Below are some photos from the Friday up until just before Team CVA 1&2 came in. There are none after that because it was "caring and driving" time followed by the mandatory "jolly up" post race.
Will attempt to evolve the photos into a "photo essay" in the coming weeks.
Warren and Pat getting ready for their warmup ride in a -1°C wind chill factor.
The Poort is open! My beloved road between Uniondale and Avontuur has re-opened after two years of closure. The memories of my 2007 'working sabbatical' in here came flooding back.
Why don't they just R1.00/piss?
Leaders and eventual winners Geddan Ruddock and Timo Cooper racing into checkpoint 4.
Ruddock and Cooper were in and out in under two minutes.
Team Loutrans (Dirk Maarsingh and David Walsh) surprised themselves with a second place finish.
Team Loutrans refueling.
Team Loutrans: "Maak daai nommer skoon!"
Roger Pheiffer and Nick Cape in third.
Carel Bezuidenhout waiting for his lights - Team Merrells seconding vehicle was delayed.
A happy David Walsh after finishing second.
The "dark horses" Pat (left) and Warren (far right) consult the Beast on race tactics.
Pat and Warren's accommodation in Willowmore. I got lost inside the house more than once.
Team Dark Horse's seconding vehicle.
"See you tomorrow morning honey."
Baviaans meets Power of One.
Into the light and chilly wind.
A panoramic view of lush vegetation and waterfalls.
The Beast's steed. Incidentally, Trevor has been riding Cannondale bicycles since 1992.
Sustenance ready.
The Willowmore Aquatics Centre.
The Willowmore Pavilion.
"Hey Pat, what are you doing in a fancy tracksuit like that?"
Warren was the first "26er" in the 2011 Trans Baviaans.
The bike, the fan - where are the rollers?
Mossad is watching you.
The boxes packed for checkpoints 2 and 3 where most seconding vehicles are not allowed.
Pat's 29er. Very clean.
The Beast pondering what to do for his 50th birthday celebrations.
Warren pre-lubing...
...under the watchful eye of the Beast.
Pat in his tracksuit pants from "Cool Runnings".
"This is how you do it Pat! This is how!"
Smile - you're on Candid Camera!
Jan (second left) rides the Baviaans every year with Warren's dad and is a former Mr. Universe and SA Bodybuilding Champion.
Warren's dad holding court.
The fire was gladly welcomed.
Die eetsaal. Maar waar is die prefekte?
"Yes Andrew, I know Andrew."
Preparing the bottles before dinner.
Clinton Barrow and Brent Pheiffer from PE.
When you're waiting for Payne, you've got to keep yourself amused.
Guerrilla Marketing: New Balance minimalist trail running shoes prominent at a Merrell-sponsored event.
Andrew, for goodness sakes. We're not at the beach.
"What kak is in here?"
The legendary Peter Barber from Hout Bay. Peter regularly embarrasses riders a third of his age in Cape Town cycling events.
Warren getting ready to warm up.
Team Dark Horse in relaxed mood before the start.
Peter Barber (right) with son Steven.
To warm up or not warm up?
Mr Robertson senior dressed appropriately for the -4°C wind chill factor.
Team New Market Hotels/Virgin Active with race commentator extraordinaire, Paul Valstar.
Pat shivering.
Warren looking for Payne and Beast.
