We are also looking at the option of providing a truck for luggage transport. This would be limited to one reasonably sized soft bag (approx 55cm x 25cm x 25cm) per participant (no gear-bags, swags or camping gear). There will be a box to tick on the Accommodation Booking Form if you are interested in taking advantage of this service. A small fee of $20 per participant for 5 days luggage transport will be payable at registration to cover truck hire, fuel etc. It will be your responsibility to load and collect your bag. The truck will be leaving last but is expected to arrive first (well that’s the plan anyway) as it will be using the shortest tarmac route to the overnight stop.

As the start and finish venue of the GS Safari will be the same a hard/soft luggage storage area will be provided for those who want to use it while away on the trip. We don’t encourage participants to ride the event with panniers, and now with the luggage transport option a small back pack should be all that’s necessary.

The luggage truck will also form the basis for the Safari Safe & Sound programme. This is a voluntary programme for those travelling alone who are concerned about “going missing” and no one being aware that they may have had a mishap. Triple S ensures we can track the safe arrival of participants. Those registered for luggage transport will automatically be monitored…if you haven’t picked up your luggage we know you haven’t arrived! Those who choose to carry their own luggage can opt to voluntarily register in Triple S. You will need to register during the general registration procedures at the start of the GS Safari. You put your name, personal and accommodation contact details in the Triple S book. It is your responsibility to sign in each evening during BMW Safari HelpDesk hours so that we know you have arrived. If we haven’t heard from you by 7pm then we will call your contact numbers (most evening stops have mobile range). If no one has seen you then we will contact the emergency services. This “Safari Safe and Sound” service is purely voluntary and no liability is accepted by the organisers for those who choose to use it. Please Note - we are not expecting those travelling with friends to require this service.

Rob Turton and crew from Tyres 4 Bikes will be providing their usual and exceptional tyre support service for the duration of the GS Safari. There is a variety of road and track surfaces over the 5 days of riding (but definitely no sand!) and the recommendation is to fit knobbies. These tyres for GS 1150/1200 are currently in very short supply and this situation isn’t about to improve in the short term. Rob and crew will change your tyres to knobbies at the start of Safari and do the reverse at the end (but not until the Saturday). Either you strap what’s left of your tyres to your bike or Rob can arrange shipment to your home address or the nearest tip. However if you want Rob to take care of your tyre needs you must order your tyres at the earliest opportunity. Rob will have your tyres on his truck, and ready to fit, when you arrive at the start. Here are Tyres 4 Bikes contact details: Call Rob or Dave on (07) 3262 4377 to place your order. Tyre 4 Bikes are based in Brisbane - address: 7 Hudson Road, Albion.

Another initiative to be introduced in March, as a result of our post Safari surveys, is Club Solo. Club Solo will enable those riders who don’t know anyone in the GS group to meet others in similar circumstances. So there will be a meeting point at the Welcome Party and each evening so that you can get to socialise. Club Solo is open to everyone in the GS group and we would encourage all of you to give riders new to the Safari a very warm welcome.

Now here’s a rundown of the 5 days of riding that we have planned for you:

Day 1 – Approx 350 km (about 7 hrs with stops): After a good breakfast a short stretch of tarmac will set you up for some spectacular mountain scenery as you descend a twisty and slidy dirt road. ABS must be off, and careful use of the gearbox instead of lots of back brake will assist with controlled entries to the many sharp corners rather than a never-ending out-of-control slide. There’s not much traffic on this road but there will be some. The road eventually straightens before you cross the Victorian border where it goes all wobbly again for a while. Then after around 100 km it’s into hilly farming country and time for those with small tanks to fill up at one of the weirdest fuel stations you’re likely to see. The next 180 km will see you riding a narrow and very twisty road that hugs the rock wall and has an enormous drop into the valley below. Take care on the first 50 km or so as it’s a long way down if you misjudge any of the corners. The track surface changes as you head south, but the scenery is always magnificent and the riding great fun. You’ll cross the Snowy River twice during today’s ride and the last stretch is on tarmac to our overnight stop.

Day 2 – Approx 350 km (about 7 hrs with stops): Summer fires and winter storms have inflicted some pretty bad damage on parts of today’s planned route. At the moment we’re not sure if one section of our route will be officially open when we take off in March, so we’re in the process of planning an alternative. Landslides and a bridge down may mean a detour as we’ve been told repair work won’t be finished until summer 2008. But, of course nothing stands in the way of the intrepid recce team. We started at 8.00am and finished up in a pub 90 km from our intended destination at 7.00 pm having encountered just about every obstacle that could be thrown in our way. We think today’s distance will be around 350 km but will get back to you later when we have it finalised. Needless to say it will be great roads and great riding.

Day 3 – 150 km (about 4 hours with stops): Today’s ride is designed to let you have a relaxing morning and a relaxing afternoon. The ride may be short but today is the day when you decide whether you have got what it takes to control a very steep hill descent. Of course, there’s an easier route for those who already know the answer. And, if it’s wet we all get to go the easy way. The steep section is short…well shortish depending on how quick you get to the bottom and links to a much easier track. This will be a tester for those who may also decide that they can attempt much more of the same on the final day (see Day 5 for details). Keeping the rear wheel turning while going very slowly is the key…lock it up and it could all end in tears. The approach and entry is gradual enough and then it’s too late to go back! Start practising on the side of your house now. The sensible ones will be waiting at the morning tea stop for the hill descenders to arrive. After that it’s onto a great track over the mountains. The trick is finding it so either have a GPS or don’t miss those orange arrows. We keep saying it but the views from the top are amazing and by the way, the journey down is not too intimidating. Everyone will enjoy this to the max.

Day 4 – 240 km (about 6 hours with stops): Straight out of town and almost immediately into the woods on an initially very dusty track. This soon changes to red dirt as we go from uphill major track to downhill minor. It’s a relative short section until we reach the tarmac but good fun to wake up too. Not too long after we’re on a 40 km dirt road which although twisty to begin with opens up later. And what’s that over there on the right? Oh my, it’s Victoria’s highest mountain. Then it’s time for morning tea or an early lunch…have both because there’s nothing else until you get where you are going! Then it’s off up hill, down a side track for a little log jumping, back on track and then a ride onward and upward through some wonderful alpine country to our ski resort night stop.

Day 5 – “Mountain Climbers” 275 km (over 7 hours with stops), “I Know My Limitations” 285 km (about 7 hours with stops).
Let’s deal with the first part of today’s route first which is the same for all. The body will be feeling the stresses of 4 days in the saddle by now, but that first look out of the window of your ski lodge will have you refreshed and raring to go. The first 35 km is great downhill dirt road ride, then it’s on to an incredible twisty stretch of tar through a river valley (yes, more great views!). Then it’s a sharp right through a farm gate (followed by 5 more…so make sure you have a designated gate opener and closer in your group) before you make a spectacular descent to civilisation for morning tea. Well that’s 85 km gone. The fork in the road another 35 km north-west is where the group will split, but only if the green light is given to take the mountain route. Left fork for the A graders, right fork for the sensible.

Whether we actually go mountain climbing is very dependant on the results of our test slope on Day 2. If it’s all too hard, and if it’s wet we definitely will not be going this way. However let’s assume we will be. The Mountain Climbers route will definitely only be for those riders who really know what they are doing…this is not for the brave or the foolish (unfortunately if you are brave or foolish you’ll take absolutely no notice of this warning). Getting up the mountain is a relatively simple affair..and worth it just for the views. The track north from the split is good and gently climbs before descending to the creek where we start heading east. The first part of the climb upwards has been newly graded, then it’s a right up a stony track and onto some logging link roads before we hit the very definite dirt track with 4 wheel drive ruts that signals the final climb to the top. At the top there’s time to stop and admire the view. Getting down is another story. The track is red, muddy clay and while so so in the dry would be impossible when wet. It’s very steep and needs perfect clutch and brake control to get down. Just when you think there can’t be anymore there is, and when there isn’t you then have to ford the Murray. The tarmac run to the finish is very welcoming.

Now back to the sensible riders who took the right fork. You have ahead of you a 65 km track which will take you east through valleys, forest and over mountains before you reach the dirt road north and just another 100 km climb to a hot shower, a comfortable bed and the Farewell Dinner. It’s a rewarding, challenging and great fun ride for every standard of off-road rider without the need to check the batteries in your pacemaker.

So in summary there are a few challenges for those who welcome them and some easier detours for those who are not as experienced or aren’t keen on steep down-hilling. We are travelling mainly in mountainous country so technique will come into it. Any rider with off-road riding skills should be able to enjoy the 5 days of riding, and for those without much experience, as long as you’ve had, or are going to have, a stint at the Off-Road Riding Skills Course you should be fine.

The next full news update will be at the end of January, when we let GS riders have a recommended packing list and a few helpful riding tips. Accommodation Booking Forms will be sent out over the next few weeks in the order in which we received your Registration Form, which means low numbers first. This is to ensure that those who booked earliest have the best choice of available accommodation. So all registered participants should have received the ABF before Christmas. Anything else of importance will be advised to you as soon as we have it. So to all BMW Safari participants – past, present and future have a great Christmas and a spectacular New Year.