Karoo-Taster tour for Adventure motorcyclists led by Nick Yell.

Figure 1: The view over the escarpment from Blesfontein guest farm.

Package 2 Karoo-Taster for Adventure motorcyclists (3 nights/4 days ride only) Background: In total, the proposed package entails five nights and five days, the first night and last of which are spent at a luxury hotel on Cape Towns fashionable eastern seaboard. After settling in at the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay on Day 1, it is suggested that riders make use of GS Africas or Motorrad Rentals shuttle to their depot(s) in Bloubergstrand or the V&A Waterfront respectively. After riders have collected their bikes and protective equipment it is suggested that they familiarise themselves with their mounts by taking themselves on a short ride around the beautiful Cape Peninsula. The Karoo-Taster ride itself, starts on Day 2 and lasts until Day 5 (inclusive) making a total of 4 days and 3 nights on the road. The ride has been carefully planned to take riders to a select and accessible range of the Karoos riding destinations (sleeping in comfortable accommodation) over a variety of surfaces and difficulty although average difficulty is beginner to moderately experienced. The route entails a ratio of 57% dirt tracks to tar, averages around 330 kilometres a day and covers a total of 1326 kilometres over the four days.

Figure 2: Donkey carts are often the only other transport you see on the back roads of the Karoo.

Figure 3: A puff-adder gets a riders attention in the Tankwa Karoo

Day 1: Guests arrive in Cape Town and make their way to the Ambassador Hotel in Cape Town by pre-arranged hotel shuttle or Taxi. Guests will then, by prior arrangement, be transported by GS Africas or Motorrad Rentals shuttle to collect their pre-booked motor bikes and other equipment in Bloubergstrand or the V&A Waterfront and then ride them back to the Ambassador Hotel. After their familiarising ride around the peninsula, guests can park their bikes in the pre-arranged undercover parking and prepare for their departure early the next morning.

Figure 4: The beautiful view from Ouberg Pass over the Tankwa and Ceres Karoos

Day 2: Depart 7 a.m. from Bantry Bay to meet up with Nick Yell and team at the Bot River Hotel (90 kms from Cape Town on the N2 motorway) and after a short briefing, depart for Blesfontein Guest Farm in Sutherland riders will be able to stargaze from an amateur observatory here. The first part of this trip entails a fair amount of tar 175 kms in total) but also boasts wonderful dirt track riding over the plains of the Ceres and Tankwa Karoos, culminating in a mildly challenging dirt track (difficulty is rain dependant) pass up onto the beautiful roggeveld escarpment. Distance: 360 kms 185 kms on dirt (51%). Difficulty Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 5: Finding a lonely koppie (ancient hillock) with view is a favourite pastime.

Day 3: Depart 8.30 a.m. from Blesfontein Farm for Prince Albert via the Moordenaars Karoo, Laignsburg and Merweville. This is a highly varied route with a couple of minor challenges the odd mud-filled drift, a steep pass and some loose gravel surfaces. The route will see us descending from the Bo-Karoo into the lower lying regions and incorporates a roundabout and absorbing track to the popular tourist town of Prince Albert. Distance: 342 kms 214 kms on dirt (63%). Difficulty Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 6: The dirt track Swartberg Pass has been compared in majesty to the Darjeeling Pass that leads into Tibet.

Day 4: Depart Prince Albert at 9 a.m. for Ladismith via the spectacular dirt track Swartberg Pass, Kruisrivier, Seweweekspoort and Anysberg to Ladismith Country House. The days route starts with the ascent of the Swartberg Pass, follows the foothills of the southern Swartberg Mountain range, transits the narrow and twisted canyon that makes up the magnificent Seweweekspoort and then follows a meditative dirt track to Ladismith. Distance: 258 kms 211 kms on dirt (82%). Difficulty Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 7: The narrow canyon comprising twisted and folded mountains that make up the Seweweekspoort were eroded by an ancient river flowing from the prehistoric Karoos inland sea.

Day 5: Depart 8 a.m. from Ladismith for the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay some riders may prefer, for an extra fee, to have their bikes collected from the hotel, alternatively they will need to be dropped back in Bloubergstrand with GS Africa (or Motorrad Rentals at the V&A Waterfront), who will then shuttle folk back to the hotel once all payments have been finalised. The days route takes in an absorbing and beautiful stretch of gravel from Ladismith to Montagu and then its a tar trip, via Stormsvlei and the N2, back to Cape Town. Distance: 366 kms, 140 kms on dirt (38%). Difficulty: Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 8: Karoo sunsets are in a class of their own.

Costs involved Bike hire: based on a BMW GS1200 over the five day period, with around 300 free kms per day, the total bike hire charge, excluding the standard deposits/insurance excess/knobbly tire swap-outs/shuttle and fuel, will be around R1, 600 (160) per day. (For own account) Subtotal per person for five days (picked up a day before road trip starts): R 8,000 (800) Projected fuel and oil costs: R 1,500 (150) per person for the trip (For own account) Guiding and back up fee: Nicks guiding and tour management fees are R750 per day, for the first person and then R150 per person per day thereafter (up to a maximum of 6 guest riders), while the amount for the back-up vehicle, trailer and replacement motor bike, comes at an additional flat fee of R1, 200 per day regardless of the size of the group. Subtotal per person (based on three riders) for four days: R 3,000 (300) with back up vehicle, or R1, 400 (140) for Nick alone.

Cape Town Hotel Accommodation (Ambassador see www.newmarkhotels.com ) for two nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis: +-R1, 750 per person per night (single rates) Subtotal per person for two nights: +- R3, 500 (350) per person (dependant on sea views etc.) Accommodation and food on the Karoo road trip, based on comfortable B&B, GuestHouse and Hotel accommodation on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis calculated on an average of R600 per person per night. Subtotal per person for three nights: R 1, 800 (180) Road snacks for lunches and in-betweeners, drinks and refreshments estimated at around R150 per person per day (For own account) Estimated subtotal per person for four days: R600 (60) TOTAL ESTIMATED COST PER PERSON (including back-up vehicle): TOTAL ESTIMATED COST PER PERSON (excluding back-up vehicle): ESTIMATE FOR RETURN FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE TO CAPE TOWN Making a booking and conditions All arrangements, bar the booking and payment of deposits for the motor bike, gear hire and transfers (you do this directly through GS Africa or Motorrad Rentals), are made via Nick by emailing him at: yell@telkomsa.net or by contacting him on +27 (0) 82 453 1804. Bookings will need to be made and finalised at least 6 weeks in advance, with 50% of the above amount paid into the account (detailed below) by such time. Due to the upfront payment requirements of our suppliers we will unfortunately not be able to refund deposits once bookings have been made. Bank details Bank: ABSA Branch: Sandton Branch code: 631005 Swift code (only if required) absajjza Account name: N.H.Yell Account number: 712 684 801 Type: Cheque Email payment notification to: yell@telkomsa.net R 18,400 (1,840) R 16,800 (1,680) R 10, 000 (1,000)

What to bring with you All riding clothes, casual wear (nothing fancy required) protective gear, neck scarf, sunblock, prescription medicines and other personal effects required for the trip. Camera, cell phone (although reception is limited) and fold-up eating utensil. Cash in Rands as card facilities are limited in the Karoo hinterland Good sunglasses A sense of humour

Other general notes If you want to check out the proposed route on the net, either use Google Earth or visit: http://www.southafrica.co.za/about-south-africa/at-a-glance/map-of-southafrica/ or similar. Good background reading: Timeless Karoo by Jonathan Deal; Karoo Keepsakes by Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit; The Great Karoo by Leon Nel; Discovering Southern Africa by T.V. Bulpin, Karoo by Lawrence Green. The Plains of Camdeboo by Eve Palmer and Circling the Great Karoo by Nicholas Yell.

Copyright: Nick Yell, P.O. Box 252, Bot River, 7185, South Africa. Cell +27 (0) 82 453 1804