Absolute Newbie Desert Drive - Al Qudra - Dubai - 23 Jan 2022

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear soon to be Desertnaut

@Aghabi, @fayazc, @Salvador Perez, @Sreenath Giridharan, @Ravi Kumar, @Harshal, @Yerem Davtyan, @Riyas Mohammed, @Followthehippo and @JDub

- Welcome to Carnity!

As you are aware of, this is a drive strictly for who has never been off road with Carnity. In preparation for it, it is important that you inform us if:

• you have any prior off-road experience (some of you have already answered);
• your vehicle has front and rear tow hooks / eyelets (as above);
• if your car has the required ground clearance of min. 8 inches (21 cm) between the ground and its bumpers/undercar.

Before joining the drive on Sunday morning, you will need to have viewed the introductory videos (links above). Please also make sure you are equipped with a tire deflator and a tire pressure gauge (sometimes they are all in one tool). You will need these. If you have an off-road flag as well that would he great. In case you do not have a flag mount on your car, you may look for a flag with suction cups, which can be easily placed on one of the rear windows. Even if the drive should end near a gas station, where they have an air compressor, if you have your own please bring it along, as it may be quicker than waiting in line. So, to recap, useful tools to carry would be:

• tire deflator (must)
• tire pressure gauge (must)
• radio (recommended)
• off-road flag (recommended)
• air compressor

All these items should be available at any ACE or Speedex store, as well as at Dragon Mart (at this latter location you can find especially the radios, where I advise you ask to set on manual inputs - you can memorize the channels later, as Carnity uses channels which are different from the ones that are usually memorized at Dragon Mart's outlets). 

Regarding the area of the drive, we will access the desert from an entry point along the Saih al Salam Road, going from Qudra Parking (where you can use the ADNOC gas station to fill up your tank), toward the Bab al Shams Resort. Follow carefully the Google Maps directions: once you turn off the tarmac road (after circling a roundabout next to a mosque), you will cross through the bike track. Myself and @Kailas will be waiting for you just to the right, past the bike track. We'll likely have to drive around a very big water puddle, left by the recent rains, to access our final entry point.

Once arrived at the meeting point, we'll conduct a final inspection of your cars (sufficient clearance and accessible tow points are a must, without which you'll be turned back). Following a detailed technical briefing, we'll be ready to enter the dunes, and start your off-roading adventure. This area is rarely used by other clubs, and the sand is much cleaner ad smoother, so this is an ideal ground to move your first steps in the desert.

Any new member who's planning to join this introductory drive, please contact me on this thread for any preparatory question. In the meantime have a great rest of the week.

[Followthehippo]

Can't wait! I do have a little experience, including an absolute newbie drive with you guys over a year ago 

Edited January 20, 2022 by Followthehippo

[Yerem Davtyan]

Looking forward to Sunday, guys! See you all there!

[Daniel Rodas]

11 minutes ago, Yerem Davtyan said:

Looking forward to Sunday, guys! See you all there!

Enjoy buddy!

[Riyas Mohammed]

Just attended a training last week with carnity.

[JDub]

@Ale Vallecchiwill you be sharing the radio frequency ahead of time?

[Salvador Perez]

@Ale Vallecchi i did a couple of off-roading with Carnity last year but need a refresher…looking forward to it!

[Harshal]

Hi,

I am excited to meet you all on Sunday. 

I confirm that the car has the tow hooks and the necessary ground clearances. We have a deflator tool and a good quality compressor.  

Will be installing flag tomorrow and will purchase radio today. 

I have driven in sand few times but first with Carnity. 

See u!

[Issaa]

HI @Ale Vallecchi- Deflate on arrival or after brief ?

[Followthehippo]

I am really sorry, I won't be able to make it  i will have to join you guys on another drive next weekend