Morning Fewbie Plus Desert Drive - Sweihan West - Abu Dhabi - 04 May 2024

[JeromeFJ]

DRIVE DESCRIPTION

From  the outskirts of Sweihan on the E16, drive West along the dune cordons, pass the Tilal area, cross the sabkha to the South, and continue West on the high dunes, try to find the Sweihan Pond, continue on the white sands of Fayah and exit on the E75 side.

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 Plus and above
When: 04 May 2024, Saturday
Meeting time:  6:30 AM - Sharp
Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJFZW3efvbMw73629
Approximate finish time: 10:30 AM
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, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

RECOMENDED 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

 

[Mark B]

Hi Jerome, happy to support if needed 

Mark 

[JeromeFJ]

Good morning all

Getting prepared for tomorrow's drive

@Mohit Gurnani @Shaun J @Stan @Julien Recan @msa @Robk @Rk ram @Deepak Eswar @Frans M @Cristian @Ishak @Mark B

You are confirmed. Please let me know in case you changed your plans. As we have still 2 wait list members a no show would be very disappointing. 

@Zulfikhar Naiyar @Mahmut, you are still on the wait list for now, let's see during the day how it goes.

The itinerary for tomorrow may be a bit long (80 to 85 km), be sure your car is ready, and refuel not too far from the meeting point to avoid stress at the end of the drive. (the next petrol station is about 20 km after the exit point).

I will issue final attendance and convoy order by the end of the afternoon

 

[Robk]

@JeromeFJ Hi Jerome, unfortunately I can no longer make the drive. Dropping out now. Be safe everyone and enjoy!.

[JeromeFJ]

2 hours ago, Robk said:

@JeromeFJ Hi Jerome, unfortunately I can no longer make the drive. Dropping out now. Be safe everyone and enjoy!.

Sorry to miss you, see you next time. Thank you for advising early.

[Frans M]

Hi @JeromeFJ I have an urgent work to handle tomorrow. I have to drop out from this drive to give opportunity for the wait listed. Thank you. Hopefully can join your drive next week. 

[Zulfikhar Naiyar]

Hi @JeromeFJ,

Have a space to accommodate? Would love to join. 
Thanks. 

[JeromeFJ]

Noted @Frans M, see you next time

@Zulfikhar Naiyar, I have added you

[JeromeFJ]

Dear Desert Drivers, 

@Mohit Gurnani @Shaun J @Stan @Mahmut @Julien Recan @msa @Mark B @Rk ram @Deepak Eswar @Cristian @Ishak @Zulfikhar Naiyar

Last update for tomorrow

Meeting at 6:30 am at https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJFZW3efvbMw73629

The convoy order will be 

We will use Carnity Radio Channel 5.

Enjoy the evening, take a good rest and, and see you tomorrow morning!

[JeromeFJ]

Thank you all for joining the drive today. The sand was still very compact from the rain in the previous days, so the conditions were generally favourable for the climbs and the ridge riding. the drawback was that the dunes were becoming slippery after a few cars, making the track a bit more difficult for the back of the convoy.

The first portion offered high dunes with long ridges, perfect terrain to practice ridge riding, sometimes a bit impressive with the deep void on one side or the other. Concentration and precise steering were key, as a wrong line was immediately inducing fishtailing. Crossing the sabkha, we climbed that massive dune, with a succession of small bowls, step by step until the top. Everyone was focused, getting the required momentum for the next climb, and the 12 cars reached without refusal, a nice performance! The rest of the drive was a long run going West, crossing a large portion of desert staying high on the dunes as much as possible to avoid the bushes. with open dunes and white sands, until we reached the exit on the E75.

No stuck, a few refusals, great driving for all of you, including the 1st FB+ drive for @Stan and @Mahmut. Still we could see a lot of fishtailing and uncontrolled ridge riding. We have discussed this on the sand, so you where to improve. It will come with practice. 

Thank you @Mohit Gurnani for the SL, correcting my lines, @Mark B for anchoring the convoy from the middle, and @Zulfikhar Naiyar for watching the back, @Shaun J  @Stan @Mahmut @Julien Recan @Rk ram @Deepak Eswar @Cristian @Ishak thank you for excellent spirit and participation. 

We can program the same drive at the end of June, to add heat and soft sand for a more complete desert experience !