Morning Fewbie Plus Desert Drive - Stealing the Criss-Cross Train: Lisaili to Qudra - Dubai - 15 Nov 2025

[Ishak]

Hello
@Frans M @Nicolò @JAISROCK @vinayak n @J-P L @lucas amat @Mei Ling @Lala G @Mahesh_ @Sherry Jacob @Abhishek Chikara @Faraz94 @Glenn W @Dodi Syahdar

We will start briefing at 06.30

Radio channel 8: 446.181

The convoy order:

 

[Ishak]

Updated Convoy Order

[JAISROCK]

Hi @Ishak apologies, unfortunately I need to opt out of this drive. Enjoy the drive. 
Will be working this weekend😠

[Mahesh_]

@Ishak Apologize for pulling out at the last minute. Am not feeling well. 

[Ishak]

Get well soon @Mahesh_

See you soon on the sand@JAISROCK @Mahesh_

[Lala G]

@Ishak's train left the platform on time with fantastic weather at daybreak. Flowing thru the dunes the train engine and therefore all the "bogies" moved with a nice flow. 😀

@Frans M nice first lead keeping the convoy safe. @Glenn W Assuring presence at the sweep.

A few short refusals, nothing that @J-P L and a shovel cannot fix. Thanks bro.

By now we have learnt it's better to give out early rather than push through a bad line or position, and that difference was exemplified when @Mei Ling held out momentarily on a ridge and @J-P L was quick to move out to the left to not be stranded while I tried to push through right instead causing a classic crest.

@vinayak n blue FJ's anchored assist shows @Carnity's safety first attitude. Good work there.

@Abhishek Chikara@Sherry Jacob@Mei Ling@Nicolò and @Faraz94 Superb rock solid runs guys. 

Attaching some pics of today. See you soon again when the train moves again.

@Carnity@Gaurav, what a splendid lead @Ishak has been. Great mentorship given.


 

[vinayak n]

@Ishak@Frans M @J-P L @Glenn W 

Thanks for the fantastic drive. Many learnings today ...amazing last 20min big dunes run was amazing...again congrats @Ishak  on your 1st fewbie plus lead ..looking forward for more of such drives...!!!

Nice weekend to All 

Edited November 15, 2025 by vinayak n

[Ishak]

The drive today was straightforward yet exciting: the mission was to steal the legendary Criss Cross Train and bring it all the way to Qudra.

Wes started the morning strong, setting the tone for the day. A big thank you to the team for arriving on time, getting tires deflated, and flags raised so we could start the briefing at 6:30 sharp.

From the very first climb, everyone lined up beautifully, creating that perfect long desert train that moved like a single creature across the dunes.

We had several stations lined up for today’s adventure, and the team did an outstanding job visiting almost all of them. The only one we had to skip was the Qudra Secret Dunes, simply because time wasn’t on our side.

Overall, the route was about 85% smooth 😅 and thoroughly enjoyable, with each stop adding its own flavor to the experience. At one point, we crossed a technical patch with bushes because I decided to cut short the path to reach the second station faster, and you all handled it effortlessly.

Thanks to our solid second lead today @Frans M, responded to every instruction perfectly. Your initiative to continuously inform the situation to the convoy was very big help to me to focus on finding the safe line. Really appreciate that.

@Nicolò, great control, steady and smooth.
@vinayak n, you brought a lot of energy and fun to the drive today, giving us the perfect opportunity to practice safe recovery techniques.
@Mei Ling, your progress on switching the ridge was clearly visible today, great job handling those transitions with confidence!
Our ever-busy support @J-P L, as always, handled refusals and stuck situations with super calm and a touch of fun, especially when it came to "I have to give you a tug!"🤣

@Lala G Thanks for that documentation and feedbacks 🙏 , you missed the last fun part where we learn to climb from slip face and switch because you have to exit 30 min before.

The IM gang at the back @Sherry Jacob @Abhishek Chikara and @Faraz94, hope you enjoy today's drive 🫡.
@Abhishek Chikara, I can see the different from our last drive in little Sweihan. better control. Before the last climb, you decided to steer down very smoothly without fishtailing. well done.

The freeman today @Glenn W, thanks for making sure no body left behind. You show us the nice line during the last climb.. and also the freestyle moment on the first station during the second break 🤣.

After all, we didn’t really steal the train, we just borrowed it from its rightful owner, @Varun Mehndiratta, Now we’re eagerly waiting for the day when the owner takes the wheel and give us for a ride! Until then, we might just borrow it again and bring it all the way to Nahel. 😉

 

[Frans M]

@Ishak it was a FUN-tastic drive this morning. Congratulation for your first FB+ drive. You nailed it man!!

Glad to be part of this drive. Excellent steering handling by everyone and perfect control by @Nicolò. Everytime I looked at the center mirror, I was amazed that you were on the position I wished for. Pretty good control without refusals. Good to see all the FB+ team @vinayak n, @Mei Lingand @Lala G conquering the dunes in high speed. I watched the IM team @Sherry Jacob @Faraz94@Abhishek Chikara were enjoying the drive. Great support always by @J-P L and @Glenn W.

See you all again soon on the next drives.

[Glenn W]

Thanks @Ishak for the fun drive & lead this morning and well done on your first fewbie plus drive. Nice pace, nice switches and climbs! Had a little bit of everything.
 

Thank you @J-P L and @Frans M for your the support and the great David trying to move Goliath moment. We all knew the Jimny could haul that FJ out from the ridge 😉 

@Nicolò @vinayak n @Mei Ling @Lala G @Sherry Jacob @Faraz94 @Abhishek Chikara great to see you all this morning, good driving with lots of discipline & control. And when required excellent team work on the stucks, refusals etc.

enjoy the rest of the weekend!! See you again soon.