Berg & Bush Descent - anyone knows the logistics?

[circo]

So two of us are doing the Berg & Bush and as the event approaches we are trying to understand the logistics of the first night and first day. No luck getting info from organizers so perhaps someone here knows? 

 

here is all the info on the website:

 

8 October 14:00 - Riders register at Winterton Country Club. Riders confirm car shuttles. Supper provided
8 October 18:00 - Race briefing at Winterton Country Club
9 October 06:30 - Race starts at The Border Post, www.borderpost.co.za at the top of Oliviershoek pass.  Riders book cars into the shuttle to be returned to Winterton.  Bags (with pillows and sleeping bags) are loaded into City Courier trucks to be delivered to Emseni camp. Riders arrive at Emseni for lunch

 

I don't know the area but a quick look at the map shows that there are good 65km between Winterton Country Club and the Border Post. And ca. 20km between Winterton Country Club and Emseni camp. 

 

My questions:

1. Is there accomodation provided for the night of 8/9? Assume this would be close to the start, around the border post? Or is it at Emseni? 

2. I understand there is a car shuttle (basically someone driving your car), but what of people who do not have a car? Is there a regular shuttle available or some sort of car pool? 

 

Basically could use a bit of info on the logistics for thursday and friday, so we can plan accordingly. 

 

thanks,

[Gate closer]

1. No accommodation provided at the Border Post got to arrange that yourself. There are a few places close by but not sure if all booked now. Finish is at Emseni or at least it was last year, car was transferred to there.

2. Can't answer as we had own car and used the car transfer. Did not bother with loading anything on truck as we where not going to beat our car down to Emseni.

[Squier]

So, the base of the race is the Emseni camp. This is about 15km (or so) outside of Winterton towards Ladysmith. This is where you will finish on Day 1, and start and finish on Day 2 and 3.

 

Registration is on Thursday in Winterton at the Winterton Country Club. If I remember correctly you are allowed to sleep in your tent in the Race Village @ Emseni on the Thursday night already but it is 15km away from Emseni and there are no shuttles to get you to and from the Country Club.

 

The start on the Friday morning is at The Border Post which is 60km from Winterton, passed Bergville towards Sterkfontein Dam. Add another 15km if you are travelling from Emseni. Again, there are no shuttles taking you there.

 

So, you may be able to sleep in your tent in the race village on the Thursday night already but you have to be able to get to and from Winterton Country Club on the Thursday for Registration and Race Briefing, and you have to be able to get to the Border Post on the Friday morning for the start.

[pgp]

If you fly down:

 

Need a lift from the airport - we've got you covered! Email jani@bergandbush.co.za for bookings!

1. Meet us at the Departure Lounge at King Shaka Airport at 1pm with your bike in a box.
2. We will load your bike in a trailer, and you in the bus to Winterton Country Club for registration at 4pm and dinner.
3. We will take you to Emseni Camp for the night where you can stay in your tent.
4. A bike mechanic will be there to help you assemble their bicycles.
5. The next morning we leave early to head up to the Border Post for The Start (We will supply packed breakfasts).
6. After the race and prize giving we will depart at 2pm from Emseni with your boxed bicycles.