Why Colesberg?      

The organizers initially chose Colesberg as it is so centrally situated and is accessible for riders from most major centers.

Harley Davidson Club

Since then the Colesberg community, businesses and especially Rotary has gone out of their way to make Colesberg the best destination for this annual rally.

 

DAILY PROGRAM 2004

 

THURSDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER:

 

19:00

Unofficial Disco Party for locals – all welcome. Music by Lionel Hunt

 

FRIDAY 24th

 

09h00 to 17h00

Official Rally Registration. Registration at the Church Hall, Stockenstrom Street

15:00 to 17:30

Ride in Bike Show (concourse). Download your registration form off the website;

16:00 – 18:00

HOG Club Directors and HD Dealers meeting. Meet at the Horse and Mill conference room 1st Floor Hosted by Bob Bartholomew – Rally Convener

17.30 to 20:00

Relax and rewind at the Jack Daniels pub for Happy Hour, or visit the Namibia Breweries Beer Garden for a few cold ones;

20h00 till late

“Welcome Home Reunion Party” in main entertainment area – join “Fake Leather Blues” band for some rip-roaring rock ‘n roll

 

SATURDAY 25th

 

 

09h00 -14h00

“Mystery Tour”: Meet Pierre Gonneau in Stockenstrom Street for an initial Thunder Parade through the streets of Colesberg, and then on and out into the Karoo countryside for a mystery ride to various destinations. Brunch will be provided. Register for this on the registration form, and PLEASE make sure your bike is full !

 

 

Cost: R 30.00

 

09h30 to+-14h00

Gutter Gremlins hosted ride

11h30 to +-14h00

Cape Town hosted ride

14h00 to 17h00

Harley Games hosted by Wescol Insurance Brokers. Join in and test your Harley skills. Prizes to be won. At worst, bring along a cold one and watch the fun. Lionel Hunt will once again entertain you with some great Rock ‘n Roll during the afternoon

 

18h00 to 19h00

Happy Hour at the Jack Daniels Pub or Namibia Breweries Beer garden

19h00

Use your free food voucher to sample the wares from the various restaurants and stalls around the square;

 

20h00 till late

“An American Dream” – rock your socks off to the sounds of Bone Idol from Cape Town. Dress for the part in your stars and stripes.

 

24h00

MIDNIGHT MEANDER: The event of the evening: Do you have the goolies (literally) for this one? Meet in Stockenstrom Street and see who rides the slowest in their bandana and boots.

 

 

Sunday 26th

 

 

08h00 to 09h00

The Bosses’ Breakfast: Directors; Presidents and Chairmen of the various clubs meet for breakfast and photograph at Wild Steer

 

09h00 to 10h00

Depart at your leisure, dreaming of the 2005th rally ! Ride safe.

 

 

ACTIVITIES

 

Happy Hours

Daily from Friday 24th between 18h00 to 19h00 at the Rotary / Jack Daniels Pub or Namibia Breweries Beer Garden. Shooters, raffle tickets and scratch cards – fun for all. Try your hand at Black Jack with “Uncle Jack”

 

MYSTERY TOUR

Meet Saturday morning in Stockenstrom Street at 08:30 for a 09:00 Thunder Parade through Colesberg and then into the Karoo for a Karoo brunch of note. Rally will be hosted by Pierre Gonneau and will be full of surprises. Return to Colesberg at around 14:00;

 

H.O.G. Club Directors and HD Dealers Meeting

Harley Dealers and HOG Club Directors meet at the Horse and Mill on Friday 24th at 16h00 on the 1st floor

 

“WELCOME HOME REUNION PARTY"

Friday 24th at 20:00 – welcome back to Colesberg !! Rock till you drop with Fake Leather Blues Band

 

RIDE IN BIKE SHOW (CONCOURSE)

Think your baby is beautiful ? Then enter her in the “Ride in Bike” show. Be sure to get your entries in early (you can download them off the website). Prize for best overall bike is a hand crafted Gold and Silver belt buckle by ORPHEO JEWELLERS of Hyde Park. This is a unique, individual piece valued at R 10 000.00 !

 

Starts:

Friday 24th at 14:30 – 17:30

Where

In Bell Street (outside the “Horse & Mill” pub).

Categories:

1. Overall winner (Judges Catergory)

 

2. Stcok Harley

 

3. Custom Harley

 

4. Vintage (pre 1973) which will be divided into 1903 - 1950 and 1951 - 1973

 

5. Best ladies Bike

 

 

What the Judges will be looking for :

 

Overall attractiveness of the bike: style; look and lines;

 

Spray Job/polish/colour: use of Colour; quality;

 

Accessories: Use of accessories to compliment the bike.

 

Finish: How the total package has been put together;

 

Cleanliness: Overall polich and clean

 

Engineering: Innovation; safety; Performance; Handling; Braking

 

Midnight Mile Meander

 

When?

Saturday night at midnight

Where?

Stckenstrom Street

Dress:

Bandanna and boots

Entrance:

Included in your rally fee

What Happens?

Get your banadann and boots on (nothing else !); line up at the start of Stockenstrom Street; ride the mile as slow as possible; The one who is the slowest WINS !

 

(Warning, this event is not for the faint hearted or sensitive viewers. If you are not comfortable with the idea, don't go there!)

 

Harley Games

 

 

When ?

Saturday 25th from 14:00

Where?

In the bike park opposite the church

What's it about ?

The games have once again been organised and sponsored by Wescol Brokers. Come and participate or simply bring a beer and watch the fun.

Details:

Play for as long as you like:

 

Barrel Roll - a true test of skill

 

Slow ride - are you a 'foot up" expert at the robots ? Prove it.

 

Bike wash - not what it really sounds like !

 

"An American Dream"

Saturday nights main joll. There will be a brief announcement of lucky draws; awards etc, and handover of donations to our sponsored charity. then on to the main party of the rally - This is our own "Sturgis" so let's rock like the Yanks. Bone Idol from Cape Town are our band of choice. This 6 piece will entertain you till late.

 

The Bosses Breakfast:

All directors; presidents and chairman of Harley clubs are invited to an informal breakfast meeting at 08:00 at the Wild Steer. Open discussion on the pros and cons of this rally plus ideas for forthcoming rallies. A group photo will be taken.;

 

Thunder Parade:

Saturday morning at 08:30 - line up in Stockenstrom Street. The good folk of Colesberg have opened their hearts to Harley riders, so let's give them something back by way of a parade through the streets of Colesberg.

 

DO WE HAVE TO LEAVE ?

Unfortunately, as nice as the Colesberg folk are, they want us to go home some time. But we will be back and it is getting bigger and better every year. There is no official ride back, but the JHB support vehicle will be leaving at around from Stockenstrom Street by 11h00, so if you have kit to get on this, be there before 10h45

 

 

 

ALL ROADS LEAD AWAY FROM COLESBERG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harley-Davidsons only?       

 

Yes, the rally is only open to Harley owners and riders and only Harley's will be allowed in the demarcated areas. Although some Harley owners may own other brands of motorcycles, these will not be permitted in the rally area.

           

What do we pay the registration fee for?    

 

Yes, can you believe, there are still people who ask this question.

The registration fee is used for amongst other things;

  • The costs incurred in organizing the event i.e. telephone, travel, printing and stationery and general basic office costs; 

  • Contracting the bands for both events;

  • Contracting the DG and background music and PA systems;

  • Transporting equipment and people;

  • Erecting tents and fencing;

  • Building a stage;

  • Setting up lights;

  • Fun events;

  • Pins and registration packs;

  • Organizing gifts and sponsors:
    The registration fee is not paid to go on the rally or the bike rides, there and back. So whether you trailer, fly or hike, whether you ride or own a Harley is not relevant. If you are joining the rally and want to enter the demarcated rally areas and participate in the events, you need to pay the minimal registration fee. The organizers challenge any one to have more fun for the same amount of money anywhere.  

  • Gatecrashers:
    Yes, quite pathetic but there are Harley owners and riders that actually pride themselves in being able to break in on the rally and events without having to pay the rally fee. And then they need to talk about it and share it with all. It is quite evident to all thinking individuals that the registration fee is exceptional value, so that=92s not it.
    The organizing committee knows who most of these individuals are and would like to ignore the issue, but many paying members actually have a problem with the gatecrashers, so some new measures have been introduced. 

  • New strengthened comprehensive fencing;

  • Perimeter lighting;

  • Spot checks and  

  • 3 hired under cover bouncers to protect the rally goers from any external undesirables, as well as our own undesirables.

We are sure we will have the floaters like all rallies have, but do not believe they will get into any of the rally events. And if they do we'll let you know who they are!

 

Routes             

All roads lead to Colesberg. Riders will be traveling from all corners of South Africa , in pairs or small and medium groups. Some riders are leaving the week before and detouring Namibia on their way to Colesberg. There are also a few riders from outside our borders and even from outside Africa that will be joining.

           

H.O.G. and other clubs:

The Colesberg Rally is not affiliated to any specific Harley motorcycle club, or dealership. Some of the members of the organizing committee happen to be members of H.O.G. Johannesburg, Harley Davidson Clubs Port Elizabeth and Cape Town , but that is coincidental.

All Harley owners and riders, clubs and dealerships are welcome. As are related aftermarket vendors. All funds raised are for direct expenses and charities and no individual organizing committee member derives any benefits from the rally.

           

Weather         

The nights could still be cold but the days beautiful. There is the outside possibility of some rain. So bring it all, the summer, winter and wet weather clothes. The organizers have arranged excellent weather fro the Midnight Mile Meander though. 

 

For photos visit: http://www.paulhofman.co.za/motorcycle-l2r.htm