Morning Newbie Desert Drive - Back to School, Midterm Exam: Sweihan to Nahil - Abu Dhabi - 2 Feb 2025

[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:  NEWBIE MINIMUM 5 PREVIOUS DRIVES and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  08:00 AM 

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SshRuUB1aFeinMtr7

Action Plan: This "Back to School" drive is designed to allow Newbie members with 5 or more drives who are seeking promotion to Fewbie level to have their skills tested and/or improved, before they feel comfortable enough to move up.

The drive will be divided in 4 parts of 45 minutes each: 1) driving at faster speed than an average NB drive (speed is one of the variables that increases as one moves up); 2) testing side-sloping skills, and safe exit strategies in case of loss of momentum; 3) ridge riding and straight or criss-crossing skills, with safe approaches and safe exits; 4) the sum of all the previous 3 segments, for a final smooth and fast convoy drive. Make sure you will come well rested and fully concentrated to endure (but most of all enjoy)  this 4 hour mid-term exam.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face masks, 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 

 

[Alex M]

@Ale Vallecchi hi Ale - just noticed its 5 drives + and I've only got 4 at the moment, plus I won't be able to make this timing anymore as I have some commitments at 12pm so I will withdraw my RSVP for this drive. 

[Ale Vallecchi]

Hi @Alex M, thanks for informing, but I would have taken you in anyway, as I believe you have also done a Masterclass with Gaurav. Please let me know if you may still join. We should manage to be out by 12 noon. Thanks a lot.

[Steve Farmer]

@Ale Vallecchi sorry for the late notice, unfortunately an unexpected commitment has come up for me on Sunday morning so I can no longer join this drive. I was looking forward to this one too, as I am keen to demonstrate I’m ready for promotion. Hopefully there will be another one like this coming up again soon.

hope you all have a great drive!

 

[ArSaLaN]

Sorry guys, have to step back from this one, have to report to work on late Sunday.

Have a great time in Sweihan all ❤️ 

[Sandeep Padhi]

Looking forward to receiving the meeting point details if its already decided

[Giacomo]

Hi @Ale Vallecchi, it’s still possible to join you?

[Ale Vallecchi]

7 minutes ago, Giacomo said:

Hi @Ale Vallecchi, it’s still possible to join you?

Sure @Giacomo. No problem. See you tomorrow. Thanks

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear Desertnauts,

here's the briefing for tomorrow's drive.

The meeting and deflation point is the following: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SshRuUB1aFeinMtr7

You may refuel at Sweihan's ADNOC station 960 (https://g.co/kgs/pMQ25ZN). Then head to the meeting point above, where you can start deflating upon arriving (make sure the tires are deflated to the proper pressure for soft sand, as in recent drives we have had to further lower the pressure of a few drivers' tires). 

As mentioned, the drive will be focused on covering all the necessary skills that need to be gained to drive at Fewbie level. Considering that many of the drive's participants are already Fewbie and above, I'll do my best to provide even more information and tips that can be useful to improve their own skills and get better at supporting and recovering. 

The convoy order will actually reflect this intention, of giving higher ranked members the possibility of further improving their supporting skills, as every lower ranked driver will be following the tracks of a higher ranked member, which will take on the responsibility of assisting in whatever issue the lower ranked member may encounter:

@Misha Puskar in Second Lead

@J-P L at #3

@vinayak n at #4

@Glenn W in the Center

@Hashem Rihan at @6

@Sandeep Padhi at #7

@Giacomo at #8 and

@Deepak Eswar in Sweep (a position that will be switched along the drive with Giacomo).

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow, with the goal of leaving as close to 8:0AM as possible.

[Glenn W]

Hi @Ale Vallecchi unfortunately I won’t be able to make it tomorrow due to a work emergency 😕 … apologies and have a great drive