COVID19 Compliant - Intermediate Desert Drive - Area 53 (West) - Dubai - 24 Jul 2020

[Kalahari]

Thanks for planning and leading this drive @Emmanuel - what an opportunity to visit a rather unexplored part of the desert. While the sand was extremely unforgiving, I was glad that you navigated an alternative route for us to reach the top of one of the larger dune formations - the view was fantastic!! Again a lot of learning opportunity for me - thanks to @Colin Jordan,  @Brette and @Xaf for handling the recoveries (despite the hunger 😀). 

[Emmanuel]

@Kalahari oh yes you’re right, these sets of dunes are stunning - and almost untouched, which is rare around Dubai. 
 

[Michael sammy]

Thank you @Emmanuel for your efforts and support to everyone in the convoy with different level backgrounds, its not an easy task when we think about it to advise and guide other drivers while you driving and while you trying to enjoy your self. Thank you for the advice. I appreciate every advice, comment and guidance this is how we support each other and this how we learn and improve.

 

The reason I increased the RPM was that the car started to move out but i miscalculated the moment. I should have been more patient but as you said i wanted to earn time.

Everyone did very well and it was amazing seeing some of the drivers i knew from previous drives improved and developed thier driving techniques in very short time.

Its a good practice to lesson to more experienced people to learn and get mentored no shame to ask for help or support without this practice it will take us very long time to learn every step the hard way. 

I saw passion, enthusiasm and respect in our Friday drive from all members. Thanks to @Kalahari being an amazing second lead and for sharing the extra wooden board it was needed and tested unfortunately but indeed it came in perfect fit with my 2 tons jack.

Thank you @Xaf you handled convoy from the Middle with @Emmanuel with constant updates and communication through the walkie talkie conveying the exact situation of the convoy from the first to the last minute of the drive and I completely understood your situation when you wanted to help, my self and @Tbone we just saw your enthusiasm to help we didn't feel bad at the end of the day we all wanted the same thing. But the decision between me and @Tbone was based on my car weight versus his car weight and power and i was trying to avoid him getting stuck with me. But you had it all under control it was a perfect recovery smooth and easy. 

@Brette it was a real pleasure seeing you handling each situation with none stop support to each one needed it.

@Febin Frederic @Rinelle Sanaani @Najeeb Mohammed well done what an amazing 👏 start in the intermediate level it will get more exciting and more serious action will follow be patient and becareful. 

@Colin Jordan @Tbone was a pleasure driving with you second time in a row great support and help to the team. 

I would like to quote @Xaf when he mentioned:
" In general to all drivers, try to think as a group. If the convoy is not moving in front of you and the cars are coming from behind, try to imagine if there will be enough space for them. If space is available, move yourself, if not, please announce it on the radio so they will wait until the convoy is moving again. In these high dunes we often have no vision what is happening in front of us. "

As of my position at the end of the convoy i felt and I wanted to address the same point as it is very important, the more we reach higher levels the more we learn to be more connected as one team imagine each one of us is a piece of a chain, if one of us got in a refusal situation or got stuck we all have to deal with the situation and stop the convoy. Hence if we think more about the cars behind us in the convoy specially once we drive through a tricky dune or difficult route we have to keep in mind that other members might not be able to have enough space to maneuver the situation that could lead to one of two options either the other driver will get stuck or might hit the last car as he/she doesn't have enough space to maneuver which we all don't want to experience in the Middle of the desert specially in the hot summer. 

Once again thank you all, I hope i didn't forget to mention anyone from our Friday drive, i am looking forward to seeing you all soon in the sand.