Morning Fewbie Desert Drive - Eye of Sauron Technical Drive - Dubai - 15 Feb 2026

[Ale Vallecchi]

Please read, understand, and follow the guidelines, etiquette, and responsibilities below.

MUST READ AND COMPLY

• Offroad Flag Guideline
• Two Way Radio Guideline
• Off road Driving Etiquette's
• Emergency details for all off-roaders
• Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities
   

DRIVE DETAILS

Level:  Fewbie and above

When:  15 February 2026, Sunday

Meeting time:  8:30 AM - Sharp (Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ju4fwqLDuoSS1EmP6

Action Plan: A 3-part drive. First a very technical part, from Qudra to Solar Park pylons to the Solar Tower (AKA the Eye of Mordor). Second, the way back, initially technical, will turn into a crossing of more long range dunes. Third, across the pylon track, a last stretch at higher speed in Qudra's Secret Dunes. We'll use everything: patience, endurance, ridge-riding, speed driving, crossing and side sloping. Enjoy!!

Approximate finish time: 12:30 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.

Mandatory off-road gears: Tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, compressor, walkie-talkie radio, off-road flag, shovel, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.
 

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 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 back - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned back - 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

 

[Zahid Sharif]

Hi, whats tentative meet up & exit point? 

[Theo Prado]

Exiting the drive early as I have a change of plans, enjoy the drive guys! 

[Abhishek Chikara]

Apologies, car had a coolant leak so sending her to the service station and won’t be able to make it. I hope it’s a fantastic drive. 

[Eddie-Dune-Glider]

Sorry but I need to withdraw because I’m feeling unwell since afternoon and unsure if I will be well enough to join by tomorrow morning. Have a great drive guys 

[saumik1989]

Withdrawing RSVP as a work commitment has come up. 

[Ale Vallecchi]

On 2/13/2026 at 6:37 AM, Zahid Sharif said:

Hi, whats tentative meet up & exit point? 

Hi @Zahid Sharif. The meeting point has been posted on the drve's thread. Thanks

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear Desertnauts.

No special briefing for tomorrow's drive, if not for the road closures that are planned to allow a bike race to take place throughout Dubai. I will publish the list of roads that will be closed, and the supposed closing time for each location. Please note this info, and arrange to travel to Qudra's ADNOC station, where refueling should take place, in a safe and timely fashion. Delays and/or closure may also affect those coming from Abu Dhabi.

Other than this, be ready to keep your hands on the wheel, and keep your arms busy with lots of steering, as well as your foot nimble with lots of breaking into small but soft bowls and accelerating out of them and onto the dunes' ridges. 

This is a very challenging technical drive that will take us toward the Solar Tower (AKA The Eye of Sauron), across one of the most complex fields of technical dunes in Dubai (and beyond). From there we'll ride back toward Qudra, across longer range dunes, and finally the Qudra's Secret Dunes.

The convoy order will be the following:

@Juan R in Second Lead

@Riyad at #3

@khurram at #4

@Nabeel Abdul Rahman at #5

@Zahid Sharif at Center

@Abdullah A. at Double Center

@_Herman_ at #8

@Yury.bel at #9

@Ash S. at #10 and 

@Krinesh in Sweep.

 See you all tomorrow morning, hoping you have no problems reaching the meeting point. If you have any issues, please post on the drive's thread. Thanks, and enjoy your Saturday evening.

[Ale Vallecchi]

[_Herman_]

Good evening Ale,

When I signed in I received the notification that I already was on another drive (today 14 feb) and could not join this one.  So  I made alternative plans.

So my apologies, I did no know I was added to the list in the end.

Hope to join your drive another time.  Have fun, all!