For pilots attending the Pre-XC-Open Worlds Series in De Aar in November 2008, you might consider travelling to De Aar by train.  This is the cheapest way to get there, but it does take between 12 and 14 hours depending on delays and of all the times I have travelled this train, there have always been delays.  The good thing is that there is a sleeper service so the journey is reasonably comfortable and it is a great way to catch up on some sleep.  And did I mention that it is ridiculously cheap?

So here is what you need to know:

Tel :  086 000 8888      for booking information.

You DO NOT want to travel on the Sitter Class.  There is nowhere to sleep and the journey is long.  It caters for the very poor and is not as safe as the only other train alternative to De Aar which is Tourist Class.  You want to take Tourist Class.  Not the same as Switzerland, more along the lines of Italy, but for those on a budget, it does the job.

Fare between Cape Town and De Aar at present is R190 one way.  November I would budget on R250 one way due to possible increases.
Fare between Johannesburg and De Aat at present is R120 one way.  Again budget for an increase in November +-  R180.
Told you it was cheap :-)

You can book a 4 sleeper or a 2 sleeper.    If there are enough of you, you can even book your own coach for your party.
Hiring clean and adequate bedding is done at the start of the journey for about R30.  Just speak to one of the uniforms on the train.

There are no locks on the outside of the doors which is a bit of a problem.  If travelling as a group then someone should look after the gear as you take turns in the bar-dining car. I took a bit of a chance leaving my paraglider in the cabin.  There is a lever lock on the inside for when you are in the cabin and want to sleep in peace.

The toilets are public toilets - enough said.

The food is reasonably priced, but nothing special and limited in choice.  You might want to take your own.  The bar will in no way have an adequate supply for a large party of paraglider pilots so if you are going to use the time to party your way to De Aar (Cloudbusters Club made a lasting impression on the staff), take your own.  You are allowed to drink your own booze in the privacy of your cabin.  The staff on the trains are friendly and will go out of their way to try and please you, so please accept that they are trying and please be patient....

I spent much of my time in the dining car which has big windows for taking in the view, plenty of space, few people and big tables for working on my laptop using 3G/GPRS.

As a woman travelling alone I felt perfectly safe ON this train, however, please be careful at the train stations themselves in Johannesburg and Cape Town.  French lady pilot Lulu Viarg was mugged in Johannesburg as she exited the taxi that brought her from the airport to the station and her bicycle and paraglider were stolen. We believe she was set up by the taxi driver and those who were waiting at the station. 

Only take taxi's that are approved by the airport - this is no time to be cheap.
Record the drivers details should you need them later and put those details in your pocket.  Maybe take a pic of the driver.
Do not expect other people to come to your assistance.
Look out for yourselves - you are now in South Africa and need to be vigilant against crime in the cities.
The rural areas are generally much safer and this is certainly the case with De Aar, but don't push it.
When you get to De Aar, you can relax, but still exercise reasonable caution and don't leave your valuables lying around.