Morning Fewbie Desert Drive - South of Africa: Final Round - Abu Dhabi - 11 Apr 2024

[Ale Vallecchi]

We request every member that joins this drive to go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette and responsibilities.

MUST READ AND COMPLY

• Environmental Policy
• Offroad Flag Guideline
• Two Way Radio Guideline
• Off road Driving Etiquettes
• Emergency details for all off roaders
• Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities

Drive Details

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  8:30 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HA6PD3e9oK3ue8ff6

Action Plan: One last drive in one of the more pristine parts of Sweihan's desert. We'll explore another large cordon of dunes just to the right of the road leading to Al Ain, north to a big farm vaguely resembling the shape of Africa, also known as .... "Africa". As in our previous drives in this area, we'll move through more unspoiled surroundings that offer just as much variety of dunes, bowls, and scenery as the more driven Sweihan's section. We may loop back to our starting point, or try to cross all the way to the Tilal area.  

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 12:30 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor (MANDATORY)
• Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY)
• Off-road flag (MANDATORY)
• Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 12 PM.
• If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list.
• RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list.
• Latecomers will be returned - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned - Without any exceptions.
• Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others.
• Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month.

PLEASE RSVP ON THE CALENDAR 

 

 

[Marek]

for people with cute little fuel tanks ... adnoc at Sweihan seems to be the last refuel place, or are there any other stations on the E16 that are not listed on maps?

Edited April 10 by Marek

[Rafey Hashmi]

Hey @Ale Vallecchi

Got something come up last min, dropping out, have fun!

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear Desertnauts

Eid Mubarak to all of you.

Let's prepare for tomorrow's trip. We hope to start as close to 8:30 as possible, so please try to reach the meeting point a few minutes before the meeting time. Fuel can be purchased at Sweihan's ADNOC gas station.

The plan is to drive westward along the third cordon of dunes visible from Sweihan along the Al Ain Road. It's a quite lengthy cordon of dunes, at the end of which we may loop back, or more likely, given my propensity for long range drives, we may cut across a couple of sabkhas and farm areas (fences permitting0, to reach the Sweihan's Pond, and from there return to the town itself across the Tilal area.

The convoy order looks as follows (with higher ranked members "planted" every couple of Fewbies, to better tutor them:

@Emanuel in Second Lead

@Andrew John Melvill at #3

@ZakWarah at #4

@Marek at #5

@Misha Puskar at #6

@Sandeep Nayar at #7

@Rob S at #8

@Mahmut at #9

@Hani Howeedy at #10

@Mark B and @munkybizness will alternate in Sweep.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning. Enjoy your Eid feast.

[Sreenath G]

Hello @Ale Vallecchi. I have signed up for the drive. Please include me in the convoy. Tx. 

 

[Misha Puskar]

hi @Ale Vallecchi where do you recon we will finish? asking as I have to be home by 1:30 latest (have a 6 week old at home) so if we will finish at the same spot we start at, I will sadly have to withdraw (didnt realize the distance is 140 km from my place). Thanks! m 

[Ale Vallecchi]

1 minute ago, Misha Puskar said:

hi @Ale Vallecchi where do you recon we will finish? asking as I have to be home by 1:30 latest (have a 6 week old at home) so if we will finish at the same spot we start at, I will sadly have to withdraw (didnt realize the distance is 140 km from my place). Thanks! m 

Hello @Misha Puskar. We should finish around 12 noon. There are several exit points we can take all along either the Sweihan-Al Ain Road (E16) or the AD-Sweihan Road (E20), but surely make your own calculation as far as how much time you'll need to drive back. Fell free to decide as you feel more appropriate. Thanks a lot

12 minutes ago, Sreenath G said:

Hello @Ale Vallecchi. I have signed up for the drive. Please include me in the convoy. Tx. 

 

Hi @Sreenath G. sure I will add you to the convoy list. See you toimorrow.

[Misha Puskar]

1 hour ago, Ale Vallecchi said:

Hello @Misha Puskar. We should finish around 12 noon. There are several exit points we can take all along either the Sweihan-Al Ain Road (E16) or the AD-Sweihan Road (E20), but surely make your own calculation as far as how much time you'll need to drive back. Fell free to decide as you feel more appropriate. Thanks a lot

Hi @Sreenath G. sure I will add you to the convoy list. See you toimorrow.

thanks! okay then I think am gonna withdraw  hope to join next time when its closer to dubai

[Mark B]

Ali! I’m sorry I have to drop out! I assumed this drive was Saturday! Didn’t even check the date 🤦🏻‍♂️ what an idiot appologies for that 

[Ale Vallecchi]

50 minutes ago, Mark B said:

Ali! I’m sorry I have to drop out! I assumed this drive was Saturday! Didn’t even check the date 🤦🏻‍♂️ what an idiot appologies for that 

No worries @Mark B. See you another time.