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Dear DesernautsUAE, I cannot believe it's Tuesday already. It seems truly, as if the weeks are folding one into the other in a blur. Before the drive Friday, I wanted to develop the thinking just a bit more behind the limited RPM. My aim is to find a way to have a truly exciting drive while maintaining a limited rev range. To achieve that we are all going to have to see if we can learn how to climb using different techniques, slide slope and criss-cross using drive skill alone. When we started driving in the sand, it's likely that the drive lead told you to put your foot to the floor - that was because most are shy to use the power to start with: and then it becomes a sort of addiction, because we can often power our way out of trouble. The more experience we get, the more we try to finesse our style so that it looks graceful and as if we are simply floating across the sand. I watch long distance runners who glide majestically along the tarmac, not seeming to breathe (where I would be gasping for breath after 10 meters), cyclists that power their cycles up mountains with barely a sway in their movement and the fastest laps on an F1 Grand Prix are always the ones that when you watch them the car does not really look like it's going that fast. That's how I want to feel when I am in the sand, so it looks effortless, like the car is gliding across the sand, as if the car simply floats above the ground. Will it work? I have no idea. This is a bit of an experiment. I've driven through the desert on very low revs to recover stricken cars where they cannot be pushed, but never lead with the express purpose of leading a convoy to achieve the same. I think it's going to be fun trying. And if it all turns out to be too much ... See you soon in the sand.

While we have been enjoying night drives in this hot summer, it is important we are well aware as to what needs to be done in case of a creeper bite in the dark. Desert is their home and we are the "invaders" , and hence instinctively they can bite us in self defense. Scorpions and snakes are more active at night and hence it is required you know what needs to be done when this can occur SNAKES: a quick pictorial review of snakes which can be found in UAE. Snakes can be venomous (Poisonous) and non venomous(Non poisonous) Non venomous 1. Blind Snake Non venomous 2. Thread Snake Non venomous 3. Sand Boa Non venomous 4. Wadi Racer Non venomous 5. False Cobra Non venomous 6. Sand racer - Hissing snake Non venomous Venomous Snakes - Poisonous - the Triangular faced Vipers are dangerous which are the only poisonous snakes found in UAE 1. Saw Scaled Viper - Poisonous 2. Sand Viper - Poisonous 3. False Horned Viper -Poisonous Vipers are the only venomous snakes in the UAE, and are found mostly in desert and rocky mountain areas. Snake bites are extremely rare, and most occur when a snake is picked up/ felt it is in danger. The Venom from UAE Vipers is Haemotoxic (destroys blood cells) Sometimes puncture wounds can be seen at site of the bite. Bite is generally not very painful but within one hour copious bleeding is likely from the bite wound and any other wounds cuts or scratches the victim may have. Symptoms include a severe headache, nausea and vomiting. It’s helpful to restrict the blood and lymphatic flow, but it’s important not to cause bruising which can lead to bleeding under the skin. If Venom is spat in to a person’s eyes use any liquid available, preferably a neutral one such as water or milk – but anything at all will do, to flush out the eye. Do's and Don'ts of Treating Snake Bite Symptoms usually manifest soon after a snake bite, so observing the victim is extremely important. If no symptoms have occurred within half an hour of the bite then indications would be that it was not a venomous snake, it failed to inject any venom or the snake was very old and had little or no venom left. Do Try to identify the snake; color, size, shape of head, attacking method are useful. Take a picture with mobile if feasible but don't chase the snake. Loosen the Victim’s clothing and move them in to comfort. Keep the victim calm and still; movement will increase blood flow and transport the venom to the heart much faster. Immobilize the limb but do NOT restrict blood flow unless you are certain the bite was from a snake that delivers neurotoxic venom. Clean and dress the wound being careful not to apply pressure and cause bruising. Inform the trip lead/support IMMEDIATELY so that he/she can manage a exit quickly to the tarmac. Do Not While there can be differences of opinion as to what we should do for snake bites the consensus of opinion as to what not to do is reasonably consistent: Allow the victim to exercise or stress themselves. Cut the bite or attempt to suck the venom out. Give the victim anything to eat or drink especially alcohol. Use potassium permanganate crystals or solution near or on the bite wound. Use soapy water round the bite wound. Leave pressure bandages on too long. Leave the victim alone. Apply ice to the wound. Soak the affected limb in any solutions. How to avoid this extremely rare occurrence in the desert on Night drives 1. Compulsorily wear thicker full pants and ankle boots. Least being a full covered shoes. Coming in shorts and flip flops/slippers means you are voluntarily increasing the risk 2. Refrain from walking in bushy areas . 3. In a unusual scenario of shovelling near bushes make sure you have a clearly lit area to make sure there aren't any . 4. Please use a bright torch and look where you step while taking biobreaks! Do not take biobreaks near bushes. Safer you stay inside your vehicle at all times , unless needed. SCORPIONS: Scorpion stings are painful but rarely life-threatening. There are about 25 species of scorpion in the UAE, two of which are known to release venom that can lead to nausea, shock and irregular heartbeat. 1. Fat Tailed Scorpion - large and Black 2. Deathstalker - Smaller (about 5 cm) and Yellow in color - More Dangerous Signs and symptoms at the site of a scorpion sting may include: Pain, which can be intense Numbness and tingling Slight swelling Warmth What to Do in case of a bite Identify if possible , or take a picture Announce immediately for quicker exit How to avoid this occurrence in the desert on Night drives 1. Compulsorily wear thicker full pants and ankle boots. Least being a full covered shoes. Coming in shorts and flip flops/slippers means you are voluntarily increasing the risk 2. Refrain from walking in bushy areas . 3. In a unusual scenario of shovelling near bushes make sure you have a clearly lit area to make sure there aren't any . 4. Please use a bright torch and look where you step while taking biobreaks! Do not take biobreaks near bushes . Safer you stay inside your vehicle at all times , unless needed.

Hi @Islam Solimanunfortunately I have to exit the drive as I joined the Fewbie plus drive for tomorrow. This will benefit me for future drives as the home affairs department will be happier I am home on Friday Looking forward to driving with you all next time!

Also would be nice to note. Be careful of fire ants, centipedes, spiders specifically the camel spider (their venom doesn’t do anything to us but will leave a nasty infection) I found a website which actually has which explains the wilderness of the UAE (plants, animals and insects. The mentioned instructs can be found there and explained in more detail) https://www.ddcr.org/en/index.aspx @Gregory I think your son would enjoy reading on this website.

He mentioned as “Happier” only and not as theres no permission!!!

Thats a political way of describing it "home affairs" @Humayun Ghias 😂😂 as if there is no power at all🤣🤣. Any way have a nice weekend with the family, it is really good to spend the friday together.

Thanks @Shehab Alawadhi for adding more information and the website link. Always nice to improve on what we know

@Islam Solimani added myself to the drive rsvp

Dear Desertnauts. Last minute info about tomorrow's drive. We'll meet a short distance after the Solar Park "glass pyramid", pointing in a westerly direction, parallel to the bike track, which we'll follow as much as possible, until we reach a sand track that will take us to Little Sweihan. Here we'll explore its length, multiple times, each one moving further south, until we'll reach the sabkha that separates this area from the northern reaches of Abu Dhabi (without ever coming close to the border). There'll be plenty to practice, from finesse driving in tight dunes, to faster pace, roller-coaster bowl riding, and criss-crossing sharp dunes, often ruffled by the string winds that sweeps the area. Our convoy order will be as follows: @Lakshmi Narasimhan in Second Lead @Ashok chaturvedi will follow at #3 @Humayun Ghias at #4 @Russ will be #5 @Darren Brooke at #6 @Ranjan Das will take spot #7, and @Gok Krish will Sweep. No Center Forward, as each driver will take care of the cars in front and behind, with my assistance. We'll pick the Carnity Channel at the meeting point. Come ready to drive, as punctual as possible, so we may depart as close to 4:00PM as possible. See you tomorrow.

5 Wranglers and all 4 doors 😀 flanked by the Pajeros !!!

@Chaitanya D thanks for this.... Pictures very helpful too. My 10 year old son was very interested to read the article too 😂🙏

Thank you very much @Anish S @Lorenzo Candelpergherand @Amir Amiri for another fantastic drive !!! I feel more and more comfortable driving in the desert mainly thanks to drives like this one, where I learn while feeling safe and fully supported. Thanks also to all drivers, well done guys !!! See you on the dunes !

@M.Seidam you're always welcome to post. I think we all accept the basic premise that different factors will influence each drive, dune, day etc. We are not necessarily aiming for consistency in this activity - repeatability is a science lab concept often far removed from the reality of the situation. The aim is to understand how much control and capability we can squeeze out of the self imposed limits we apply. While I have done recovery drives where we set (actually a) Lower limit on the RPM I have never consciously sought to self limit on the RPM and see what can still be achieved. I am convinced of 2 things. 1. We are going to learn something about our cars that we did not know before this. 2. We will learn a lot about our normal driving style - because by making this change we will find how this differs (or not) from how we drive normally

@Alain Canivet-Abikhalil @Ben84 @Anoop Nair @Marwan Haddad @Sunil Mathew @Gaurav Soni Good Afternoon Everybody, My apologies for sending the convoy list late, it is just because there was some waitlists to manage and then followed by numerous last minute drop out. So i had to make few changes to the initial convoy list. As you can see we have a sweet and short convoy today, really looking forward to see you all for some good fun drive. We will be using Channel 3 (44605625)

Hi Richard, if you allow me to post here in this drive post 🙏 I read all the above mentioned info , the context and idea is nice I have been experimenting different inputs to My Xterra , 2 tons V6 with almost 270 HP . all the time in the different attempts ( usually 2 to 3 ) the outcome was different e.g feya ( maybe not ideal spot ) . I tried to be constant after reaching ground momentum just before take off in many attempt I had to navigate slightly the imaginary path trying not to alter but half way I had to shift to gear 1 to keep the RPM same or else just before hitting 1000 RPM immediately I exit down. What I am trying to say is there are many factors is governing to what some one is intended to accomplish. Terrain , softness , slope angle , vehicle type , drivers skills ( drivers factors / vehicle factors / terrain factors )

I really like this engineering approach @PaoloMaraziti and will try to incorporate a few of these theoretical how to ideas in these posts. The A/B testing idea is also fantastic as long as the convoy is OK with that stopping and starting (maybe better suited for a masterclass where we can take the time to experiment?) In essence, yes, this is about how to get your car to glide and run smoothly, but also how can you approach an obstacle in a different way (as you mention). Is there a way to build momentum to cross a high dune by circling round and building up momentum instead of powering up the dune? What approach angle do you take to criss-cross that might be different with different power at your disposal? Also you are of course correct. 2500RPM in a V8 Hemi is going to look quite different to 2500RPM in a Suzuki Jimny. If the drivers of the larger vehicles see no difference (which maybe they will not) they can always take the challenge and lower their RPM to experience that feeling. Once other addition to my earlier post. We will be looking into how to drive through technical dunes as well. If there is an area of expertise where finesse is more important than power, it's in getting through the technical dunes ...

confirmed. I will take the absolute newbie on Friday morning and then ( of all goes well) will join the evening ride at 6pm...

Thanks @Chaitanya D for this post. Informative and good to know the donts !

@Carnity should find a solution for the tension, members are going through every Sunday 7 pm 🤔🤔 imagining all eyes on the mobiles and fingures keeping pushing to refresh the website 🤣🤣

Well team, I've gone and done it. I have bought and fitted a Chronos 4x4 Traction control defeat switch. Why? mainly because it allows you to mimic a locker front diff by using TC to control front wheel spin when the trans is in 4Llc and diff lock engaged. Another benefit is that instead of popping the bonnet and removing the fuse for the TC/ABS/ASC I can now flick a switch and acheive the same effect. I know that I will enjoy this upgrade since twice now I have been out in the world (not on an off road jaunt) and had cause to drive off the tarseal in order to take a short cut and both times the Gadgero has more or less refused to move believing that all the wheels are spinning and just bogging down and groaning in distress. Now I can hit the switch and getterdun!!! I am off to paradise (Sweihan) on Friday morning so I will report back on the success or otherwise of my folly. Wish me luck.

I recently passed my Xterra with the metal bumper and offroad lights and I thought i would share my experience so that others with modifications/considering modifications may learn from the same. I stuck masking tape around my offroad lights and I attached rubber pads on my metal bumper which made the truck compliant enough for passing. So people with similar modifications could try these steps.

Looking forward, see you all tomorrow!!!

Jeez it was only two weeks ago!

Each car has different ratios and torque - so I think we might be looking more at whether low gear ratios assist or not than defining the specific gear for the area. Anyhow @varunmehndiratta, you will get the chance to test this as I am adding you to the drive.

@PaoloMaraziti i was really looking forward to the drive and reading the thread and Richard's summary I can only hope for a repeat ride in the future. All is good however I am required for the family duties which i must prioritize - truly appreciate you checking in! Knowing you are sporting a new pair of shoes - i am even more gutted as would have been a great trip to join together and share experiences. Remember to run the new tires in this week so take a few more highway miles on them ready for Friday (on a recent Extreme drive one of the team had a new set of wheel put on and hadn't run them in which caused a pop out ... plenty time to run them and the seal in this week!) .. i will be monitoring the thread so am keenly waiting for the post ride reports and feedback! Have a super ride and drive with confidence ... your new coopers will make you feel like you have ballet shoes on I may ask to be put on a wait list incase circumstances change later this week however at the moment i will enjoy the ride through you and your report my friend. PS we were all in awe of your Yeti cool box and the glamorous/luxury refreshments you stocked!

I am temped to join this drive, yet I will continue with my plan hoping we will have another similar drive soon.

@Anish S can we please use any channel other than channel 1 as the noise is unbearable on my radio

@Anish S- sorry wont be able to attend today’s drive due to work commitments

Confirmed, thanks.

@Lakshmi Narasimhan @hasan hamadeh @GauravSoni all of you will be added , do you confirm

Thank you @M.Seidam Friday drives require me to re arrange a lot of family commitments and hence will exit the Friday one and looking forward to this one

@Ale Vallecchi please waitlist me for the drive… have a scheduled meeting at 4… hoping that it gets preponed!

Confirmed

So looking forward to this! Thank you for a weekday afternoon Fewbie plus drive! 🙏

You can join now it’s open

Would love to join! Don't see the calendar though. Will exit my already booked drive for the weekend if I am able to join this one.

At least 2500 is more then the. 1500 I experienced 😂👍🏾🎉🎉

Waitlist 1. Lakshmi N 2. Hasan Hamadeh

Dear @hasan hamadeh. As informed by @Chaitanya D, I'll be happy to have you in this Friday AM Absolute Newbie drive. Please sign into the drive's post to be listed as participating. After that, you'll be free to join any other Newbie drive, including the evening's Twilight drive. Looking forward to seeing you.

Thanks for your query @hasan hamadeh. You should join and complete a absolute newbie drive (this friday being led by @Ale Vallecchi). Upon which you can then join other drives with Carnity. The last Absolute newbie you joined was incomplete as you had to be exited early due to some mechanical issues with your car. As of now if you wish to join this drive ( Twilight on Friday evening - Lisaili to Margham) you have to remove your RSVP and mention to be waitlisted as 2nd drive RSVP are added from Tuesday. But for you to join this drive friday evening you should join the absolute newbie in the morning which is mandatory for all and complete it . Hope it is clear to you now. Enjoy your week

@Chaitanya DI would rather go on the 6 pm drive than the morning absolute newbie drive. I will sign out of the morning absolute newbie. does that work? @Chaitanya DI would rather go on the 6 pm drive than the morning absolute newbie drive. I will sign out of the morning absolute newbie. does that work?

Wow in less than 1 minute the drive is fully booked Definitely @Islam Solimandrives are becoming very popular

@Kailasthis is my second drive, request to be in waitlist

@Kailas can you place me in waiting list ?

@Roy Armale my experience is limited to driving manual with my Pajero. From what I am reading, i come to the following points: 1) every recovery should be in 4lo. Switch to low gear as soon as you find yourself stuck. Don’t even attempt in high gear as you’ll be burning your clutch very quickly. 2) 33 inch tyres are not gonna help you, that’s a fact. While they are still in good condition maybe consider selling them second hand. 3) Driving manual gear in the desert requires you to think about your momentum at all times. Mostly you’ll be driving in second gear and sometimes first. The trick is to know when to upshift or downshift. This will come with practice and practice and practice. To me it feels like you’re overthinking too much especially since you don’t have sand off-roading experience yet. 4) Don’t drive in low gear. You might get away with it for a while, but soon your transfer case internals will be overheating. Low gear is meant to recover and off-road very slowly (like rock crawling). Not for anything faster than 20kmh.

Upon instructions from @Veedooshee , see how @Roy Armale Nicly self recovered . 👍

Thanks for sharing @Shamil bhai, surely this will help a lot of people who want to modify their rides.

Since I stuck the rubber pads, it was fine. They did mention in the test results however that the front bumper is modified.

thanks @Gaurav bhai, I literally stuck this just minutes before i got to the passing center and removed it after the passing because it looks quite odd on the roads 😂