Morning Newbie Desert Drive - Sand to Mountain: Farm Tracks, Savannahs and Rock Trails - RAK- 11 May 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 and above (all levels) - NO Absolute Newbies

Meeting time:  08:00 am (departure time)

Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/e18GjMid1txLPXyS6

Action Plan:  A relaxing drive to explore a variety of terrains, with red sands gently transforming into savannah like openings, and eventually reaching the foothills of the Adjar Mountains. Planned mostly along farm trails, with occasional climbs to cut across longer longitudinal dunes, before crossing the tarmac near Al Ghayl, and starting our climb toward Masafi. An intriguing farming and grazing landscape, with a huge variety of plant and animal life.

Once we'll reach Masafi we can stay and enjoy tea, coffee or lunch at a local eatery, in front of a typical local market.

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

 

[AHSANAWAN 123]

Location 

[Ale Vallecchi]

On 5/6/2025 at 1:43 PM, AHSANAWAN 123 said:

Location 

Hello @AHSANAWAN 123. Will post by saturday, with the drive's briefing. It would be past Al Dhaid, close to RAK itself. 

@Mike M. As you are part of the Support Team I can add you as such. Please let me know. Thanks 

[Mike M.]

Hi @Ale Vallecchi, please do. Thanks in advance

Edited May 8, 2025 by Mike M.

[Ana]

Hi @Ale Vallecchi would it be possible to add me to this drive ? Would love to join. 
Many thanks 

Ana 

[Ale Vallecchi]

9 hours ago, Ana said:

Hi @Ale Vallecchi would it be possible to add me to this drive ? Would love to join. 
Many thanks 

Ana 

Hi @Ana. You are signed up for the drive. See you tomorrow.

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear Desrtnauts.

Tomorrow's drive will be a relaxing drive through the northern Emirates countryside. The most likely element of difficulty may come from the duration of the drive, which plans to cover around 80 Km. We'll follow locals' sand tracks, especially at the beginning of the drive, limiting our time to actually undriven sand, as I am expecting a lot of vegetation to make this venturing away from tracks somewhat complex. We'll eventually reach an area characterized by beautiful longitudinal dunes (we'll talk about them once on the spot), alternated by beautiful sabkhas, with an amazing savannah-like vegetation. Finally, once out of the sandy area, before reaching the boundary between red sands and black mountains, we'll re-inflate and start the dirt and rock tracks all the way to Masafi.

The convoy order will be a mix of experienced drivers leading each Newbie, with the Support Team members equally spread throughout the drivers:

@J-P L in Second Lead

@Emanuel at #3

@AHSANAWAN 123 at #4

@Steve Farmer at #5

@Danie at #6

@JC_E at #7

@Aser at #8

@Ana at #9

@Nathan at #10

@khurram at #11

@Mike M. at #12

@Abhilash Kottakkal at #13

@Kirill K at #14

@Sandeep N at #15 and 

@Andrew John Melvill in Sweep.

Find the meeting and deflation point on the drive's posts. Please reach early enough to be able to leave as close to 8:00 AM as possible. See you all tomorrow.

[Andrew John Melvill]

Another lovely @Ale Vallecchi classic today. 88 km of mixed conditions. Started with some sand tracks, with a few soft patches and climbs for good measure. Then an extended ridge riding lesson on some great parrallel dunes. A number of refusals and stucks kept @Emanuel, @Aser and @Mike M. busy while i chilled at the back enjoying the well flattened ridges. A bit of criss crossing farming and urban areas got us to some stunning mountain tracks on the way to Masafi for a well deserved lunch. Well driven by all! Enjoy the week ahead. 

[Andrew John Melvill]

With all the talk about african animals today I thought this clip was relevant

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJWvljKs6Mr/?igsh=MWQ5bGNmbmRwNGF1OA==

[Aser]

3 hours ago, Andrew John Melvill said:

With all the talk about african animals today I thought this clip was relevant

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJWvljKs6Mr/?igsh=MWQ5bGNmbmRwNGF1OA==

That was not too bad considering the size... 😅