COVID19 Compliant - Morning Newbie Desert Drive - Fossil Rock - Sharjah - 19 Mar 2021

[Humayun Ghias]

 @Rawad Bahsas for me I felt the traction control would disengage after moving back to 4-high.

I've felt that ABS kicks in sometimes, have you experienced that?

[Rawad]

14 minutes ago, Humayun Ghias said:

 @Rawad Bahsas for me I felt the traction control would disengage after moving back to 4-high.

I've felt that ABS kicks in sometimes, have you experienced that?

I just had to push the traction control button every time we were back to 4-high

[Islam Soliman]

@Humayun Ghias @Rawad Bahsas out of my personal experience I would kill all before as we deflate (traction control, ABS, airbags,..). It cave be done through a kill switch or easier by unplugging the relevant fuses. Consultation with the expert car technician is a must for the safest and convenient way based on own car. Traction control and ABS plays with the maneuverability and control of the car while offroading.. I prefer to have full manual control without any tech sophisticated assistance. Airbags is of course a very important safety feature, however sometimes the sensors are fouled by the car behavior on the sand and deploy as the car “mistakenly” thinks it’s rolling or involved in an accident.

It’s all part of knowing own car better and decide what is best setup for going on the sand

[Humayun Ghias]

Thank you @Islam SolimanI need to figure out how to disengage ABS and airbags, I will look into the kill switch option you are suggesting. 

[Roger K]

Thanks to @Rahimdad, @Ahmed Wagdy, @Islam Soliman, and @Jasim Khumi for a beautiful drive today.  This is my 4th newbie drive and I have got to see 4 different parts of the UAE deserts and experienced many different types of desert driving.  The views from Fossil Rock were amazing.  Thank you for leading us up there.  Much appreciated!

[Rahimdad]

TRIP REPORT

I'm humbled by all so many lovely comments even before I can post my trip report. Lovely morning ot was full of enthusiasm. As I rolled in with over 10 minutes to go, everybody had arrived ahead of me and were inflating and getting their flags up. So we had our convoy numbering revisited, got the radios checked and briefing delivered. We watched @sertac convoy move and dissappear quickly in front of our eyes. Today our challenge was not only the dunes but the many convoys we came across throughout our trip.

As promised we started slow and easy to get everyone into the drive. This is also a sign for the Marshals to pick signs of strengths and weaknesses of the convoy. I was blessed to have a strong convoy as we could not have done all that we did if my convoy did not support me or share my vision. Turn up the difficulty level we did as much as we enjoyed the sideys in our play areas. Again our challenges included evading other convoys. We enjoyed a round each doing sideys on all 3 areas before they were invaded by other convoys and we left for our next challenge leaving the areas to other convoys.

Crossing over the power lines to the other side our challenge was to climb the Fossil Rock. It's been 3 weeks I have been enjoying smooth sand on top, and 3 weeks been taking my convoys down in 4 Low and 1sr gear. But before we could head down, I was surprised to see @Ashy on top with the rear tire popped out from the inside. @Islam Soliman helped me out. We tried to pop the tire back in unsuccessfully, with no choice we has to remove the tire to notice the rim had bent from 2 places. We replaced it with the spare and were on our merry way.

As we decided to up the challenge even further as we headed towards Faya via Camel Rocks. The challenges today were quadrupled just with so many convoys parked on the tracks where I had to detour for our convoy to follow me with dignity. Sure we had our share of refusals, but correct me @Ahmed Wagdy if I'm wrong, never saw a rope come out during the drive. The sense of pride as refusals turned in to a sense of a challenge to learn something new and put the teachings to practice.

After we had overcome all challenges we were further pushed by more convoys on top of Faya. Undeterred one by one we had our cars screaming to the back of Faya. This is never easy even from the back side and moreover with a Newbie convoy with so many other convoys being unruly as they traversed up and down around the area. At this point I would like to add that I'm proud my convoy was intelligent and determined. Why do I say that? Easily because they knew when to stop, and when to find a safe window to come up. As we gathered another challenge was to cross a convoy stopped with people roaming outside their vehicles. Very much opposite of our convoy which abides by the Covid19 restrictions. All said the amazing sight was seeing a convoy of 12 Newbies on top of Faya. Only the second time I can say that. Take a bow as everybody applauds us. We headed down and took our chances to climb Faya by choice unlike Fosdil Rock which was a must. As the sun got hotter and more unbearable we headed our to inflate. This was not the end, but just a start to a wonderful weekend as we enjoyed learning and polishing our skills off-road with like minded people.

It was @Jasim Khumi second time as my second lead. I was proud to hear from him how he is learning keeping a dynamic distance from me to cope with the instructions given by me over the radio. @Lakshmi Narasimhan with his beautiful Pajero which roared into the sands and just kept up with the convoy without breaking a single sweat. It was wonderful watching him handle his Pajero so well. Being back heavy we get to see some fishtailing, although handled well, still needs some polishing to avoid fishtailing as much as possible.

The one name which echoed over the drive was @Roger K. With an LR3 which makes me skip a beat and as humble as he is, his real character would come out of the shadows as he pushed his LR3 and his vehicle obeyed his every command. Wonderful personality to be with and very high regards for @Roger K and his trusted LR3. 

@prajupramod seems to be a fan as it was not his first time out with me. Watching him grow and polish his skills week after week is so satisfying. As experienced individuals we can share our knowledge as per our experiences, but to see people following our instructions a path is very heartening. @Rawad Bahsas yet another fan who just puts a huge smile on my face. He pushes his beast to the limits and its always a pleasure to hear it grunt with all its might. Its wonderful to watch him develop and learn. Today he even excited me by collecting air miles as 2 of his wheels were off the ground. It is a wonder how you can get a 3 tonne vehicle to fly, but those interested can get in touch with @Rawad Bahsas to learn from the best.

@Islam Soliman was my trusted center forward and such an assurance to have on my second drive in a row. Watching him drive a Yukon is such a pleasure and I can't wait for the day when I would be able to repay his favors to me. @Humayun Ghias sincere interest in the sport is evident as at this level he has already invested in a rope set. I was pretty impressed how he managed his vehicle and its very heartening to see.   @WaYan from Mauritius, maybe its the accent which gets me. But who says a girl just needs to look pretty. She turned out to be just as tough as the yellow Jeep Wrangler she drives. I later realized her challenge was higher due to her heavy tires. But that is only came to my notice right towards the end. Her brave effort throughout the drive of not showing any weaknesses throughout. Bravo girl, you go, girl power.

  @I.M.Shousha إسلام أبوشوشة my second Islam for they day. Having done a Master Class with him I already have trust in him and his ability. I must acknowledge his confidence and good usage of all his learnings. I would recommend you to apply for your fewbie promotion. Time for you to grow further in the sport and pick up some new tricks. @luis mantecon although quiet, but that might be his lack to express himself in English. His eyes spoke more clearly to me as all he could express in words was he loved the drive. Well done buddy, I hear you, keeping rocking up and we love your positive energy you bring to the drives.

@Ahmed Wagdy might be the last as he was my sweep, but just as important to the convoy as any one of us. I was pleasantly surprised to see a newbie step up and deliver what was required from him in sweep. His powerful FJ also had some air miles with all 4 tires in air. I wish I had my camera on to capture the moment, it looked very controlled and with any damages and that's what matters most.

We all came with a smile in the morning and driving out after inflation with a wider smile. This drive was a testament as @Carnity not only growing big in numbers but in quality as we are blessed to have such amazing people sharing our ideas and growing within a structure which is fair to all.

[Roger K]

@Rahimdad is so gracious and good with words.  As he recapped above, I could see the images of the day perfectly in my mind.  You are a true steward of the sport, sir!🙂

[luis mantecon]

Hahaha !! I am quiet in English and in Spanish, I didn’t realize @Rahimdad you expected a deeper feedback. Anyways you are right, it was great!! Thank you for a wonderful drive full of challenges, learning and fun. Thank you also to @Ahmed Wagdy @Islam Soliman and @Jasim Khumi they were fantastic, making all feel fully safe and supported. 

[Humayun Ghias]

I also saw a drone on our drive, would be amazing to see the footage! 

[WaYan]

Superman helped me  😂

Thank you @Rahimdad @Ahmed Wagdy & @Islam Soliman for your patience and help..