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2011 GARDEN ROUTE & SOUTHERN CAPE
MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOUR
From Johannesburg to PE & George
JB Train Tours invites you to join us on the annual Motorbike-on-Train Tours to be hosted during 2011 from Johannesburg to Garden Route & Southern Cape and return, travelling on the Algoa & Trans Karoo Tourist Class Trains.
Note #2: Just calculate how much you save on wear and tear if NOT riding all the way to the Southern Cape on your bike.
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 Garden Route at its best.
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.
Outeniqua pass – George to Oudtshoorn
The Western Cape tour was launched in 2007 and the Garden Route tour in 2010 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 Klein Karoo; dine at interesting restaurants en route; accelerate in remote stretches and enjoy the ‘secrets’ of the Garden Route.
Yes, we’ll traverse again many mountain passes, travel more than 1500km over the 7 days, discover new places and enjoy the scenic back roads (all tarred).
JB Train Tours invites you to join us on a holiday motorbike-on-train tour in 2011 to the Garden Route & Southern Cape. 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 Garden Route can offer. Visit PE, Tsitsikama, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Natures Valley, Plet, Oudtshoorn, Meiringspoort Pass and much more. You WILL enjoy your bike even more than ever before.
We have scheduled only two tours during the year, but NOT during the Southern Cape’s rainy season!
This tour is a combination of: Travelling by train (with your bike on the train with you); enjoying the Garden Route, the scenic Outeniqua mountains, the beautiful Knysna Heads & the splendid Oudtshoorn; sleeping in top class hotels 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 Algoa & Trans Karoo Tourist class trains.
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. However, our cruising speed is within the legal limits.
The tours are scheduled to take place in autumn & summer time – hence rain should not be a problem (as the Southern 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 manageable number of motorbikes per tour - plus a pillion per bike (is very welcome). It is not compulsary for the driver or pillion to ride every day. It could be exchanged for shopping or 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. Come experience and live this unique tour!
Why travel by train?
- To cut out the longs straight and boring roads of the Karoo
- To do something different
- ‘Cause the bike can travel along on the train
- To start fresh when arriving in the Southern Cape
- To have fun the moment you depart from Johannesburg
- To rest and relax on the way back – in style
- To enjoy the scenery from a different angle
- ‘Cause it is safe & secure
- ‘Cause travelling by train is ‘lekker’
- To discover new routes, places and people
Who may come along? Any person who is interested in visiting PE, Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn and surroundings, can ride a big bike (500cc+)(road bike or dual purpose), 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 at additional costs. 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 Southern Cape on your bike.
Name of tour 2011 Garden Route Motorbike-on-Train Tour - departing from JHB
Tour dates & Number Two (2) Tours to choose from during 2011
(7 days) Friday to Thursday
1 - 7 May MB 6 13 – 19 Nov MB 7
Departure times
Johannesburg 13:15 Platform 14 Day 1 Beaufort West 19:50 Platform 1 Day 6
Arrival times
Port Elizabeth 09:15 Platform 4 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’mentPersons per
Hotel RoomR6910 4 2 R7660 3 2 & 1 R7710 2 2 Price per Biker Persons per
2-Bed CoupePersons per
Hotel RoomR7110 2 2 R8430 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
Transport by train from JHB to PE & from B’west to JHB, 2 nights’ accommodation and bedding on the train, 4 nights’ B&B accommodation in top notch hotels en route, transportation of motorbike on the train, safe parking for bikes at the hotels, tour guide, entry fees at certain tourist destinations, as well as certain meals as per the itinerary.
Daily route briefings will be done as well.
Excluded from the tour price
Bungi jumping, 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 train trips, as well as breakfast in the hotels. All other (tasty) meals are available at very reasonable prices on the train and where we will be riding.
Bar facilities
Available on the train.
Train Route
You will travel on the Algoa Tourist class train from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth via Vereeniging, Kroonstad, Bloemfontein & Colesberg. You may join en route. (Sorry, the train does NOT depart from Pretoria anymore). The return trip is from Beaufort west via De Aar, Kimberley, Klerksdorp & Potchefstroom to Johannesburg on the Trans Karoo Tourist class train.
Accommodation on the train
Passengers will be accommodated in a 4-bed compartment or 2-bed coupe on the train.
Accommodation in the Southern Cape
Passengers will be accommodated on a B&B basis for four nights at two different upmarket hotels and lodges.
 Knysna Lagoon - view from Lodge |
 8 Bells Country Lodge - in Robinson Pass |
Loading of the motorbikes
All the bikes must be brought to Platform 14 at Johannesburg Park station by latest 10:00 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. Use your panniers and don’t take anything extra!
Notes
This is a casual holiday train tour. It is ideal for individuals and biking families; for those who haven’t been on a train holiday or haven’t visited the Garden Route & 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 Western Cape & Boland
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
And soon to the Baviaanskloof and ‘The Hell’ for dual purpose bikes.
Train running times
Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth
| Town | Arrival | Departure |
| Johannesburg | 13:15 | |
| Vereeniging | 14:48 | 14:55 |
| Kroonstad | 17:12 | 17:22 |
| Bloemfontein | 20:10 | 20:30 |
| Noupoort | 02:15 | 02:35 |
| Cradock | 04:39 | 04:44 |
| Port Elizabeth | 09:15 |
Beaufort West - Johannesburg
| Train Station | Arrival | Departure |
| Cape Town | 10:00 day 6 | |
| Bellville | 10:25 day 6 | 10:35 day 6 |
| Hugenot | 11:15 day 6 | 11:19 day 6 |
| Wellington | 11:30 day 6 | 11:36 day 6 |
| Worcester | 13:10 day 6 | 13:30 day 6 |
| Matjiesfontein | 15:31 day 6 | 15:36 day 6 |
| Laingsburg | 16:00 day 6 | 16:10 day 6 |
| Beaufort west | 19:25 day 6 | 19:50 day 6 |
| Hutchinson | 21:34 day 6 | 21:39 day 6 |
| De Aar | 23:25 day 6 | 23:45 day 6 |
| Kimberley | 03:32 day 7 | 03:46 day 7 |
| Warrenton | 04:43 day 7 | 04:48 day 7 |
| Christiana | 05:16 day 7 | 05:21 day 7 |
| Klerksdorp | 08:14 day 7 | 08:26 day 7 |
| Potchefstroom | 09:08 day 7 | 09:13 day 7 |
| Krugersdorp | 11:20 day 7 | 11:25 day 7 |
| Johannesburg | 12:16 day 7 |
Please note that running times are not guaranteed.
 Bikes in ‘KP’ |
 Bike off loaded |
Provisional PROGRAMME
2011 GARDEN ROUTE MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOUR - from JHB
| Day 1 | Sunday |
| 09:00 | Passengers with bikes meet at Johannesburg station - Platform 14 |
| 13:15 | Train departs from Johannesburg - Platform 14 Dinner served on the train (included in the tour price) First briefing session Travel on train overnight |
| Day 2 | Monday |
| 07:00 | Breakfast on the train (included in the tour price) |
| 09:15 | Disembarking at Port Elizabeth Day #1 of Motorbike Tour* (see bike itinerary below) Book in at Hotel Dinner served at the hotel (own pocket) Evening at leisure - own program Sleep in Hotel |
| Day 3 - 6 | Tuesday - Friday |
| Breakfast served (included in the tour pirce) Days #2 - #5 of Motorbike Tour* Dinner served at the hotel (own pocket) |
|
| 19:25 | Loading of bikes on train in Beaufort West Travel on train 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 GARDEN ROUTE MOTORBIKE-on-TRAIN TOUR - from PE onwards
Day 2 Monday
Disembark train at PE
Route: Port Elizabeth – Hankey - Patensie – Storms River Mouth – Tsitsikama – Bloukrans Bridge – Bloukrans Pass – Groot River Pass - Natures Valley – Plettenberg Bay - Knysna
Today’s distance = 410 km
Day 3 Tuesday
Route: Knysna – Knysna Heads – Wilderness – George – Outeniqua pass - Oudtshoorn – Cango caves – Foothills of Swartberg Pass - 8 Bells (Ruitersbos)
Today’s distance = 310 km
Day 4 Wednesday
Route: 8 Bells - Robinson Pass – Oudtshoorn – R62 – Calitzdorp – Huis River Pass - Ladismith – Garcia Pass – Riversdale – Albertinia – Mossel Bay – 8 Bells (Ruitersbos)
Today’s distance = 344 km
Day 5 Thursday
Route: 8 Bells – Hartenbos – George – Trolley - Victoria Bay – Herolds Bay – Groot Brakrivier – Mossel Bay - 8 Bells
Today’s distance = 194 km
Day 6 Friday
Route: 8 Bells – Robinson Pass – Oudtshoorn – Dysseldorp - de Rust – Meiringspoort - Klaarstroom – Prince Albert – Prince Albert Road – Leeu Gamka - Beaufort West
Today’s distance = 317 km
Total distance = 1575 km
This itinerary can change without notice
Updated : 21-02-12 | Visitor :
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