During the 2017 Wing Fling, members went on two runs, one on Monday, 16 October 2017, and the other on Tuesday, 17 October 2017. Details of the runs, are at the bottom of this post.
BERGVILLE EXPLORER RUN
Bethlehem to Bingelela Restaurant in Bergville
on Monday 16 October 2017
General
On this run we will riding from Bethlehem, to Clarens, through Golden Gate National Park, and then past the Sterkfontein Dam, through the Oliviershoek Pass to the Bingelela Country Restaurant just outside Bergville in KZN.
A note on the condition of the roads:
We drove these roads about 3 weeks ago when laying out this route, and these roads are overall in good to excellent condition and there were no potholes that we could see. However, there has been some rain since then, so please just take a bit of care. There are also some road works near the Little Switzerland Restaurant in the Oliviershoek Pass, and there is one stop-and-go with a bypass of about 3 km. It is still a tar road, albeit not in the best of conditions, but still easily rideable with a Wing.
Also please note that the first part of the route is about 180 km, so those riding 1500 trikes should allow for a petrol stop in Golden Gate, at Bergville, and again in Harrismith on the way back.
Bethlehem to Bingelela
Departure time: 09:00 from The Loft
Distance: ± about 2 to 2 ½ hours to Bergville depending on the stops.
Directions:
From The Loft, turn left into Murray Street. Proceed straight across FOUR crossroads until Muller Street (N5) where we turn right and follow the N5, direction Harrismith. Just outside Bethlehem (about 10 km), we turn right onto the R712, direction Clarens and Golden Gate. It is then about 45 km to the Golden Gate Park offices, where there is also a petrol station. I suggest that all 1500 trikes fill up here, as it is about another 120 km to Bergville.
We continue through Golden Gate not forgetting to stop and admire the scenery at a number of places. The sandstone formations really are spectacular.
Once out of Golden Gate, we follow the R712, through Qwa-Qwa, until we get to a turnoff to Bergville on the R74. This road is in very good condition.
We turn right on the R74 towards Bergville, about 62 km away, with the Sterkfontein dam on your right-hand side. There are some fantastic viewpoints over the dam on the right-hand side about 4 to 5 km after the turnoff, and overlooking the KZN Midlands from Oliviershoek Pass on the left about 6 to 7 km further. Apart from the previously mentioned stop-and-go and some road works, this road is generally in good condition, with the first part until the pass being brand new.
The Bingelela Restaurant will be on our left-hand side about 2 km before the town of Bergville.
After lunch, the 1500 trikes should refuel at Bergville before heading back.
Bingelela back to Bethlehem
Distance: ± 160 km
Details:
It is quite mountainous with a lot of uphill for about 40 km to the Sterkfontein Dam, so 1500 trike riders should determine if a full tank will be enough. However, we can stop in Harrismith for fuel if needed, which is about 85 km from Bergville. From Harrismith it is another 85 km to Bethlehem.
We will follow the road we came along, back to the R712 where we will then turn right towards Harrismith. After about 6 km we will get to a T-junction which is the N5. If there are bikes that need petrol, we will turn right to Harrismith which is about 3 km away.
Otherwise we turn left and continue for about 80 km back to Bethlehem.
Route planning done by:
Luke Hartog
Chairperson: Wing Riders Central
EXPLORER RUN
Bethlehem to the Eastern Free State
on Tuesday 17 October 2017
General
This is not a treasure run, nor are there any cryptic or difficult clues that might possibly send a rider in the wrong direction, depending on the interpretation of the clues. The idea is to take you, the rider, and your friends, on a ride through the historic region of the Eastern Free State, and along the way, to show you some of the places that we have found interesting on previous trips. By all means feel free to explore and see other places that are not part of this list.
We will be visiting Fouriesburg, then Ficksburg where we will be having lunch, and then back via Fouriesburg to Clarens, where you are free to do some exploring and wandering.
A note on the condition of the roads: We drove these roads about three weeks ago when laying out this route, and while the road is a bit bumpy and uneven in places, there were no potholes that we could see. However, there has been some rain since then, so please just take care.
Most of the places that we will be visiting have got many reviews on websites such as Trip Advisor and SafariNow, so you can do some homework beforehand.
Also please note that the entire route is about 230km, so those riding 1500 trikes should allow for a petrol stop about halfway. I recommend Ficksburg for this.
Route planning done by:
Luke Hartog
Chairperson: Wing Riders Central
