Day 1 - Riders arrive

Saronsberg, Absa Cape Epic picnic

Saronsberg hosted a picnic under the oaks. Light jazz was played, Saronsberg wine was drunk and people had fun.

Band playing light jazz

Guests having fun

Saronsberg staff selling wine with a smile

Saronsberg is sponsoring a team. The members of the team are Werner Botha & Pieter Theron.

Saronsberg team

The cyclist arrive at the Saronsberg Race Village

In the afternoon the cyclists moved into the village, slowly at first. And so the activity increased, off loading of bikes and cleaning, massaging tired and sore legs, and moving into tents.

Offloading bikes

Cleaning bikes

Bike decorations

Prize winning

During dinner Nick van Huyssteen (owner of Saronsberg) handed out the prizes to the top three teams in each category, after the prologue. The winner each received a bottle of the new Saronsberg Cap Classique.

Media hard at work

After dinner as the riders are getting ready for bed, the journalists are busy downloading their copy or photos. The Media centre is in the art gallery at the tasting centre.

Setting up of the race village

The two man tents were set up to day (Friday, 25^th March).  The two man tents were setup by the learners of Waveren High School. They setup 1 900 tents. The catering marquees and the Absa marquee were setup earlier in the week.

View of the Race Village today

The Race Village operates independently. Electricity is brought in via generators. Telecoms are brought via towers, Telkom base station, satellite for TV broadcasts, and MTN cell booster.

Even the showers are brought in on trucks. Pictured below are 28 showers and a second truck will arrive on Sunday afternoon.

More photos are available on Flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/norman_collins)

Support the Saronsberg leg of the Absa Cape Epic

SARONSBERG welcomes ABSA CAPE EPIC 2011

Join us this Sunday 27^th March for Live Entertainment at SARONSBERG WINE CELLAR 11h00 -17hoo

Where….Saronsberg Wine Cellar

Bring the whole family for a day of fun, enjoy award winning wines from SARONSBERG, great food from READERS RESTAURANT, jumping castle for the kids and live entertainment from 11hoo – 17hoo.

Chill under the trees on your picnic blankets and be part of the 1^st ABSA CAPE EPIC hosted by SARONSBERG/TULBAGH

Free parking opposite SARONSBERG entrance

Free entry ABSA CAPE EPIC 2011.

Monday 28th and Tuesday 29^th March 2011

07hoo  Starting Gun ABSA CAPE EPIC 2011

08h00 -17h00   SARONSBERG WINE CELLAR hosting ABSA CAPE EPIC 2011

Be part of an occasion to be noted in Tulbagh History

Food catered by Readers Restaurant

Award winning wines from Saronsberg

Cellar Tours

Jumping Castle for the kids

Bring your picnic blankets, chairs and be part of the ABSA CAPE EPIC 2011

Free parking opposite SARONSBERG entrance

Free entry ABSA CAPE EPIC 2011

The Absa Cape Epic is coming to Tulbagh

On Sunday 27^th March 1200 mountain bike cyclist will be visiting Tulbagh as one of the legs of the Absa Cape Epic.

This is the toughest off road race. Over 8 days they cover 707 kilometres and climb 14 335 meters.

I will be photographing the race and events happing around the race.

I will keep you up to date with the race.