With our Souff African supporters at Qsar al Sarab. Peter (in pink shirt) came to cheer us on last year too. New additions include Johan and 'Bossie'. Unfortunately Mark Joyce has left by the time I remembered to take a photo. They've been working out here and now that the resort is almost complete they'll head into Abu Dhabi city to start work on a new resort. Guys, thank you for your warm welcome.
Looking like a sand castle, Qsar al Sarab really is a desert wonder. It costs around R4000 a night to stay here. I wouldn't mind a couple of nights here... Perfect relaxation with an amazing desert view.
Team photo at Qsar al Sarab
The pool
We were really keen to end the mtb stage right there and spend the afternoon in the pool. No such luck!
Sand biking - tough, tough, tough section. Hot and we were out of water, trying to get bottles from the passing event vehicles. On and off our bikes in the drifts. The finish was very welcome. (photo from event website).
The first thing we went for after crossing the line was our water. We easily gulped down a litre without taking a breath. Phew!
Sand-encrusted faces - Christo: even has sand caked on his eyelashes!
One of my favourite photos from the race - Francois So much sand and salt on his face!
Alex's post-biking face... See the sand plus sweat = mud on his forehead ;)
Me - so crusty! Not even baby wipes work for this stuff!
A bus of dirty, stinky, sandy and crusty racers on the way to Jebel Hafeet for the final camp and race stage. I felt sorry for the bus driver having to tolerate the reek!
The camp below Jebel Hafeet - on grass. We washed in the stream (yes, pumped water) and enjoyed a delicious dinner sitting in the bedouin tents. We were up at 3am to begin the final stage the next morning. Sleep, on the lush grassy surface, was good.
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