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I was at the meeting point at 6.30 sharp on Friday morning, ready to get started at 7 ! So excited to get back to the desert in my own big blue 😁 The summer dunes are so much more tricky and softer than the winter dunes and because I am quite used to driving the little blue of @Frederic I struggled a little bit more than usual. The big Pajero is not the same as the little Pajero, that's for sure !! I got stuck quite bad at the last stretch out but with the help of @Srikumar@Brette and @EmmanuelI was able to get my big blue back on track. Sorry guys for the sand shower I gave you, I really didn't mean to. It's so difficult to keep your foot steady and turn the wheel left to right to try to get yourself out ! I had quite a workout ! But I learned something and that's a good thing. @Fredericalways says it's not a shame when you get stuck, at least you learn something then and I have to agree with that .... I had a blast again as always and if I could I would be driving all weekend, definitely got the off road bug and I hope to see you all next weekend !!

Like a bunch of giddy (but caged) teenagers we arrived at our deflation point on Friday anxious to dip our feet once more into the creamy sands of Al Qudra. I will not pretend for one moment that it's a bit surreal that we cannot greet each other, chat, socialise and see how things have been for the last weeks in lockdown - that has always been one of the great pleasures and differentiators of Carnity. No doubt, because it is so deeply embedded in the DNA of the group it will return as soon as we can, but it does mean that the start to a drive has a different feel to it. Nonetheless, just about everyone rolled up on time and started to deflate their tires, set up flags and turn on their radios. It was starting to feel like we would soon be on our way. After a quick visual check on the convoy to make sure tow points were all in place (we will be making a lot more towed recoveries now due to COVID) and convoy numbering and a quick additional brief from @Srikumar we were actually on our way. Cautiously at first, as if slowly feeling the sand under our tyres again for the first time we ventured out. Our convoy was an excellent mix of experienced and less experienced drivers. @Emmanuel playing Centre Forward, @Brette sweeping and myself and @Jeepie as second lead with @Zed @Chaitanya D @Vanessa8580 @J J all delighted to be back behind the wheel of their respective rides. @Nikhil Saju Paul and @RohanH made up the rest of the convoy. And with those quiet words "OK, I am moving", we were off. As @Srikumar had promised, we started very gently, as we all got a feel of the sand again: Not only because it's been a few weeks since we had a convoy, but because in the last weeks the sand has changed. The sun is drying out the sand and it's softer, less forgiving and with the bright sun a tiny bit more challenging to read. And then, there's the dual effects of cloud seeding and mapping the shifting sands. The desert is green - there's no other way to put it. Grasses sprouting everywhere, bushes in full leaf, tree resplendent and green against the golden sands. Sounds idyllic, until you need to navigate across a dune an avoid the risks of the sand staying firmer than expected because the roots are holding the sand in place, or finding a clump of grass that throws the weight and balance of the vehicle off. In the Netherlands, the dunes at the beach are deliberately seeded with grasses to keep them in place as a barrier from the sea (as more than 40% of the Netherlands is under sea level that's quite an essential task). As @Srikumar said 'Welcome to the Al Qudra Jungle!' Thanks to excellent navigation noone had a problem due to this. As we ventured deeper into the dunes we did have our first refusals: nothing that a little bit of good avice and coaching could not handle. Confident that everyone was back into the groove, after navigating through the tecnhical dunes, we moved on to an area known for wide open spaces to allow for some nice slope sliding practice ... except, it wasn't there any more. It's easy to forget that the dunes are a living, changing environment. How they looked yesterday is not guarantee of what you'll find today. And so it ws that we had to go insearch of a new area where we could play. As we found our play area we also suffered 3 stucks in exactly the same place, with some of the longer wheelbase vehicles cresting at exactly the same point one after another. It was clear, both drivers and cars were a little 'rusty'. Too much time away has dulled our and our cars responses. The clever technology in the cars had re-learned that the speed bumps in the supermarket car park were the most challenging obstacles they needed to overcome. The drivers, well - we are only human. We had our most challenging stuck as we started the journey out of the drive. @Vanessa8580 has given a whole new meaning to the word sandblasting. It took a little bit of time and some digging to get her out, but she ws by no means the only one who found the new softer sand beguiling. Glad to say, we all made it out to reinflate safely and from our resposible distance between us wave adeiu until the next time. It's great to be back. It's great to see everyone again (even in these stranger, restricted circumtances), and it's wonderful to ahve seen the beautiful desert scenery again. I am looking forward to getting back into the weekly swing of up early on a Friday ...until it's too hot to handle in the day and we move to night drives. Have a great week ... and if anyone picked up @Zed's deflator kit for safekeeping it would be great if they are reunited. See you soon in the sand.

Welcome to the COVID 19 "new normal" lifestyle with restrictions and precautions for everyone safety. Moving forward and respecting authorities guidance all desert drives will be done under strict control. No Gathering | No Briefing | No BBQ | No Eating Together | No Touching | No Hugging MUST READ: Not following these rules and precautions = Not allowed to drive. We are only allowed to drive through the desert, as we are driving on the road now. So we will only do the desert driving just by sitting inside our cars at all the times and leave the drive without socializing or coming close to each other. Just like before we like to continue our desert drives through out the year, but this time we need your immense support to understand the strict control and to help everyone follow them all the time. For members who are fasting, they can break their fast discreetly and convoy will be stopped during that time and until they offer their prayer. How to maintain "STRICT" Social Distancing Meeting point will be set slightly (100m - 200m) inside the desert track. So, that you individually deflate your tires on the tarmac before reaching the meeting point. While deflating tires, stop cars 10 meters away from any other car. Drive signup on calendar will be closed on Thursday morning by 9 AM. Convoy numbering and briefing will be posted here on this drive post before 6 PM on Thursday. All participants need to read & acknowledge the briefing by clicking "Totally Agree" reaction Switch on your radio when you reach the meeting point on the set frequency advised by the trip lead in the critical briefing here. Once everyone reach to the meeting point, everyone stay inside the car at all the times. Trip lead will do the roll call, convoy numbering recap, critical briefing over the radio. Any suggestions or issues will be discussed over the radio too. You can also speak to other members through the radio only. So please make sure that your radio battery is fully charged. Once all set, trip lead will start the drive as before. Refusal and Recoveries with Social Distancing Every drive will have 1 lead Marshal and 1 or 2 supporting senior members/crew. Whenever there is a stuck or refusal, only Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is allowed to handle the situation. Everyone else including the stuck car driver, stay inside the car - AT ALL TIMES. Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is only allowed to step out to access the situation and do the recoveries: They will wear mask and gloves at all times when they are outside their car. They will try to help self recover through the radio guidance. If not they will use required recovery gear and do the needful (shovel, tug or winch, as required). If at any time Marshal require help, then only you are allowed to step out by wearing face mask and gloves at all times. Drive completion and inflation Now, there will not be any gathering or sitting down together for food-break like before. Once drive is finished, after reaching the tarmac, everyone is requested to move away 50-100 meters before starting their inflation. For drivers having no compressor, can head to the near by fuel station. If drive is ending at a place where there is no fuel station near by, then trip lead will inform in advance so that drivers having their own compressor can join only. Now Strictly no more sharing of compressors, radio, shovel or any recovery gear, at any times. Mandatory things you require to attend the drive Face mask - at least TWO face mask is needed in case one get damage or fly away. Disposable rubber gloves - at least two sets are needed. Wear face mask and gloves at all the times, when you are out of your car. Carry plenty of hand sanitizer and object sanitizer (spray). Use your sanitizers generously, whenever you step out to help or recover. Sanitize your hands before getting back into your car. Sanitize your recovery gears, if you have used them. Fully charged radio - without any excuse - No radio = No drive. Shovel - Must for every car, to do little self recovery Safety flag - Must for every car, like before Compressor - If joining the drives that is ending far from the fuel station. Mandatory precaution that you need to take at all times Do not step out of your car UNLESS/OTHERWISE advice by Marshal / Senior Member / Crew. No shaking hands, hugs or touching each other. No sharing of food, drinks or recovery tools. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a lot of rest. If you have travel in last 14 days, then please do not attend this drive. If you feel unwell during the drive, please let trip lead know so he can plan an early exit. Not more than 3 pax in a car and if all 3 aren't living together, then they should wear the mask inside the car too. Drive Details Level: Fewbie and all above - NO ABSOLUTE NEWBIE ALLOWED. When: 22 May 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 3:30 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Action Plan: Evening drive + 1 hour of easy night drive Meeting Point: Badayer Shops - https://goo.gl/maps/ejocFKnH54fnhNRX9 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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 6:30 PM End Point: ADNOC - Al Madam https://goo.gl/maps/NNuzbqdgQ3UaS9Ty8 LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 12 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 1 Lead Marshal + 2 or 1 Senior Members + 9 or 10 Members. 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

Welcome to the COVID 19 "new normal" lifestyle with restrictions and precautions for everyone safety. Moving forward and respecting authorities guidance all desert drives will be done under strict control. No Gathering | No Briefing | No BBQ | No Eating Together | No Touching | No Hugging MUST READ: Not following these rules and precautions = Not allowed to drive. We are only allowed to drive through the desert, as we are driving on the road now. So we will only do the desert driving just by sitting inside our cars at all the times and leave the drive without socializing or coming close to each other. Just like before we like to continue our desert drives through out the year, but this time we need your immense support to understand the strict control and to help everyone follow them all the time. For members who are fasting, they can break their fast discreetly and convoy will be stopped during that time and until they offer their prayer. How to maintain "STRICT" Social Distancing Meeting point will be set slightly (100m - 200m) inside the desert track. So, that you individually deflate your tires on the tarmac before reaching the meeting point. While deflating tires, stop cars 10 meters away from any other car. Drive signup on calendar will be closed on Thursday morning by 9 AM. Convoy numbering and briefing will be posted here on this drive post before 6 PM on Thursday. All participants need to read & acknowledge the briefing by clicking "Totally Agree" reaction Switch on your radio when you reach the meeting point on the set frequency advised by the trip lead in the critical briefing here. Once everyone reach to the meeting point, everyone stay inside the car at all the times. Trip lead will do the roll call, convoy numbering recap, critical briefing over the radio. Any suggestions or issues will be discussed over the radio too. You can also speak to other members through the radio only. So please make sure that your radio battery is fully charged. Once all set, trip lead will start the drive as before. Refusal and Recoveries with Social Distancing Every drive will have 1 lead Marshal and 1 or 2 supporting senior members/crew. Whenever there is a stuck or refusal, only Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is allowed to handle the situation. Everyone else including the stuck car driver, stay inside the car - AT ALL TIMES. Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is only allowed to step out to access the situation and do the recoveries: They will wear mask and gloves at all times when they are outside their car. They will try to help self recover through the radio guidance. If not they will use required recovery gear and do the needful (shovel, tug or winch, as required). If at any time Marshal require help, then only you are allowed to step out by wearing face mask and gloves at all times. Drive completion and inflation Now, there will not be any gathering or sitting down together for food-break like before. Once drive is finished, after reaching the tarmac, everyone is requested to move away 50-100 meters before starting their inflation. For drivers having no compressor, can head to the near by fuel station. If drive is ending at a place where there is no fuel station near by, then trip lead will inform in advance so that drivers having their own compressor can join only. Now Strictly no more sharing of compressors, radio, shovel or any recovery gear, at any times. Mandatory things you require to attend the drive Face mask - at least TWO face mask is needed in case one get damage or fly away. Disposable rubber gloves - at least two sets are needed. Wear face mask and gloves at all the times, when you are out of your car. Carry plenty of hand sanitizer and object sanitizer (spray). Use your sanitizers generously, whenever you step out to help or recover. Sanitize your hands before getting back into your car. Sanitize your recovery gears, if you have used them. Fully charged radio - without any excuse - No radio = No drive. Shovel - Must for every car, to do little self recovery Safety flag - Must for every car, like before Compressor - If joining the drives that is ending far from the fuel station. Mandatory precaution that you need to take at all times Do not step out of your car UNLESS/OTHERWISE advice by Marshal / Senior Member / Crew. No shaking hands, hugs or touching each other. No sharing of food, drinks or recovery tools. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a lot of rest. If you feel unwell during the drive, please let trip lead know so he can plan an early exit. Not more than 3 pax in a car and if all 3 aren't living together, then they should wear the mask inside the car too. Drive Details Leading a desert drive is the most amazing experience to have, where you can combine the fun, freedom, creativity, strategic thinking and survival skills all at once. Leaders lead is the drive where all participant of that drive will lead for a certain period of time. Backed with the right techniques, experience and supervision so that you can learn the art of leading with a peace of mind without any fear or pressure. Due to the basic experience required to read the sand and have basic navigational sense, this drive is only suited to the Intermediate and above level off-roaders. You will be learning the basics of leading the convoy in the desert in three different steps: Advance sand reading, plan your lead, plan your exits. Use of navigational software for selecting the right course of path. How to systematically scale the lead for all the cars in the convoy. Level: Intermediate and Above. (NO NEWBIES/FEWBIES ALLOWED) When: 23 May 2020, Saturday Meeting time: 7:00 AM, (Sharp, without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Al Faqa Desert https://goo.gl/maps/6nCnZuFCJDv2uuKHA Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance. Approximate finish time: 10:30 - 11:00 AM LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 6 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 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

If the standard indoor cinema experience in Dubai is anything to go by, I can’t see this concept working. You’re going to get a lot of idiots in straight piped patrols and land cruisers revving their engines every time they get excited and a lot of idiots in Sunnys and lancers blowing their horn every 2 minutes.

@J J just not the right time for me. Every time I want to join something goes wrong. Unfortunately i am dealing with a family emergency and will be back to the sands as soon as all is in place for me.

🤔

I love my TJ. It is indestructible. It is direct. It has phenomenal capabilities. There is bags of power. It looks cool. I would go for a Pathfinder with the right engine. What I miss in the TJ are just a few creature comforts and room for kit (mine is a 2 door). The Jeep, well, it's a Jeep. We were lucky to find one like this, but even so it needs attention ... like a favourite child. The Nissans. Reliable. String. Well made.

The drive started smoothly as it was, for many, the first one after a few weeks of lockdown. The enthusiasm was evident, and @Gaurav’s lead allowed all drivers to have fun as he gradually escalated the difficulty. Still, all drivers, including Newbies, were able to follow the pace with almost no refusals. We, hence, had more playtime, in addition to reaching the other side of Pink Rock before Iftar time. I personally had lots of fun and was so glad to be back and see familiar faces as well as new ones! Thanks @Gaurav and @Xaf

Welcome to the COVID 19 "new normal" lifestyle with restrictions and precautions for everyone safety. Moving forward and respecting authorities guidance all desert drives will be done under strict control. No Gathering | No Briefing | No BBQ | No Eating Together | No Touching | No Hugging MUST READ: Not following these rules and precautions = Not allowed to drive. We are only allowed to drive through the desert, as we are driving on the road now. So we will only do the desert driving just by sitting inside our cars at all the times and leave the drive without socializing or coming close to each other. Just like before we like to continue our desert drives through out the year, but this time we need your immense support to understand the strict control and to help everyone follow them all the time. For members who are fasting, they can break their fast discreetly and convoy will be stopped during that time and until they offer their prayer. How to maintain "STRICT" Social Distancing Meeting point will be set slightly (100m - 200m) inside the desert track. So, that you individually deflate your tires on the tarmac before reaching the meeting point. While deflating tires, stop cars 10 meters away from any other car. Drive signup on calendar will be closed on Thursday morning by 9 AM. Convoy numbering and briefing will be posted here on this drive post before 6 PM on Thursday. All participants need to read & acknowledge the briefing by clicking "Totally Agree" reaction Switch on your radio when you reach the meeting point on the set frequency advised by the trip lead in the critical briefing here. Once everyone reach to the meeting point, everyone stay inside the car at all the times. Trip lead will do the roll call, convoy numbering recap, critical briefing over the radio. Any suggestions or issues will be discussed over the radio too. You can also speak to other members through the radio only. So please make sure that your radio battery is fully charged. Once all set, trip lead will start the drive as before. Refusal and Recoveries with Social Distancing Every drive will have 1 lead Marshal and 1 or 2 supporting senior members/crew. Whenever there is a stuck or refusal, only Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is allowed to handle the situation. Everyone else including the stuck car driver, stay inside the car - AT ALL TIMES. Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is only allowed to step out to access the situation and do the recoveries: They will wear mask and gloves at all times when they are outside their car. They will try to help self recover through the radio guidance. If not they will use required recovery gear and do the needful (shovel, tug or winch, as required). If at any time Marshal require help, then only you are allowed to step out by wearing face mask and gloves at all times. Drive completion and inflation Now, there will not be any gathering or sitting down together for food-break like before. Once drive is finished, after reaching the tarmac, everyone is requested to move away 50-100 meters before starting their inflation. For drivers having no compressor, can head to the near by fuel station. If drive is ending at a place where there is no fuel station near by, then trip lead will inform in advance so that drivers having their own compressor can join only. Now Strictly no more sharing of compressors, radio, shovel or any recovery gear, at any times. Mandatory things you require to attend the drive Face mask - at least TWO face mask is needed in case one get damage or fly away. Disposable rubber gloves - at least two sets are needed. Wear face mask and gloves at all the times, when you are out of your car. Carry plenty of hand sanitizer and object sanitizer (spray). Use your sanitizers generously, whenever you step out to help or recover. Sanitize your hands before getting back into your car. Sanitize your recovery gears, if you have used them. Fully charged radio - without any excuse - No radio = No drive. Shovel - Must for every car, to do little self recovery Safety flag - Must for every car, like before Compressor - If joining the drives that is ending far from the fuel station. Mandatory precaution that you need to take at all times Do not step out of your car UNLESS/OTHERWISE advice by Marshal / Senior Member / Crew. No shaking hands, hugs or touching each other. No sharing of food, drinks or recovery tools. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a lot of rest. If you have travel in last 14 days, then please do not attend this drive. If you feel unwell during the drive, please let trip lead know so he can plan an early exit. Not more than 3 pax in a car and if all 3 aren't living together, then they should wear the mask inside the car too. Drive Details Level: Newbie and all above - NO ABSOLUTE NEWBIE ALLOWED. When: 22 May 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 7:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Qudra Area - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rnv8kvp2WhQGU46D6 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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 10:30 AM- 11:00 AM End Point: Qudra Last Exit https://goo.gl/maps/uAS3yNeypFW1V1xy6 LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 12 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 1 Lead Marshal + 2 or 1 Senior Members + 9 or 10 Members. 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

Congratulations @Nikhil Saju Paul for reaching the fewbie level with Carnity Offroad club. Based on your last newbie drive you have demonstrated skills required deserving this new offroad rank. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Once you have all the required off-road gear, you are most welcome to join the fewbie level drives with Carnity Off-road club. P.S. Trip lead might deny your participation if you don't have required off-road gear. Fewbie: Number of drives 10 (16 Newbie + Fewbie drives) Level of drives Willingness to learn + Enthusiasm + Basic dune reading Off-road gear Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio, compressor. Drive teamwork Observe recovery from a safe distance and offer help when needed Drive posting/joining Join newbie and fewbie level of drives only Forum participation Active participation on forum. Share drive experience + feedback on forum and pictures in gallery Forum participation and helping with community spirit is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels.

@Vanessa8580 It was so nice to see you driving, after all this time... and to see how much you became confident as an off-roader ! Even with the big Pajero. I saw you doing very nice sideys as I was just in front of you in the convoy. Impressive ! Forget about the stuck, we all have been there — and we will always enjoy a good sand shower from time to time !

As repeatedly said by all X-Terra has to be the number 1 choice by default, however 200K is too much and I would like to get something in that price range and model, but with max 120k or 140k kms and not more. First thing i will do is get it completely checked, cleaned, change all oils, filters, plugs wire sets, hoses that are hardened over time or even cracked. All rubber parts and bushes that need to be changed. Slap on Yokohama Geolandar AT-S and drive like a boss. Wrangler is for full unadulterated fun, but where the vehicle is very capable, it is not as comfortable. My only concern is that if you learn driving in a Jeep it is very difficult for you to get used to lesser vehicles. The Jeep has many mods available in the market, someone once told me just like a Harley Davidson a Jeep is built and not bought. The 4.0 litre engine on it is bullet proof and has a very good gearing as well. I would prefer a Jeep Wrangler from 2001 model to 2004, rather than 2005. Seems they were the best built ever. But condition would be paramount as it can be very difficult to maintain and rather expensive to maintain as well. If I really wanted to learn off-roading by challenging myself and yet having something very capable, i would go for the Pathfinder, 3.5 litre is strong enough. As I love challenging myself mine is a 3.3 litre version. You will have a lot of choices to make some cheap choice for mods or proper ones that will not cost you an arm and a leg. I find my Pathy pretty comfortable and it gives me enough torque to get me out of situations and get to to most places without breaking a sweat. As for diff-lock with E-Terra you will find the rear diff-lock on the Off-road version. it is not a deal breaker, but if you can keep watching out for the ads and prepared to negotiate and bagain you will find a sweeter deal than the ones listed.

Where have you been ! Hope you well !

What a pleasure to be able to read your trip report again @Wrangeld. Really took me to the soft stuff and now I am craving it even more.

Yes, because he has an year of off-road experience and we just transfer that experience quickly after his first newbie drive.

Roshan in red pajero Who’s in the wrangler ?

It’s was absolutely a nice drive after a long gap to desert. First it was little tuff for me due to the tire pressure heat up and this several stuck also the summer loose sand. Thanks to @Frederic and every one helped for the recovery. Once set the correct tire pressure I could feel a very much difference in drive and everything goes well. Today was a good learning for me to know how to drive on the loose sand in summer. Once again thanks for everyone and waiting to see you all on next drive.

TRIP REPORT The Badayer region is generally known for extreme buggy offroading, lots of noise, and dunes which are beautiful but can mess you up pretty badly. For this drive i wanted to let the extreme stuff behind, and just focus on getting back in the sand and enjoy the afternoon with our Carnity family. @Shamil joined us with a friend in a voodoo-blue FJ Cruiser, which gave me back nice memories from having owned the same one in Saudi Arabia, but luckily Shamil his car was a 4WD and not a 2WD like mine With @Martin. as my second lead, we headed off to see what this afternoon would bring us. The first two hours i ventured into an area of Badayer which was slightly more challenging for Newbies due to the loose sand, and some cars needed to be woken up again after having spent time in the garages due to the lockdown. This meant we had some recovery work to do, but that always gives us something to learn, and both @Ale Vallecchi and @Shamil provided excellent support, but also most other members were very pro-active and offered to help, which is of course more difficult now because of Covid restrictions but nevertheless we kept it sane and followed the guidelines. After about 2 hours, i chose to go for a more gentle track which leaded to the back side of Pink Rock and we chose to drive around it as it was getting a bit dark and we wanted to take a break for Iftar prayers. All in all a very pleasant drives with a few challenges where we all had to think as a group to find the best recovery course of action, but as you see we always strive to find the safest option and that brings us all safely back on the tarmac. @Nizam Deen @E.C. TAN @Pancho @luwaimn @Shiju Manuel @Vanessa8580 @Denizzalbayrak @Ale Vallecchi @Shamil @Martin. Thanks to all for joining the drive and i hope to see you all soon again ! https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpWMQ18Ev

It was wonderful to be out again. Thanks to Fred for leading us. Thanks to Ale n Shamil as well for being there to help. Thanks everyone for the good company even with social distancing. Looking forward to next weekend's drive.

Welcome to the COVID 19 "new normal" lifestyle with restrictions and precautions for everyone safety. Moving forward and respecting authorities guidance all desert drives will be done under strict control. No Gathering | No Briefing | No BBQ | No Eating Together | No Touching | No Hugging MUST READ: Not following these rules and precautions = Not allowed to drive. We are only allowed to drive through the desert, as we are driving on the road now. So we will only do the desert driving just by sitting inside our cars at all the times and leave the drive without socializing or coming close to each other. Just like before we like to continue our desert drives through out the year, but this time we need your immense support to understand the strict control and to help everyone follow them all the time. For members who are fasting, they can break their fast discreetly and convoy will be stopped during that time and until they offer their prayer. How to maintain "STRICT" Social Distancing Meeting point will be set slightly (100m - 200m) inside the desert track. So, that you individually deflate your tires on the tarmac before reaching the meeting point. While deflating tires, stop cars 10 meters away from any other car. Drive signup on calendar will be closed on Thursday morning by 9 AM. Convoy numbering and briefing will be posted here on this drive post before 6 PM on Thursday. All participants need to read & acknowledge the briefing by clicking "Totally Agree" reaction Switch on your radio when you reach the meeting point on the set frequency advised by the trip lead in the critical briefing here. Once everyone reach to the meeting point, everyone stay inside the car at all the times. Trip lead will do the roll call, convoy numbering recap, critical briefing over the radio. Any suggestions or issues will be discussed over the radio too. You can also speak to other members through the radio only. So please make sure that your radio battery is fully charged. Once all set, trip lead will start the drive as before. Refusal and Recoveries with Social Distancing Every drive will have 1 lead Marshal and 1 or 2 supporting senior members/crew. Whenever there is a stuck or refusal, only Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is allowed to handle the situation. Everyone else including the stuck car driver, stay inside the car - AT ALL TIMES. Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is only allowed to step out to access the situation and do the recoveries: They will wear mask and gloves at all times when they are outside their car. They will try to help self recover through the radio guidance. If not they will use required recovery gear and do the needful (shovel, tug or winch, as required). If at any time Marshal require help, then only you are allowed to step out by wearing face mask and gloves at all times. Drive completion and inflation Now, there will not be any gathering or sitting down together for food-break like before. Once drive is finished, after reaching the tarmac, everyone is requested to move away 50-100 meters before starting their inflation. For drivers having no compressor, can head to the near by fuel station. If drive is ending at a place where there is no fuel station near by, then trip lead will inform in advance so that drivers having their own compressor can join only. Now Strictly no more sharing of compressors, radio, shovel or any recovery gear, at any times. Mandatory things you require to attend the drive Face mask - at least TWO face mask is needed in case one get damage or fly away. Disposable rubber gloves - at least two sets are needed. Wear face mask and gloves at all the times, when you are out of your car. Carry plenty of hand sanitizer and object sanitizer (spray). Use your sanitizers generously, whenever you step out to help or recover. Sanitize your hands before getting back into your car. Sanitize your recovery gears, if you have used them. Fully charged radio - without any excuse - No radio = No drive. Shovel - Must for every car, to do little self recovery Safety flag - Must for every car, like before Compressor - If joining the drives that is ending far from the fuel station. Mandatory precaution that you need to take at all times Do not step out of your car UNLESS/OTHERWISE advice by Marshal / Senior Member / Crew. No shaking hands, hugs or touching each other. No sharing of food, drinks or recovery tools. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a lot of rest. If you have travel in last 14 days, then please do not attend this drive. If you feel unwell during the drive, please let trip lead know so he can plan an early exit. Not more than 3 pax in a car and if all 3 aren't living together, then they should wear the mask inside the car too. Drive Details Level: Newbie and all above - NO ABSOLUTE NEWBIE ALLOWED. When: 22 May 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 7:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Tawi Nazwa Shops - https://goo.gl/maps/iKgMEbX8XA5e7DPp9 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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM End Point: 2nd Dec Cafeteria - https://goo.gl/maps/AC4qGB6gxkZcutXj6 P.S. PLEASE JOIN, ONLY IF YOU HAVE COMPRESSOR TO INFLATE LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 12 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 1 Lead Marshal + 2 or 1 Senior Members + 9 or 10 Members. 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

Hello all. Now that weekend desert drive has kind of become a routine , my family is upping the ante against me for taking the patrol y62 to sand and getting it back all dirty. I have decided I will go in for a used weekend desert drive car to save myself and also my y62 which has been a very comfortable drive for all at home. I have shortlisted few used cars as below 1. Pathfinder 2005 3.5 L V6- 160000 km run for about 13.5 k (2nd owner) 2. Wrangler TJ 2006 4L V6 - 120000 km run for about 22 k.( 2nd owner) 3. X terra s 2010 4L V6 about 2 lac run for 25 k.( ? Probably 3rd) All cars have been GCC , without any mods and have been Registered recently. All from direct sellers I would like to have the suggestions from the forum on going ahead with these. Concern being all of them I think will not have a diff lock and how does that matter in the long run?? Personally if the pathfinder is good after checks , I will go ahead with it with some negotiation on price because it's quite cheap and probably easier to maintain. Thanks in advance

Hi Everybody, Can anybody suggest a reliable workshop in Al Quoz area for my 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer? I'm looking for a place to do regular maintenance works, some small enhancements & upgrades etc... After almost 10 drives in the desert, I am happy with the performance of the car. But since it's an old car, some features are not working such as powered window, side mirror adjustments, water pump of wipers etc... I'm thinking to do these ehancements gradually along with the regular maintenance works. Last but not the least, I don't want to spend a fortune on these works like every human being

My question is regarding Electric cars can they charge themselves while watching the movies, If not what will happen if they run out of battery while keeping the AC running.

Both of you are right and both of your concern has been addressed very well in the above picture (if its real). @Shamil cars ideally shouldn't overheat at idle for long hours, but of course they do take a lot stress by running idle with AC on. If car engine cooling system is less than perfect then surely car will overheat. But again chances of getting overheat is extremely high during day time than in the evening, when temperature is less. Secondly if cars are parked too close to each other then they breath in hot air (just like in stop and go traffic) and have higher chances to overheat. But as per above picture they have maintained the good social distancing in between cars to have fresh air circulating to prevent any overheating of car engine. @Wrangeld as most of UAE cars are well maintained due to annual test which fails vehicle with high HC count, and they are parked in open air, and parked with a big gap, so chances of anyone feeling the CO is next to none. You feel more burning eyes in malls parking during traffic jam as they are closed and they use fan exhaust system to remove the CO from the basement atmosphere.

Great question Shamil, I think the biggest concern would be carbon monoxide poisoning for the passengers and anyone around the car if the engine is idling for 2 hours. For sure, I would not want to be the people walking round serving the food and drinks with 200 cars burning fuel not going anywhere - and the likelihood is you will not want to sit with the windows open because all the other cars are sitting there with their engines running and it's gonna make a terrible racket. Outdoor cinemas are for the winter here in Dubai in my view ... but until we can go inside again, it might be all there is. Having said that, once they open, every show will be like VIP because noone can sit anywhere near you!

Hi Deniz, I use a small shop called Rage Performance Garage (behind Sina Tires). They were looking after my Jeep for the previous owners and so far so good - but like Freddie says, finding a shop that is consistently good is like finding a unicorn. Ask for Ranjhod and you can mention my name. As long as you are upfront about expectations/budget/needs he will do what is required.

Don't be, you will have your time soon. You are on right track now. Keep it up and stay focus, you are doing very good.

Congrats!!

Finding a reliable workshop that is also cheap is like finding a unicorn in the desert. So far i've been happy with the services of Specialised Auto Care in Al Quoz nearby the Al Quoz Mall. As for all workshops you will need to keep tabs on them and be transparent in your expectations of budget and quality. Ask for Rishi who runs the place and you can determine the work and your budget together to avoid surprises. https://g.page/sacdubai?share

Congratulations quickie

Congrate @Nikhil Saju Paul enjoy the new status. See you soon in the sand.

Congrats @Nikhil Saju Paul !

I hate to say it but as a pure off road toy Get the TJ Wrangler. Make sure it's a hardtop and not a soft top. Comfort is not it's thing.

I think everyone pretty much covered everything here. Still my few points to help you get some clarity to make a perfect choice. Drive all of them as you are downsizing from comfy Patrol, see what matches to your driving standard as close as possible. If any of these 3 has a soft corner for you or your family, then go with that as you can't go wrong with any of these 3. Go strictly for road driven only, so that you can extract good usable off-road life out of Engine, Gearbox, 4x4, Suspension etc. the most costly stuff in any off-road vehicle.

Was a great day out after so long - thanks all !

Thank you for leading us yesterday Fred . Great trip, which I felt started on soft and tricky sand conditions and moved to harder sands as we approached Pink Rock. Thanks also for taking me a second lead. I was a good first time and will surely help me understand the role better. So, I provided a bit of shovel time for all (thank you all, maybe a good thing in these days of almost no physical activity?). An unforced error on my part, and a reminder that you cannot let your concentration drift, not even for a second... Thanks again Fred, and great to see everybody. VIDEO-2020-05-16-10-15-35.mp4

Thanks @Frederic it was a beautiful drive.

@Chaitanya D Hi, I think X terra is better option than pathfinder. It has good ground clearance. More power than Pathfinder Latest model than pathfinder and TJ There are many who use's X terra. And I have seen it doing extremely well in desert.

I don’t have much offroad experience, but I would go for the pathfinder. This is just from experience what I have seen with my own eyes from our group (Rahimdad and the other white Pathfinder, forgot his name) and also in other groups. The car has different versions of engines, try to get the one with the higher volume. @Rahimdad Rahimdad has the smaller one, he is doing fine with it, but he is also an expert and knows how to take everything with his relative smaller engine. Good luck with the choice.

I play skribbl.io with my 7 year old daughter and the Mrs. You'd be surprised (well I was anyways) how many words your kids know and can even spell them correctly! Also another discovery is that the Mrs is horrible at drawing! It's totally family friendly and no rude words come up.

Actually I am very lazy as far the it is regarding the things I don't like to do like Gym, Cooking, exercise. I actually hate kitchen work specially cleaning utensils, so for few days kept on ordering from outside restaurant's but later I started cooking at home. And I think, now I can prepare food better than earlier and looks like started taking interest in cooking 😝 I repeat the menu after few days and surprisingly taste keeps on changing so I would call it as a creativity 😂

Long hill climb Steep hill climb Riding the crest X - Tugging the 3-ton cars Self-recovery with a smile Crossing the sharpest crest with ease Escaping from stickiest sand pockets X - Keep me cool in 50 degrees X - Hit the highway at 140 Still, turn a lot of head after 20 years

For a second I thought you were referring to my Jeep XJ 😋

Ok you won me over buddy

Except: Long hill climb Steep hill climb Riding the crest Tugging the 3-ton cars Self-recovery with a smile Crossing the sharpest crest with ease Escaping from stickiest sand pockets Keep me cool in 50 degrees Hit the highway at 140 Still, turn a lot of head after 20 years