Morning Intermediate Desert Drive - Sweihan - Abu Dhabi - 29 Jun 2024

[JeromeFJ]

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:  Intermediate and above
When: 29 June 2024, Saturday
Meeting time:  6:00 AM - Sharp
Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Ggs62b9yGEzyZi26
Approximate finish time: 10:00 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

 

[JeromeFJ]

I'm proposing this drive from my usual starting point in Sweihan. We can decide during the week if we want to go the Nagrah - Nahel route or in the direction of Old Lady - Al Ain Airport. Open to suggestions.

You know it will be hot, so please join only if you know your car can handle the heat, thank you.

[JeromeFJ]

Good morning @Alexanderrr @Rk ram @Julien Recan @Cristian @Mark B

Thank you for signing up for tomorrow's drive.

Please use the day to ensure your car is in good condition for tomorrow, remove unnecessary items from the back seats and trunk area, and secure your offroad gear properly with ratchet straps.

I will indicate the convoy order by the end of the afternoon, please let me know before that if your have changed your plans, thank you !

 

[JeromeFJ]

Dear Desert Drivers 

@Alexanderrr @Rk ram @Julien Recan @Cristian @Mark B

Last updates for tomorrow

Meeting at 06:00 am at https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Ggs62b9yGEzyZi26

The convoy order will be 

We will use Carnity Radio Channel 5

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

[JeromeFJ]

Dear Desert Drivers, thank you for joining the drive today.

When I reached the meeting point at 5:35 the dust of @DP1011 Deepack's convoy had already settled. At 6:00 we started the briefing while the last participant just arrived (he knows). and 10 min later we were on the go. It was already hot and humid, and it was going to be only worse during the drive. 

After a warm-up in the tall dunes of Sweihan, we continued in the direction of Nagrah, from one ridge to the other. Surprisingly a lot of convoys were around but we managed to keep the pace and move together. The tall dune on the way was apparently on the road map of each of the convoys. After a quick stop on the top to enjoy the view we continued to reach Nagrah itself. A tall climb with a switch on the ridge and a combination of 2 bowls was the adrenaline shot of the day. Smoothly done by the Jeep squad, while the X-terra was unfortunately not in the mood to climb.

Another climb with a with a high crossing, and we continued in the open dunes. crossed a sabkha and a strange rock formation on the sand, and reached the next dunes cordon, where the Ghafeteen bowl is hidden. It was actually quite well hidden, with the usual access/ exit points being barred with steep slip faces. The bowl itself was not in the best conditions, with hidden pockets and very soft slopes. Once exited, the remaining portion was slightly technical, and I could see with refusals and stucks that we were all getting tired, from the difficult conditions of the day, time to reach the exit !

Well done all of you @Alexanderrr, perfect 2nd lead enjoying his new ride, @Rk ram @Julien Recan @Cristian for their first IM drive, and @Mark B, excellent support (thanks for pulling me and ram) and sweep.

[Mark B]

Thanks Jerome, really enjoyable drive on my first IM drive in a while.
Everyone drove fantastically! Real nice mix of terrain and the pace was great. 
First drive I’ve done 100% manual too which added a little fun for me, but the paddles make it easier 😬 

look forward to driving with you all again soon 

[Cristian]

Thanks @JeromeFJ of your usual coaching throughout the ride, and the rest of the team for the mutual support.

Some shots from today, see you next time.

[Rk ram]

Thank you @JeromeFJ for the lovely and exciting drive.. appologies for the late arrival .. had to refuel at the last station.. 2nd time..

 thank you @Mark B @JeromeFJ@Alexanderrrfor pulling me out in a stuck situation. usuall my car does excellent in climbs but this time had some issues.. have to sort them out before i make it to my next IM drve..

it was indeed very exceptional landscape and the weather was a task added to it but the lead @JeromeFJ made it quiet achievable and enjoyable drive... as expected.....

even though i had some issues to climb some of the dunes.... you had lot of patience and accomodated the situation ..... thanks again...

@Julien Recan @Cristian great to see you guys in the convoy....

looking forward for more fun and learning .....

 

 

 

 

[Julien Recan]

A great start of the week with the big dunes of Nahel. Thanks @JeromeFJ and @Mark B for sweep. 
 

An awesome first IM drive on my favorite playground 😁

 

15 hours ago, Mark B said:

Thanks Jerome, really enjoyable drive on my first IM drive in a while.
Everyone drove fantastically! Real nice mix of terrain and the pace was great. 
First drive I’ve done 100% manual too which added a little fun for me, but the paddles make it easier 😬 

look forward to driving with you all again soon 

@Mark B how do you like the paddles for dune driving ? Had them on my 911 and loved them.

How did you get them installed ? Did you change the whole wheel drive ?

 

 

Edited June 30, 2024 by Julien Recan

[Mark B]

2 minutes ago, Julien Recan said:

A great start of the week with the big dunes of Nahel. Thanks @JeromeFJ and @Mark B for sweep. 
 

An awesome first IM drive on my favorite playground 😁

You had a great drive, your control has advanced so much over the last few months mate! Great to see you enjoying the IM drive! 
 

im sure you took some good pics too but they didn’t load 🤣 

 

thanks mate and see you out there soon