2011 CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE & BOLAND
MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOUR

From Johannesburg

JB Train Tours invites you to join us on the Motorbike-on-Train Tours to be hosted during 2011 from Johannesburg to Cape Town and return, travelling on the Trans Karoo Tourist Class Train.

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 25 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 days, plus you can add another two mountain passes on the last day on an optional trip.

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?

  1. To cut out the longs straight and boring roads of the Karoo
  2. To do something different
  3. ‘Cause the bike can travel along on the train
  4. To start fresh when arriving in the Western Cape
  5. To have fun the moment you depart from Johannesburg
  6. To rest and relax on the way back
  7. To enjoy the scenery from a different angle
  8. ‘Cause it is safe & secure
  9. ‘Cause travelling by train is ‘lekker’
  10. To discover new routes, places and people

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!)
Note #2:  Just calculate how much you save on wear and tear if NOT riding all the way to the Cape on your bike.

Name of tour  2011 Cape Town Motorbike-on-Train Tour – departing from JHB

Tour dates & Number Five (5) Tours to choose from during 2011

(7 days) Sunday to Saturday

13 – 19 Feb MB 1
6 – 12 Mar MB 2
10 – 16 Apr MB 3
18 – 24 Sept MB 4
9 – 15 Oct MB 5

Departure times

Johannesburg 12:30 Platform 16 Day 1
Cape Town 10:00 Platform 24 Day 6

Arrival times

Worcester 01:50 Platform 1 Day 2
Johannesburg 12:15 Platform 16 Day 7

Tour price Compartment on Train: 4-Bed        2 Beds/Room in Hotel

Price per Biker Persons per
4-Bed Comp’ment		 Persons per
Hotel Room
R6910 4 2
R7690 3 2 & 1
R7910 2 2
     
Price per Biker Persons per
2-Bed Coupe 		Persons per
Hotel Room
R7210 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, 2 nights’ accommodation and bedding on the train, 4 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

Dinner & breakfast are included on the return train trip from JHB 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 Karoo Tourist Class Train from Johannesburg to Cape Town via Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Kimberley, De Aar, Beaufort West and Worcester. You may join en route. (Sorry, the train does NOT depart from Pretoria anymore).

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 Johannesburg Park station by latest 08:00 on the day of departure. Entry to the Platform is off Harrison Street. (GPS: S 26°11’834”  E 28°02’370”). 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:  R145pp Robben Island: R180pp
Castle of Good Hope R30pp 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

Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg
Train Station Arrival Departure Train Station Arrival Departure
Johannesburg   12:30 day 1 Cape Town   10:00 day 6
Krugersdorp 13:09 day 1 13:14 day 1 Bellville 10:25 day 6 10:35 day 6
Potchefstroom 15:16 day 1 15:29 day 1 Hugenot 11:15 day 6 11:19 day 6
Klerksdorp 16:09 day 1 16:25 day 1 Wellington 11:30 day 6 11:36 day 6
Christiana 19:11 day 1 19:16 day 1 Worcester 13:10 day 6 13:30 day 6
Warrenton 19:49 day 1 19:55 day 1 Matjiesfontein 15:31 day 6 15:36 day 6
Kimberley 20:54 day 1 21:10 day 1 Laingsburg 16:00 day 6 16:10 day 6
De Aar 01:18 day 2 01:35 day 2 Beaufort west 19:25 day 6 19:50 day 6
Hutchinson 03:30 day 2 03:35 day 2 Hutchinson 21:34 day 6 21:39 day 6
Beaufort West 09:05 day 2 09:15 day 2 De Aar 23:25 day 6 23:45 day 6
Laingsburg 06:27 day 2 06:47 day 2 Kimberley 03:32 day 7 03:46 day 7
Matjiesfontein 09:38 day 2 09:43 day 2 Warrenton 04:43 day 7 04:48 day 7
Worcester 11:50 day 2 12:05 day 2 Christiana 05:16 day 7 05:21 day 7
Wellington 13:50 day 2 13:54 day 2 Klerksdorp 08:14 day 7 08:26 day 7
Hugenot 14:05 day 2 14:09 day 2 Potchefstroom 09:08 day 7 09:13 day 7
Bellville 14:50 day 2 15:00 day 2 Krugersdorp 11:20 day 7 11:25 day 7
Cape Town 15:30 day 2   Johannesburg 12:16 day 7  

Running times are NOT guaranteed

 

Provisional PROGRAMME

2011 CAPE TOWN MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOUR - from JHB

Day 1 Sunday
   
From 08:00 Passengers with bikes meet at Johannesburg station – Platform 14
12:30 Train departs Johannesburg – Platform 16
Dinner served on the train (included in the tour price)
First briefing session
Travel overnight
   
Day 2 Monday
   
07:00 Breakfast served on the train (included in the tour price)
11:50 Disembarking at Worcester
Day #1 of Motorbike Tour* (see bike itinerary below)
15:30 Train arrives in Cape Town – luggage taken to hotel by hotel staff
Motorbikes arrive in Cape Town – later in the day
Book in at Hotel
Evening at leisure – own program
Sleep in Hotel
   
Day 3 - 5 Tuesday - Thursday
   
  Breakfast served at the Hotel (included in the tour price)
All other meals available (own cost)
Days #2 - #4 of Motorbike Tour*
Sleep in Hotel
   
Day 6 Friday
   
  Breakfast served at the Hotel (included in the tour price)
Book out of the Hotel
Day at leisure. Optional bike rides – own destinations. I.e.: Shopping, swimming, Table Mountain, etc.
08:00 Loading of bikes on train – Cape Town station, Platform 24
10:00 Train departs from Cape Town - Platform 24
Dinner served on the train (included in the tour price)
Travel overnight
   
Day 7 Saturday
   
  Breakfast served on the train (included in the tour price)
12:15 Arrival at Johannesburg station – Platform 16
Off loading of bikes
Go home & rest!

Provisional PROGRAMME

The daily programme can change

2011 CAPE TOWN MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOUR - from JHB

Day 2              Monday

Disembark train at Worcester

Route:             Worcester – Hexriver Pass – ‘Theronsberg’ Pass – Ceres – Gydo Pass – Doornkraal Pass – ‘Agter Witzenberg Vallei’ – Doornkraal Pass – Gydo Pass – Ceres – Michells Pass – Slanghoek Valley – du Toitskloof Pass – Paarl – Cape Town

Today’s distance = 281 km

Day 3              Tuesday

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 - Cape Town

Today’s distance = 179 km

Day 4              Wednesday

Route:             Cape Town – Stellenbosch – Helshoogte Pass – Franschhoek – Franschhoek Pass – Theewaterskloof Dam – Villiersdorp – Elandskloof Pass – Elandsrivier Valley - Elandskloof Pass – ‘Rooihoogte’ at Stettyn – Worcester – Bainskloof Pass – Wellington – Cape Town

Today’s distance = 298 km

Day 5              Thursday

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

Total distance = 1057 km

Day 6              Friday

Route:             Optional own-choice route or shopping or sight seeing or leisure

RESERVATION FORM

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAIN