Morning Intermediate Desert Drive - Hidalgo - Long Desert Endurance - DXB - AD - 31 Jan 2025

[GauravSoni]

Drive plan:

This Drive is crafted for 7 Intermediate drivers who are ready to step up the game where enthusiasm meets endurance and every Kilometer driven demands focus and attention.

Do not expect high dunes and endless side slopes. We drive to navigate the desert with an aim to cover as much dunes within 240 minutes (4 hours) with minimal Radio chatter.

Do not expect frequent bio break stops, or rest breaks. A single rest break for 5 minutes during this 4 hour is planned.

Our Final pit stop will be in AUH as close to Al Saad. 

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

When: Saturday 31 Jan 2025

Meeting time: 6:45 AM

Meeting Point:  Somewhere in Al Qudra DXB

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 lunch, smiles, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time:  11:30 AM

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

MANDATORY OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor
• Walkie-talkie radio
• Off-road flag
• 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
• 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 BELOW CALENDAR

 

[GauravSoni]

Dune surfers!

@Glenn W @Anoop Nair @Beide Worku @Alexanderrr  @Zulfikhar Naiyar @ChrisW @Sam Selim

Before the engines fire up this Saturday, there’s a quiet tension in the air — this drive will be about speed.

About pushing hard when the terrain allows and holding the line when it gets rough, and knowing that endurance only matters if you have the nerve to chase the horizon.

Long stretches, fast sections, technical testing ground, and that relentless push forward — every km we drive, where control, concentration , courage and pace come together.

Please ensure your car is in good mechanical condition.

@Beide Worku hope the issues with the beast is sorted and ready to go!

I will post the meeting point soon.. 

[Anoop Nair]

@GauravSoni I have to pull out as something has come up for tomorrow morning. See you on the next one

[GauravSoni]

Dune surfers!

@Glenn W @Beide Worku @Alexanderrr @Zulfikhar Naiyar @ChrisW @nithish468 @Bjoern @Sam Selim

the RSVP is now CLOSED.

we have few last minute signups and withdrawals.. welcome all!

we will meet at 6.45 am with wheels rolling at 7 am! 

meeting location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/nTdzDEZWcGyYY7Wf6?g_st=ic

the plan is to cover 150+ km in 4 hours of driving.

we plan to exit around 11 am however I am keeping a buffer of 30 minutes.

This is going to be mentally and physically tough for both man and machine! 
 
Rest well! And see you all in sand. 
 

[Beide Worku]

Thanks @GauravSoni I got my baby back full fixed and desert tested, at least that's what I am told by my garage so definitely ready and hungry for tomorrow. See you there fellas!

[GauravSoni]

Drive Report – Hidalgo Mode Activated!!

We wrapped up an intense and super-satisfying drive today, starting sharp at 7:10 AM from the dirt track at the Bab Al Shams entry for Qudra.

After a quick briefing, we headed straight towards Little Sweihan. The track was extremely bushy with barely any clean sand, but we pushed through as a tight convoy — everyone stuck to the pace and stayed fully committed. For nearly an hour, there were zero refusals and pin-drop radio silence, which says a lot about the group’s focus and flow.

We reached the crossover point to Al Ajban, took a short break, and then moved into cleaner dunes. That’s where the action picked up — our first ridge stuck showed up. As soon as post-recovery started, I managed to land myself into a tricky stuck of my own 😄, which was quickly and cleanly recovered.

Back on the move, we made it to Nahel by 10:00 AM. With flags removed, we drove a few clicks past Nahel ADNOC, re-entered the dunes, and upped the pace. Clean dunes ahead meant momentum, and we played around some big ones, crossing the Nahel dunes in about 20 minutes.

By 10:30 AM, we were heading towards Sweihan via the dirt track, squeezing in a couple more dune plays along the way. The final stretch was pure magic — open, clean dunes towards Sweihan (West Africa entry). The next 15 minutes felt like a trance, and we exited to conclude the drive at 11:15 AM.

Huge shout-out to @Alexanderrrfor an excellent 2nd lead — despite long gaps, he followed the track brilliantly, corrected lines when needed, and delivered a perfect tug to recover my car 👌

Absolute pleasure watching @nithish468 — apart from the stuck, you drove with confidence and skill. Bravo!

There was hardly any radio chatter, which tells me the center and sweep were having a great time too.

Thanks @Bjoern @ChrisW and  @Sam Selimfor the solid support and guidance keeping the convoy tight!

Well done @Glenn W on your first IM recovery — well earned!

And as always, a pleasure driving with @Beide Worku and @Zulfikhar Naiyar. I hope you guys enjoyed the drive with your co passengers.

Drive stats:

• Total distance: 104 km

• Total time: 4 hrs 3 mins

• Moving time: 3 hrs 40 mins 

• Average speed: 25.8 km/h

A proper Hidalgo-style drive — endurance, speed, discipline, and flow all coming together.

Congratulations to the convoy for completing this epic run!  This was one route which had been on my bucket list for a very long time!!!
See you guys soon on the dunes!

waiting to hear your feedbacks @Alexanderrr @nithish468 @Bjoern @ChrisW @Glenn W @Sam Selim @Zulfikhar Naiyar @Beide Worku!  

[GauravSoni]

[GauravSoni]

Here is a link for those who want to relive!!!

https://www.relive.com/view/vYvrz9JLyLv

[ChrisW]

Thank you @GauravSoni for an exceptionally well led drive, and shout out to @Alexanderrr for finding a path for the convoy. 
 

The first part of the drive through Qudra was definitely a test of patience and determination. The terrain there is technical enough to need concentration and focus, and so bumpy as to beat you up a bit. The following sections through Ajban and into Sweihan were the reward however, with many long flowing lines for us to enjoy. 
 

The stats speak for themselves - everyone did a great job keeping the discipline and pace, and you all demonstrated the high level of skill and ability gained for a great many drives. Was a pleasure being out with you all and hope to do so again soon. 
 

Here’s a quick selection of clips from our day out:

 

[Beide Worku]

@GauravSoni first drive of its kind for me and enjoyed every moment of it, speaking for my passenger as well. The convoy was great,  pretty much no real hiccup. Thanks again for the great lead and shout out to all the support team members. 

Edited February 1 by Beide Worku