My Baja - A little story! :)

So, as you probably all know, I got the call last-minute and I said I’d sure as heng want to give this a go!  The hectic stuff started, MSA licences, all the other paperwork, lists of stuff, things missing that needed getting, double checks on gear, working at training both weekends so no time for any riding preparation, getting a new bike, trying to do some set-up, knowing I’m not fit enough for this, but if the sponsors, Mefo and Woema, are happy with my honesty and still want me, then I am going to do what I can.
Wednesday, Mark back from work, we load and debate, a few hours sleep or drive now. We left soon after that, there are two of us and while one is driving, the other can sleep. It is a long way, but with a bed made up in the back of the bakkie, we just covered the miles. That N14 is a LONG road.  Mark woke me in the early morning light so we could drive through the Riemvasmaak Concervancy together. It is beautiful.  Much oooooing and aaaghing went on.
Stopped for fuel in Springbok, had a Wimpy coffee and headed out again.  We arrived in Port Nolloth in the morning, jumped from the car and hit the beach! The AIR!  Clean and fresh with a tangle of seaweed and the ting-ting of the bouy bell! How rejuvenating and me, teary eyed as memories flooded me of sailing the west coast years ago.  
Anyway, under orders, we checking in, ascertained the best eating establishments (Important part of the weekend) and then proceeded to meet the locals and generally have a bit of fun!  The rest of the team arrived hours later. They had done the scenic route!
Maresol is the restaurant of choice.  Lulu, the waitress/mascot for our team certainly kept the pit crew entertained, starting now and continued for the duration of the weekend.
Right, so, sleep time and early up.
In our enthusiasm, we got to the Bivvy too early, they sent us away with orders to return in an hour. More beach time!   6 am and we drove into the bivouac.  The area for the pits is huge so we self-allocated ourselves a site and proceeded to create our pits. Then cruise the area and get to see everyone you know, meet new faces, and generally get into the mood. Our scruiteneering is at 11.30 so time to kill.  There are problems for some of the guys with bikes, some with gear, some for other things, but later all is arranged.  GPS is installed for the route later. Gear is double checked again. Smile is triple checked! All good to go.
4pm is the qualifying.  Everyone is collected and a mass ride is done to the salt pan! The crowd half circles the start line, the excitement is palpable.  Conversation in the line is great, meet more riders and pop a few calcium pills for the nerves. My name rings out, I line up and the hands drop for the start. How flippin’ awesome, the riders either side of me pull ahead a little, and I just know that this is what everything is about... I blast up the bank, close on their heels, manage to get a good right corner in at the ridge and plunge into the sand, opening up and careening ahead. One bike misses the turning, overrunning the route, I see other bikes in the scrub, trying to get back to the route, I’m all eyes ahead, chasing the other rider in my group, throwing the bike down the bank, and into the deep sand.  Race the bend, into the wet area and out to the finish line. Big shake up-front, ass as far back as I can get it to counter, and the line is crossed too soon! Wow! Such fun!
Join the back of the group, and see Mark running up with such a huge smile.  I did ok! 
Back to bivouac and bikes into parc-ferme and then time to un-kit. I’m all smiles.  Later the crew go through the bike, try to find the reason for the big head-shake, but it’s all a little too late now, is it me or the machine anyway?
We do the necessities, riders briefing and early to bed. Tomorrow will tell all!