2011 BMW GS Safari dates

The 2011 GS Safari will be held in September, from the 18th-24th and will commence in Broken Hill and finish down the spectacular South Australian coast in Port Lincoln. Being a GS Safari it will be majority off road, taking in the Flinders Ranges and the southern tip of Lake Eyre before heading south towards the coast.

The BMW Safari events started in the early 90's and are open to both GS and road BMW's. Over the years, the events grew to the point where the off-road GS Safari and on-road TS Safari were created to better suit the requirements of each group.

The Safari formula is a proven winner. Lead riders mark a course and participants also have route sheets and GPS routes, so there is little chance of taking a wrong turn. Participants leave each morning at their own time (this is not a large group ride), usually riding in small groups, and follow the route stopping when and where they want. Food and fuel stops are marked on the route sheets as well as places of interest, so participants have the best chance to see the popular spots.

There will be technical support riders in the group to assist where required, as well as a support vehicle at the back of the group. At the end of each day there is a designated meeting place to brief for the next day and collect the next route sheet. Participants can book accommodation from budget through to 5-star (when available), with the opportunity to sleep in a tent one evening as some of the destinations are very remote!

With a focus on flexibility, participants can ride to the start point, or have their bike trucked and fly in. There is also the same option at the finishing point for those with limited time.

Booking information will be provided in the coming weeks, along with more details about the 2011 GS Safari route. For those waiting for TS Safari information, expect the event to run in early 2012.

If you haven't already registered your interest on the BMW Safari website, visit www.bmwsafari.com and you will be provided with the latest information and booking details as soon as it is available.

This year's GS Safari is best suited to riders with some off road experience, but you don't need to be a guru off road rider to enjoy the GS Safari. There will be some easy options on some days and there will also be a two day GS training course on Saturday 17th and Sunday the 18th of September in the Broken Hill area.