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The Desert is a Fickle Mistress Where to start? OK – firstly, an apology because not everyone on our drives will get an honorable mention in this message. Please (please) excuse me for that – for a start, I am unsure that the Carnity server has enough room for names of all the people with whom we enjoyed another spectacular day out in Al Qudra, secondly, this was such an epic group of drivers that I may have lost track of one or two. Fortunately, Carnity never loses track of a driver, so we all made it home safely. For a Petrol Head like me, before we even got out of the parking lot to the deflation point, it was clear this was going to be a special drive. Not one, but three Hummers. A Range Rover (Sport) and the beast of beasts, a GMC Sierra AT4. Surrounded by assorted, Patrols, Land Cruisers, Jeeps, Pajeros and Trailblazers it looked more like the forecourt of a very spectacular 4x4 specialist than a troop ready to face the challenges of the sand. From a housekeeping perspective, with such a large group, everyone really appreciated and respected the need to be at the meeting point on time. Yes, it’s an early start, but that applies to everyone and waiting around in the cold is no fun when all you want to do is get into the dunes. After our briefing, because of the large number of vehicles we were split into 2 groups. My experiences from the Newbie drive are limited to the excellent leadership of @Gaurav, with whom we had yet to have the pleasure of a drive. @Srikumar led the other group, and could be heard from time to time over the radios, including one perfect moment when the instructions he was giving were the perfect guidance for the person who had refused on our drive! In general, due to the large amount of rain that fell recently the dunes in Al Qudra were quite benign early in the morning. The hard packed top layer meant that all the drivers felt like masters of the desert. On one side, that’s a fantastic entry point to the whole experience of off-roading – and is just as legitimate a ride as any other we might face, because hey, it’s gonna rain some time! On the other, this might give you just a little too much confidence in the dunes, and that would be a dangerous thing. With @Jeepie at the wheel it was smooth going as she managed to restrain what might have been my playful tendencies and drive excellently at the back of the pack. Conditions might have been benign for most of the ride but it was not without incident. As is ever the case, we had the chance to learn some new techniques. Thanks go to @Obaid.Sultan.1987 for cresting his car. Gaurav was able to show is how to remove the crest from the car rather than the other way round … or would have, had the sand not been so incredibly wet deep down and refusing to play ball! In the end, we got two recoveries for the price of one as we also go to see the kinetic ropes in action and even a winched recovery – not bad for a benign day out in the dunes! Reassembled, refreshed (thanks to all who brought and contributed to the tasty food and drinks) and debriefed it was clear that all the Newbies had had a great experience, enjoyed their day and mainly departed from the desert with their vehicles intact. @lucky appears to have not been so, again! As a recent Fewbie, and watching the drive from the passenger seat, I really enjoyed seeing how I must have looked/reacted but a few weeks ago and to see the confidence with which @Jeepie handled the drive. Hopefully we will see many of the first timers back again soon. It was great to meet everyone. To my great advantage and pleasure it was decided to return out into the desert for a Fewbie drive after lunch and prayers. Our numbers slimmed to 8 vehicles this drive showed once again that no matter how easy conditions might look going in a straight line over the dunes, side slipping, crest driving and cross axle moments completely change the nature of the experience. The ‘confidence’ from the morning drive dissipated and was quickly transformed into the concentration needed for the afternoon. We moved fast, we drove high up the ridges, we crested, we crossed and then we did it again and again and again, moving from one phenomenally beautiful location to another, eventually being led by @Frederic to the area around Solar park which was in equal measure, fun, technical and terrifying. This was big grin, at times sphincter tightening stuff. For this Fewbie there were more than enough challenges and challenging moments to satisfy any potential frustration from sitting through the Newbie drive. Did we get stuck? Yes, of course (in my case anyhow) – but truth is that something that might have been a challenging refusal a few weeks ago was managed with more ease and calm thanks once again to the excellent coaching we received since we joined this incredible organization. And, hey! If you’re not getting stuck, you’re not trying hard enough. A big thanks to @Jeepie who left me in the driving seat for the whole of the Fewbie drive. For me that was important because my big takeaway from this week was that a little more skill and care changes the driving experience massively. Engine power can get you out of a lot of trouble, but a bit more skill and a bit less power means you have a lot more control and meet and match the challenges much more effectively. Five weeks ago, could I have imagined driving round the lip of a bowl and successfully coming out the other side? Five weeks ago, I would have been either too terrified to try or too stupid to realize that trying was complete idiocy. I truly hope someone has the video because that was an even more ‘yeehah’ moment from what was a fantastic ride. @Gaurav, thanks for taking up places we did not expect to be this early in the 4x4 career. @Frederic, thanks for leading us to your back yard. @Srikumar @Xaf your advice on how to improve is/was always appreciated and taken on board (after all you were looking at my tail pipes most of the day! @AKR keeping the faith with Jeeps with you is a pleasure. @Tbone, first time out as a Fewbie, impressive. Am I looking forward to the next outing? Of course. Where else can we learn in such a safe environment with such professional and friendly people. Thanks, once again for being allowed to join this family.

The family keeps growing and that’s what makes it so worthwhile waking up in the morning and seeing those people who are hungry for some adventure. @Gaurav came back with a bang and baptised the Pajero for a wonderful 2020. Good to have you back buddy. @Srikumar Your briefings are the main secret ingredient why we hardly have to take out shovels and ropes. People hit the sand and understand the basics and keep a cool head. @Obaid.Sultan.1987 got crested with the mighty big Range Rover but kept the smile on his face and I saw he truly enjoyed the drive as I was driving behind him. Due to the larger convoy, our Fewbies got the tasks to either sweep, take second lead, or help out their fellow team members. @Ale Vallecchi @AKR @Adam Marston @Xaf @Wrangeld @Jeepie @tjsingh a shoutout to all of you. I heard really good feedback from you guys. Carrying knowledge forward is a great thing and makes the group become a real tight family. Looking forward to many more of these drives !

Wonderful trip report @Wrangeld that left me and sri with lots of less words in our trip reports, if we still feel necessary to write on lazy Saturday evening. Many Thanks @Srikumar, @Frederic, @Lucky sAm, @Wrangeld, @Obaid.Sultan.1987, @Ale Vallecchi, @Jeepie, @Xaf, @Rizwanm2, @Edward Davies, @AKR, @Adam Marston, @Amit0103, @tjsingh, @Brette, @Mahmoud Hamzawy, @Seldon, @Matti Brockman, @Joe Biju Joseph, @IMAMP, @adelishakk, @Kavindu Avanka, @Tbone, @Junaid Khalid, @Martin., @Mostafa Taha For waking up early and showing up on the meeting point on and before time. I truly love when people are on time to respect each other time. This was my first drive after a long break and I was equally charged up and waiting to see the dunes and new faces after a long time. Looks like Carnity wanted to welcome my Pajero come-back with so many new faces that I think it was a second biggest turn out for the newbie drive with 28 cars. With the help of rain and hard surface, all newbie got a leverage to learn at a much discounted rate and everyone did wonderfully great within their vehicle capabilities and attentiveness during the briefing. I really appreciate everyone's patience and enthusiasm to learn off-roading in a proper structured manner than just hitting the dunes blind-folded. Few minutes of reading, listening and slow pace drive might look boring in the beginning, but I bet as you slowly climb the ladder you will appreciate the slow and steady learning curve. All our off-road briefings are kept to bare essential to get started as fast as we can, so that remaining part newbies can learn on the drive, during the recoveries and by observing the technical recoveries. I highly recommend every newbie to go through each pinned topic on the offroad club homepage: https://carnity.com/clubs/off-road-club and general discussion section: https://carnity.com/forums/forum/588-discussions to learn more about what we aren't able to share and explain in the morning briefing. These topics will answer lot of your curious questions and put you in a right track if you wish to pursue further: How to get promotions? What are different level of drives? What all offroad and safety gears are required? What is Carninty grading structure and how to get offroad certification? Please share your feedback that will help us learn new things from newbie perspective:

@Wrangeld I have lately started looking forward to reading your trip reports. There are no words in my vocabulary to describe your writing skills other than to say it's pure poetry and makes us relive each moment of what was a wonderful day.

bird watchers asked, is that not a Crested Range Rover?

Hey Guys // if anyone is not able to take out time for pictures uploading , watsapp them over to me @ 0508494707 & I’ll update them in Gallery ! cheers! White RRS. 😁

Guys you have amazing spirit am really more & more interested to get within your group Looking forward for the next ride and can't wait to see the dunes again

Thanks for adding the wall of fame Gaurav. I really could not remember everyone!

Hi, yes that belongs to me. Will WhatsApp you to collect it

Did somebody forget this lunchbox yesterday?

Hi guys, thank you for arranging today's fantastic ride, I enjoyed the day to the max.. The group is amazing and very friendly For sure will join you next ride insha'allah just let me know and here is my number 050-5813388 Nice to meet you all and looking forward for more adventures

Congratulations @Tbone for reaching the fewbie level with Carnity Offroad club. Based on your first 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. 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 Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels.

All that extra weight you carry because of the body extension and extra axel and wheels negate any precived advantage. It's one of those Jeeps things that no one gives a shit about other than jeepers like your twin front diff jeep which should belong together in the same collection of bullshit wranglers. Maybe have them over as part of to the soon to open off road museum in Sharjah in the mods gone wrong section

Congrats @Tbone ! You managed very well !

Metro 6R4. Mid engined NA V6. 253 bhp, up to 410 bhp depending on version. 5 speed manual, permanent 4wd with front and rear LSD. Proper supercar destroyer https://youtu.be/bwvDFvLiIqQ Original 6r4 version

It's not the cloth it's the adhesive. And they all pretty much use the same. Bison kit carpet glue which comes in a can. It's an easy one day job. I'd go for the 250 guy even if it lasts 3 years and you have to do it again still outlasts the warranty of the other guy and is still cheaper.

@Shareef Al Romaithi, @Kavindu Avanka, @alifaruqi, @Vic, @Tbone Welcome to Carnity offroad club. Please RSVP the drive calendar if you guys are joining for tomorrow's Qudra drive.

I am coming as well! 😊

Hi All, My Honda Accord 2012 headliner sagged a bit down on top of Driver & Passenger side; it has a fabric material not Alcantra. I managed to call a couple of auto upholstery shops in Sharjah and everyone saying they shall remove the old cloth, clean the board and put a new matching color cloth. Just wondering if a DIY is possible to paste the removed cloth back as it is only a portion of it, or else if some fellow could recommend a place who could do the same thing rather than a new cloth installation.

Great shot 👍👍👏

Posted my photos in the gallery and looking fwd to see more from others. https://carnity.com/gallery/category/172-newbiefewbie-drive-al-qudra-17-jan-2020

And that's where written guarantee on the receipt kill all doubts, misinformation, lies and shenanigans.

My point is you probably going to sell you car way before it goes again and plus one of my real good friends had a car upholstery shop in Ajman and I basically spent a lot of time there for many years so I know most of their shenanigans in and out.

Fabric may look same but it has lot of difference as the foam or the rough area at back is the secret to hold the glue. And not just the glue or the application. Thing that fails in UAE heat is the foam behind the fabric and not just glue alone. I'd go with 5 year warranty guy if you intend to keep the car for a long time, as you also need to factor the downtime and inconvenience of leaving the car for few days and not alone the cost.

Six wheels might be kind of useful on something like a Land Cruiser. But on a Jeep, six wheels are only good for what exactly? It does not even look good- in fact, it makes this Jeep look like donkey with a serious birth defect.

265/60/R18 and 265/65/R17 will be almost identical. If you are increasing the width from 265 to 275 keeping the aspect ratio at 65, then you are increasing both width as well as height. You might have rubbing issues.

I think that's the tire size of @Roshan Abraham. Roshan can you share your experience?

IMPORTANT UPDATE Due to an ongoing cycling event it seems the Al Qudra Parking might be closed tomorrow morning, so the meeting point has been shifted just besides the Qudra Parking. Exact Location is provided below: Near Emirates NBD - ADNOC Last Exist Al Qudra Al Lisaili - Al Qudra Rd - Dubai https://goo.gl/maps/kq8sT5a6ZGuJR67V8 In case of any difficulty you can give me, Gaurav or Fred a call. Our numbers are on the original drive post.

Welcome @Junaid Khalid to Carnity Off-road Club. See you tomorrow

Its "easy" for a company like Sony to make a car like that to show off but to make it cost efficient and make money on it that is something completely different....

Looking forward to my first ever desert driving experience in the U.A.E. I have a Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 2019 and as per the showroom guy this is stock ready for off-roading so please if am missing a thing then please let me know. Super excited!!!

Hi Frederic! Done 👍🏽

lets hope it doesn't rain tonight

Hi @Tbone. Are you joining in on the drive tomorrow ? If so please RSVP on the link in Srikumar his drive post.

Hi Mahmoud, You can buy them from Dragon Mart. Following models are tried and tested: - Motorola MT777: are also sold now under the Crony Brand - Baofeng UV-5R - Prolab WT-5WDB1 Other model is fine too, but make sure it is a UHF model and you can set the frequency manually. We are at 462.8875Mhz and can help you with setup and programming of above models.

Can you advice from where I can buy a radio? I can stop by any shop and get one

Thanks Matti, is your steel bumper has a tow hooks in front and back? As looping the rope might tear the rope.

I have a Jeep Wrangler 2 door model with 3 inch lift kit. The car has smittybilt steel bumbers where you can attach recovery equipment. Not an experienced driver...

Well actually Humvee are not even H2, it's name given for H1 only - real military grade with zero comfort

yup its a big convoy...btw there are 3 h3's not 2 ..quite ironical

It will look like a military convoy with 2 hummvees in it...so far 22 strong ...

Well done Obaid, please make sure you remove those plastic cover before the drive as sometimes they are easy to remove and sometimes they need few tools and patience. Appreciate if you can come to meeting point little early by 6:30, so that I can spend sometime in checking your car before the drive without delaying the whole convoy. You can call me once you reach the meeting point: 050 5258706

Yes. Signup for the drive and also let us know which car you drive, do you have front and rear tow hooks in good condition and any previous offroading experience.

Hi...Still possible to join tomorrow event? I am interested

Next up, the apple car

It’s not the puddles I worry about, it’s what’s under them. You could be driving nicely along in a 2-3 inch puddle and fall into a big pothole and never see it.

@Lucky sAm, @Obaid.Sultan.1987, @Rizwanm2, @Edward Davies, @Incognitoes, @Amit0103, @Mahmoud Hamzawy, @Seldon @Matti Brockman, if you do have your own two way radios please bring them along, we can set them up to Carnity frequency after the briefing. If you dont have, we carry spare radios which we can provide for the drive. Its important that everyone is on time at the meeting point, i.e., 6:45 AM as the convoy will move sharp at 7:00 AM Thank you Seldon for the details, you are already well equipped for the newbie drive. Regarding the base plate for the jack, its not an urgent requirement and we have few experienced guys who can guide you where to get them.

Srikumar I have done some off-roading but not in the desert yet. Looking forward to the drive. Details of my ride. 2017 Mutsubishi Montero Sport, Full 4WD with 2 front tow hooks a rear class 3 receiver on rear with D shackle. Still looking for the following equipment. One soft shackle-so far I have not been able to force myself to pay 150 for a piece of rope Base plate for jacking vehicle - A solid piece of wood - not sure where to get this. I already have the following Kinetic recovery rope Two Rated D shackle 2T trolley Jack. Tyre deflator - Shovel Spare tyre in good shape Air compressor - 130l/min Mechanical tools Fire extinguisher (Dry Powder) Flag pole including flag Communication device (Walkie-talkie) See y'all tomorrow. Seldon

@tjsingh yes it should not be a problem for the Newbie drive. See you tomorrow. @Mahmoud Hamzawy welcome to Carnity Off-road Club. Could you provide some details about your ride? 1. Which 4x4 do you drive? 2. Does your 4x4 have front and rear recovery points 3. Have you had any previous offroading experience?

Nope, i bought it from an international trucker who took it on his trailer on the way back from UK to Belgium. It still had the UK license plate on it. But classic cars can be definitely registered in Belgium if they are either LHD or RHD.