Escape Route #1: Eastern Freestate Adventure

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Join the Next Weekend group on a motorbike OR car ride to the BMW Motorrad Days event in Clarens. 

The adventure starts with 2 days of riding in the picturesque Golden Gate Nature reserve and Normandien Area. We'll be travelling light as all gear will be carried by a full back-up crew. Accommodation for the first two nights is at the beautiful Glen Reenen camp site in Golden Gate where you will be treated to a 5-star camp catering.

From here, we'll leave on the Friday morning to join the festivities at the BMW Motorraddays in Clarens. As we'll be staying really close, faster riders will have the option to shoot in to Afriski for lunch before arriving at the Clarens Backpackers and enjoying all the programming curated by the BMW team.

Requirements:
The Thursday trip is challenging, but doable. Motorbike riders are expected to be experienced and have full gear. The ride is a full-day adventure, so fitness should be considered. For more detail on Normandien Pass visit this website.  This trip is NOT suitable for beginners, if you are unsure about your competence, please mail us.
Please note: ONLY Road legal bikes allowed. Your bike must be able to travel to Clarens and back comfortably on national highways (no bikes on trailers, scramblers/enduro's), but also be able to do offroad comfortably. Riders wanting to visit Afriski need to be in possession of a valid South African passport.

NOTE FOR NON-Adventure Bikers: While this ride is planned for adventure bikes, there are MANY routes for non-adventure bikes too. The on-road routes are however not planned, but on-road riders can still join in all the festivities and activity in the camping and Motorrad Days event.

This trip is open to ALL bike brands, not only BMW.

Pillion riders are welcome - please note if you are riding pillion please book TWO tickets. Ticket prices are per-person.
NOTE FOR GUESTS IN CARS:
Vehicles travelling with who want to join on the Thursday offroading are expected to be 4X4 or 4X2 with diff-lock, or similar high clearance. It is possible for non-4x4's to also join on the trip and simply enjoy the amazing scenery of Golden Gate (this is a tar road).

You will need to provide your own camping for Golden Gate (tent, sleeping bag etc). All catering will be supplied.


PACKAGE OPTIONS:
Ticket 1: Full Package:
This package includes:

• Your BMW Motorrad days General Admission ticket
• Camping at Glen Reenen Camp
• Exquisite camp catering at Glen Reenen Camp
• Dorm Accommodation at Clarens Backpackers (fully booked out for Next Weekend)
• Commerative Next Weekend T-Shirt
• Full back-up support crew to take your gear
• Photography of your adventure
• Video edit of your adventure
• Excellent company with a great group of friends
• Guided routes to take you to some incredible scenic passes and routes

Package Excludes:

• Lunch on Thursday
• Food and drinks from Friday lunch to Sunday
• Camping equipment
• Petrol costs

Ticket 2 :Excluding Clarens Accommodation:
Already have your accommodation sorted for Clarens? No problem! This package includes everything you'll need BEFORE the trip to Clarens. It includes all elements listed above, except accommodation at the Clarens Backpackers.

Ticket 3: Excluding Accommodation and Ticket:
Are you all booked up? Already have your BMW Motorrad ticket AND accommodation sorted but looking for some adventure before? No problem! Simply book this ticket and join us on the Wednesday to Friday.


Itinerary:

Day-1: Wednesday 4 November:
The trip will leave Johannesburg late morning (latest 12:00) on Wednesday 4 November. From here we will travel via N3 to Harrismith, or possibly shoot offroad for a bit depending on rider levels. We'll shoot past Sterkfontein Dam for a swim (weather permitting) and arrive at Glen Reenen Camp site. Setup camp, dinner and camp stories.

Day 2: Thursday 5 November
Early breakfast before heading to Verkykerskop. Using this as a base station, we'll travel to the Normandien Pass and explore the hills and passes surrounding it. From here we'll travel back to Glen Reenen Camp Site and have another excellent meal and night under the stars.

Day 3: Friday 6 November:
After a delicious breakfast, two groups will leave, the first one leaving early to try get to Afriski in Lesotho for lunch. The second group will take a leisurely ride through to Clarens (only 23 KM away), or decide to explore the surrounding dirt roads. 
Accommodation is booked in at the very nice Clarens Backpackers. From here the itinerary for the BMW Motorrad Days event takes over and riders and friends can enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Day 4: Saturday 7 November
BMW Motorrad Days itinerary:

• Access to the Main Square from 10:00 to 22:00 daily.
• Live entertainment.
• Lifestyle activities.
• Exhibitors & food stalls.
• Entrance to the event arena.
• Entrance to the enduro park.
• Test rides (pre booking on the Motorrad website)
• Secure event parking.
• Access to night club.

Including activities like: Barber, Tattoo artist, Leather Worker, Mixologist. For a full line-up of activities, visit the BMW Motorrad Days website. 

Day 5: Sunday 8 November
Leisurely ride back to Johannesburg, either on own time or with group.

What will the ride be like?
The group of riders is FUN - we'll be documenting the entire trip, and will try make it as easy for people to join. The trip is based on the Next Weekend GET LOST trip - have a look here: