2008 BMW TS Safari registrations for the August trip to Queensland currently stand at 142. So tell us what’s it like down south in August…warm, tropical, sunshine, romantic, exotic, relaxing, fun? No it’s not many or not any of these. So if you’re a southerner why wouldn’t you travel through the chill for a few days and seek the excitement and camaraderie of a BMW Safari? Ever wondered how they bend those bananas? It’s really a no brainer so make, and take, some time out doing something that is going to be magnificently rewarding. And it’s really simple to do. Just fill out the registration form (click here to download the Registration Form) and we’ll take care of everything else... so easy.

We have had many requests for the Farewell Dinner to be brought forward to the Friday evening instead of the Saturday so that those with a long way to go to get home can use the weekend to do this. This changed format was introduced on the recent GS Safari and was welcomed by all the participants. So after careful consideration we have decided to move the TS Farewell Dinner to Friday 22 August.

As promised but a little late due to GS Safari commitments... our apologies, is a day by day summary of the event:

Day 1 - Sunday 17 August
You’ll find yourself 200 km north of Brisbane in a beautiful bay with a view of the offshore islands and will probably walk a unique landmark that juts out into the sea. Registration and tonight’s Welcome Party will be at the local yacht club with panoramic views across the harbour.

Day 2 - Monday 18 August
Today’s ride, for the committed, is around 550 km of fantastic roads that take you away from the humdrum of the main highway on sometimes almost deserted stretches of tarmac. Scenery is superb and it shouldn’t be that difficult to maintain a good average speed. We estimate that you should be at our overnight stop after 7-9 hrs of riding including stops for refreshment. For those who want a more relaxed and shorter day there is the alternative of a 400 km trip up the highway.

Day 3 – Tuesday 19 August
Not so far today... only 440 km. We start at a leisurely pace on the highway and before 2 hours are up you’ll be filling your tank to the brim before we take you on a very interesting country diversion. In places the road is not in great shape but it is tarmac! With many low hills and dips you will at times feel the thrill of riding a roller coaster, and an occasional glance to your left may  reveal what could pass for a desert landscape. There’s only one place to stop for refreshment in 200 km so you’ll make good time today.

Day 4 – Wednesday 20 August
Only 380 km today as you head north for your rest day and two nights in a city that has now become a very stylish place to live and relax. On the way take a side trip into the town that became a film set for “our Nichol” and have some lunch at the top of the look-out or graze among the cafes in the main street. This place has some great beaches and some amazing murals. Further north and in another 3 hours you’ll be casting that motorcycle clothing aside as you slip into something more comfortable and head into town for the cocktail hour. Great scenery today, and a relaxing and interesting day’s ride.

Day 5 – Thursday 21 August
No need to slip on those chamois packed, padded bicycle pants today as you can leave the bike on its stand. If you haven’t already reserved your spot in the local launderette it’s not too late to freshen up your wardrobe. Today is the Safari rest day which means you can do nothing or not much at all. For those who can’t stay away from their bike we have a day ride out to what used to be Queensland’s second largest city, in the gold mining heydays. You’ll see some charming old buildings including the historic stock exchange. For those of you who want to be moved by other modes of transport take a trip out to an island, enjoy some watersports and lunch on the beach. Keen scuba divers may want to go and dive a very famous wreck. Many of you may just want to explore locally and put down some roots in one of the beachside eateries. Whatever you choose it’s a day to relax.

Day 6 – Friday 22 August
Today you’re fully rested and champing at the bit to start on today’s 450 km odyssey. You’re heading for the tourist capital of northern Queensland where you’ll be spending the final 2 nights of the TS Safari. Today’s ride is a mix of highway, narrow winding country roads, a trip through the spectacular waterfall circuit... and perhaps even time for a swim en route. There are plantations everywhere producing everything from mangos to tea. What a day..what an absolute delight... oh can life get any better than this? Yes, of course it can, because tonight is the Farewell Dinner in the ballroom of one of this city's great hotels

Day 7 – Saturday 23 August
For those of you who don't have to start the trip home this morning there are so many things to do today that you are going to be exhausted just thinking about them. You can take an historic train trip up into the hills to some famous markets and then wing it back through the tree-tops. How about some white-water rafting? What about that famous reef... you know the Great Barrier one? You can be out there and back and it will still be daylight. Oh and you can even jump on your bike and do a 240 km superb circuit of hills, ports and beaches... and have a swim in Mossman Gorge on the way! The really adventurous can ride onto the ferry and take the trip across the Daintree River to Cape Tribulation. We'll be providing "on call" technical support for the day just in case you may need it.

Phew, well that’s it. Sounds quite exciting doesn’t it? So cancel the villa in Tuscany and make a date with destiny... 17 August 2008. Click here to download the Registration Form.

For those of you who prefer to fly/ride here are the bike transport costs from Bikes Only:
- Bikes Only special rates for 2008 TS Safari registered participants only
- Contact Manelle Callen
- Phone: 07 3219 7000 Fax: 07 3219 7122 Email: info@bikesonly.com.au

* All prices are GST inclusive and are from/to city Bikes Only depot. Private address pick-up/delivery will incur an additional charge. All inquiries and arrangements direct to Manelle at Bikes Only.

2008 GS Safari round-up: Judging by the many positive comments received during the event and via the Research Questionnaire the 2008 GS Safari can be judged a great success. The Bureau of Meteorology had booked yet another perfect week of weather conditions for the Safari in the NSW and VIC High Country... sunshine, blue skies and a little afternoon shower on the final day to damp down the dust... doesn’t get much better than that!

Day 1 - Sunday 2 March saw some frantic activity, in the underground car park, at the Quality Resort Horizons in Jindabyne as Rob and his crew from Tyres For Bikes switched most of the group onto knobby tyres for the 5 days of riding. Registration went very smoothly, followed by the Welcome Event in the bistro and then it was off to bed to prepare for the first day’s ride on Monday to Lakes Entrance.

Day 2 – Monday 3 March was a beautiful mountain morning. A few riders managed to get lost in the first 500 metres by following the wrong arrows in the direction of the Alpine Way. A look at their route map confirmed the error of their ways and they were soon back on track. The Barry Way was a good warm-up for riders of all skill levels, and although the spectacular scenery was tempting to look at, the enormous drop-offs kept most people’s eyes glued firmly on the road. It was off on some back tracks before a stop at Buchan, where Carla at the Caves Café did more business in 3 hours than she does in 3 months. Thankfully impatience does not feature highly on the list of Safari participants characteristics as the wait was sometimes very loooooooooooong! After the stop it was all off-road to Lakes Entrance on a variety of interesting tracks. With that many bikes some small sections became quite broken up which caused a few people a few problems. There were a few retirements at Lakes Entrance but for 99% the show was very much going on.

Day 3 – Tuesday 4 March and the destination was Mansfield. The first part of the day was tarmac on the way to reach the tracks over the mountains. Then it was up Marathon Rd and around the Avon Widerness Park, through Arbuckle Junction and then the twisty descent down Tamboritha Rd to lunch at Licola. It was after lunch that things went a little pear-shaped with someone, unconnected with the Safari, thinking it would be very amusing to move one of the directional arrows and send the majority of the group down the very dangerous South Rd to Heyfield rather than the Jamieson Rd to Jamieson. Confusion and talcum powder dust reigned with a few logging trucks thrown in for good measure. Fuel became an issue for a few but after some orientation exercises most realized they had been thrown a dummy and all eventually arrived in Mansfield, in surprisingly good humour with some having ridden an extra 200 kms!

Day 4 – Wednesday 5 March was a short day straight over the mountains to Bright. Many found the rough sections, east of Lake Buffalo and before the mountain climb, a challenge while others just lapped it up. The scenery was fantastic but probably not if you found yourself lying on the ground!

Day 5 – Thursday 6 March we headed for the Victorian ski resort of Falls Creek. Early in the day the lead riders spent some time pulling fallen trees from the track so that the group would be able to get through. Where is that chain-saw when you need it?! The general store at Mitta Mitta was overwhelmed by the demand for food and drink, prior to the ascent up the Omeo Highway. More than a few came undone on this day with a few nursing bruises and some even worse for wear when the sun finally set on the revellers in the Man Hotel at Falls Creek.

Day 6 – Friday 7 March... the final day and the return trip to Jindabyne. Concentrating on where you were going, judging the surfaces and anticipating the bends were the order of the day as everyone wanted to arrive in one piece for the Farewell Dinner. Omeo was the morning tea stop and the track from there was quick in places but with some slippery surfaces and the odd surprise corner catching out those who had thrown caution to the wind. Then it was back up the Barry Way to a well-earned beer, the mechanical bull and the final night of dinner, prize awards and tall stories in the company of old and many new friends.

For those of you have ordered a DVD of the event our latest production update sees the DVD being ready to send out by mid-April. You can see a preview of the 2008 BMW GS Safari DVD by clicking here.

We are currently analysing the completed Research Questionnaires that many GS Safari participants have kindly sent in and we will let you have the results shortly. Our sincere thanks for your input, which is very much appreciated.

Dates and venue for the next GS Safari will be announced when available. However, as usual, we’ll be sitting down to review the 2008 event before looking at the options, format and locations for the next one.