popular tourist destinations and just relax. (All this at a very affordable rate). We have a few pleasant surprises included in the itinerary as well. There is ample time available for leisure or extra bike trips.
When travelling by train we make use of the upgraded Trans Karoo Tourist Class train.
The main purpose of this tour is to give bikers the opportunity to ride their bikes in another and interesting environment - with curves almost unlimited. It is not a race, though there will be a number of opportunities to use your horsepower to the full at certain spots. The different daily routes will take you past some breathtaking scenery.
The tours are scheduled to take place in summer time – hence rain should not be a problem (as the Western Cape is a winter rainfall area), but rather bring your foul weather gear with!
All the routes are on good tarred roads. A back-up vehicle will be on standby in case of emergency or breakdowns. If utilised, the expenses are for the biker’s pocket. Please make sure your bike is 100% roadworthy and in a good condition.
The group is limited to a maximum of 20 motorbikes per tour - plus a pillion per bike (is very welcome). I.e.: Max. 40 passengers per tour. It is not compulsary for the driver or pillion to ride every day. It could be exchanged for shopping and alternative sightseeing! This whole tour is a holiday.
Are you tired of phoning, looking for accommodation and worrying about the logistics? We’ll take you there. Go and live this unique tour!
Why travel by train?
Who may come along? Any person who is interested in visiting Cape Town and surroundings, can ride a big bike (500cc+), have a relevant & legal driver’s licence and would like to travel in a group. By the way, you must bring your own bike! If you don’t have a bike, a rental one can be arranged. All genders welcome. It is NOT a pre-requisite that you have to belong to any club or bike association.
Note #1: Do it together. Take your pillion along. (Sorry, no Sheila’s provided!)Name of tour 2011 Western Cape Motorbike Train Tour - from DBN
Tour dates & Number Two (2) Tour dates to choose from during 2011
(8 days) Wednesday to Wednesday
25 Feb - 4 Mar MB 13 7 - 14 Sept MB 14
Departure times
Durban Day 1 18:30 Platform 14 Cape Town Day 6 18:50 Platform 24
Arrival times
Cape Town Day 3 08:10 Platform 24 Durban Day 8 08:45 Platform 14
Tour price Compartment on Train: 4-Bed 2 Beds/Room in Hotel
Price per Biker Persons per
4-Bed Comp’mentPersons per
Hotel RoomR6910 4 2 R7690 3 2 & 1 R7910 2 2 Price per Biker Persons per
2-Bed CoupePersons per
Hotel RoomR7210 2 2 R8510 1 1
The Pillion pays R2000 per person less than the biker.
Children
Children pay the above prices. Sorry, no discount.
Deposit
A R1000 per person non-refundable deposit will secure your place. The balance must be paid by latest six weeks before departure date. If NOT paid, your place will be cancelled automatically. Book NOW.
Note
Passengers may pay a monthly instalment and then pay the last payment six weeks before departure date.
Included in price
Return transport by train to Cape Town, 4 nights’ accommodation and bedding on the train, 3 nights’ B&B accommodation in a top notch hotel in Cape Town, transportation of motorbike on the train, safe covered parking for bikes at the hotel, entry fee to Cape Point Nature Reserve, tour guide, as well as certain meals as per the itinerary.
Daily route briefings will be done as well.
Excluded from the tour price
Entry fees at tourist destinations. I.e.: Table Mountain & Robben Island, expenses of a personal nature, fuel, toll gate fees, breakdowns or bike recovering costs & Comprehensive Travel Insurance. Anything else not mentioned in the Information Document.
Meals
Two dinner & breakfast are included on the return train trip from DBN to CPT, as well as breakfast in the hotel. All other (tasty) meals are available at very reasonable prices on the train, in Cape Town and the Western Cape where we will be riding.
Bar facilities
Available on the train.
Train Route
You will travel on the Trans Orange Tourist Class Train from Durban to Cape Town via Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Bethlehem, Kroonstad, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, De Aar, Beaufort West and Worcester. You may join en route. (Price remains the same).
Accommodation on the train
Passengers will be accommodated in a 4-bed compartment or 2-bed coupe on the train.
Accommodation in CPT
Passengers will be accommodated on a B&B basis for four nights in the upmarket Fountains Hotel (http://www.leisurehotels.co.za)
The rooms are spacious, with good facilities, (I.e.: Pool, terrace, restaurant, cocktail bar, TV in the room, gym, en-suite bathroom, etc.) and the hotel is well located in town.
Loading of the motorbikes
All the bikes must be brought to Platform 14 at the Durban station by latest 15:30 on the day of departure. Entry to the Station & Platform is off Masabalala Yengwa Ave (previously NMR Road) into Jelf Taylor Street, up the ramp, turn left at the top and right after 50 meters. Main entrance (glass doors) is in front of you. Go through the glass doors and turn left, pass the café on your right hand side and go to the second Goods Lift (with your bike) on your right and go down to Platform 14. GPS: S 29° 50.748’ E 31° 01.388’Owners to do loading and fastening of bikes. Please bring your own tie-downs. Four tie-downs are more than enough. You are welcome to bring your own blankets or cloth for your bike.
The motorbikes are transported in a "KP" carriage and will be hauled with the passenger train. This carriage is totally enclosed and the bikes won’t be exposed to wind and weather.
Insurance
Each bike owner is responsible for his/her own insurance on the bike.
Medical
Bring your medical fund card and medicines along.
Clothing
Casual clothing plus your normal personal biking gear.
Luggage
Just take what you need. Don’t take the whole wardrobe. On arrival in Cape Town the luggage will be transported by hotel staff to the hotel. You do not need to travel with it on your bike at any time. Please mark each piece of luggage or bag or suitcase clearly with your name on it.
Notes
This is a casual holiday train tour. It is ideal for individuals & biking families; for those who haven’t been on a train holiday or haven’t visited Cape Town & done the many mountain passes before.
Safety
We do NOT compromise on safety during the tour. We have a sound record on ALL our tours and intend to keep it that way.
BOOK NOW! Please complete the attached Reservation Form (one per biker) and fax it to us, along with your Bank Deposit slip. Closing date is when the limited number of places is sold out.
Groups, clubs, associations and mates are welcome.
Visit our Photo Gallery for pictures of recent Motorbike-on-Train tours.
Travel & Biker greetings
Johan Badenhorst &
The JB Train Tours Team
Note #1: We are hosting the following other Motorbike-on-Train tours as well:
JHB to Garden Route (Eastern & Southern Cape)
JHB to Namaqualand Flowers in September (dual purpose bikes only)
JHB to BMW Bike Fest in Oudtshoorn
JHB to Buffalo Rally in Mossel Bay
DBN to Western Cape & Boland
Notes: Current prices for excursions are as follows and are all excluded from the tour price:
| Table Mountain: | R130pp | Robben Island: | R185pp |
| Castle of Good Hope | R20pp | South African Museum | R20pp |
V&A Waterfront, Botanical Gardens, Parliament, Beach - free of charge
The prices may change without notice.
Running times of the train
Train time roster: Cape Town - Durban - Cape Town
Train Station |
Arrival |
Departure |
Durban |
|
18:30 day 1 |
Pietermaritzburg |
20:53 day 1 |
21:06 day 1 |
Ladysmith |
24:13 day 2 |
01:25 day 2 |
Bethlehem |
04:29 day 2 |
04:44 day 2 |
Kroonstad |
06:55 day 2 |
07:00 day 2 |
Bloemfontein |
10:05 day 2 |
10:25 day 2 |
Kimberley |
13:15 day 2 |
13:35 day 2 |
De Aar |
17:20 day 2 |
17:35 day 2 |
Hutchinson |
19:25 day 2 |
19:35 day 2 |
Beaufort West |
21:55 day 2 |
22:40 day 2 |
Laingsburg |
01:55 day 3 |
02:05 day 3 |
Worcester |
04:35 day 3 |
04:55 day 3 |
Wellington |
06:25 day 3 |
06:34 day 3 |
Huguenot |
06:55 day 3 |
07:00 day 3 |
Bellville |
07:30 day 3 |
07:45 day 3 |
Cape Town |
08:45 day 3 |
|
Train Station |
Arrival |
Departure |
Cape Town |
|
18:50 day 6 |
Bellville |
19:15 day 6 |
19:20 day 6 |
Huguenot |
20:01 day 6 |
20:05 day 6 |
Wellington |
20:25 day 6 |
20:30 day 6 |
Worcester |
21:55 day 6 |
22:10 day 6 |
Laingsburg |
00:35 day 7 |
00:41 day 7 |
Beaufort West |
04:20 day 7 |
04:30 day 7 |
Hutchinson |
06:45 day 7 |
06:55 day 7 |
De Aar |
09:05 day 7 |
09:20 day 7 |
Kimberley |
12:53 day 7 |
13:15 day 7 |
Bloemfontein |
15:52 day 7 |
16:25 day 7 |
Kroonstad |
18:57 day 7 |
19:20 day 7 |
Bethlehem |
21:43 day 7 |
21:58 day 7 |
Ladysmith |
02:18 day 8 |
02:33 day 8 |
Pietermaritzburg |
05:49 day 8 |
06:10 day 8 |
Durban |
08:10 day 8 |
|
Running times are NOT guaranteed
Provisional PROGRAMME
2011 CAPE TOWN MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOUR - from JHB
| Day 1 | Wednesday |
| From 15:30 | Passengers with bikes meet at Durban station - Platform 14 |
| 18:00 | Train departs Durban - Platform 14 Dinner served on the train (included in the tour price) Travel overnight |
| Day 2 | Thursday |
| Breakfast served on the train (included in the tour price) Day at leisure First briefing session Dinner served on the train (included in the tour price) Travel overnight |
|
| Day 3 | Friday |
| 08:10 | Disembarking at Cape Town Breakfast en route (own pocket) Day #1 of Motorbike Tour* (see bike itinerary below) Motorbikes arrive at Hotel Book in at Hotel Evening at leisure – own program Sleep in Hotel |
| Day 4 - 5 | Saturday - Sunday |
| Breakfast served at the Hotel (included in the tour price) All other meals available (own cost) Days #2 - #3 of Motorbike Tour* Sleep in Hotel |
|
| Day 6 | Monday |
| Breakfast served at the Hotel (included in the tour price) Book out of the Hotel (luggage remains at hotel) Day #4 of Motorbike Tour*. |
|
| 15:30 | Loading of bikes on train – Cape Town station, Platform 24 |
| 18:00 | Train departs from Cape Town - Platform 24 Dinner served on the train (included in the tour price) Travel overnight |
| Day 7 | Tuesday |
| Breakfast is served on the train (included in the tour price) Day at leisure Dinner served on the train (included in the tour price) Travel overnight |
|
| Day 8 | Wednesday |
| 08:45 | Arrival at Durban station – Platform 14 Off loading of bikes Go home & rest! |
Provisional PROGRAMME
The daily programme can change
2011 CAPE TOWN MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOURS from CPT onwards
Day 3 Friday
Disembark train at Cape Town
Route: CPT - Wellington - Bainskloof - Michells Pass - Ceres - Gydo Pass - Doornkraal Pass - ‘Agter Witzenberg Vallei’ - Doornkraal Pass - Gydo Pass - Ceres - Michells Pass - Slanghoek Valley - Du Toitskloof Pass - Cape Town
Today’s distance = 281 km
Day 4 Saturday
Route: Cape Town - Somerset West - Sir Lowry’s Pass - ‘Houwhoek’ Pass - Botrivier - Caledon - Napier - ‘Akkedisberg’ Pass - Stanford - Hermanus - Kleinmond - Rooi Els Coastal road - Gordon’s Bay - Strand - Cape Town
Today’s distance = 290 km
Day 5 Sunday
Route: Cape Town - Stellenbosch - Helshoogte Pass - Franschhoek - Franschhoek Pass - Theewaterskloof Dam - Villiersdorp - Elandskloof Pass - Elandsrivier Valley - Elandskloof Pass - ‘Rooihoogte’ at Stettyn - Worcester - Du Toitskloof Tunnel - Paarl - Cape Town
Today’s distance = 298 km
Day 6 Monday
Route: Cape Town - Twelve Apostles coastal road - Hout Bay - Constantia Neck - Boye’s Drive - Simon’s Town - Redhill - Just Nuisance Grave - Redhill - Cape Point Nature Reserve - Kommetjie Pass - Chapmans Peak - Suikerbossie - Twelve Apostles coastal road - Kloofnek - Cape Town
Today’s distance = 179 km
Total distance = 1048 km