Varun Mehndiratta

Hi I have a Sahara...was a question I evaluated for weeks before I made the choice... Key elements you need to evaluate are : A. if this is going to be your daily drive or weekend drive.. B Do you like Jeep in it's stock form or going for jeep with plan to do upgrades. C. If really planning for offroading, would it be more of desert or treading the rocky mountains.. D. And ofcourse the budget. I choose Sahara, as I had no plans for major mods (at least not on immediate basis). Like my Jeep in stock form and since it was also going to be my daily drive wanted to have some basic features - leather finish and seats, bigger screen, better sound system, adaptive cruise and blind spot, forward coliison warning etc. I went for limited edition on Sahara and paid premium for adaptive cruise control (generally in Jeep this is the last thing ppl pay for but that's personal choice - though a jeep I want smart features as well.). Another friend who bought at same time as me went for sports and spent the money he saved on mods.. Eventualy having spent almost same amount, On cool/styling scale, his vehicle surely is at higher level than mine - bigger wheels, awesome custom leather finish, a bit of lift etc. However he can't have comfort feature which I have stock in my vehicle. Plus for me all finishing is stock/company warranted, a big factor for me. So it's all on personnel choice.. Reg. Rubicon and Sahara for me was about budget. Perhaps a case of sour grapes I convinced myself that More sturdier and bigger wheels on Rubicon will make the ride bumpier on daily basis. I am sure if budget wouldn't have been an issue I would have preferred Rubicon over Sahara. Just the looks and feel of Rubicon is much better, ofcourse diff locks, dana 44 axles are big plus especially if planning to hit rocky terrain.

Congrats @AlexPol

Hi @Foxtrot Oscar kindly add me to wait list 2nd drive of week.

Oh I thought we were going to have a colorful Holi drive over this weekend..or is it the next weekend...😃😃 @Gaurav @Rahimdad bhai any thoughts

Thanks @Janarthan @Tbone for leading us through this lovely terrain - two diff leading styles in one ride made it even better .@Abu Muhammad @Hisham MasaadMasaad thanks for your support through the trip.. It was first dive through this area and it was super.fun over those ridges... Forgot to add that electric Jack and wrench was really cool, something I would surely go for, especially as we approach summer.time... @Hisham Masaad do share link if you find it. @Frederic any thoughts on the same? I think it's this one https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B07YZ7HHP6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_C05HR807SBEP9PNNM0JE @Hisham Masaad can confirm

Everytime I think that this week I will join the weekday drive, someone or the other fills up my calendar with a meeting invite. Next Sunday I am going to block my calendar in advance. No work after 2pm...😃😃

Hi @Tbone just noticed time is 6am. Is the plan to start off (deflated) at 6am or is 6am meetup time?. .I believe sunrise time is at around 645am these days... I am okay either ways ..just to plan accordingly.

Hey @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ this was always going to be a struggle (almost close to not feasible)...I hope I could come close (at least being able to follow the tracks you left behind)...Thanks a lot, with you leading the tracks, makes it look so much smoother and easier to follow.. @Niki Patel Hope the LWB Wrangler didn't create too much havoc for you to follow.

Thanks Thomas ... Its surely going as my profile pic...🙂

Thanks Ale for the wonderful ride... Was a fast paced tech drive with lots of ridges, steep side sslopes...and as always with your off the grid selection of terrains, we had Camels, oryx's to keep us company.. Thanks to the whole team for making it fun..

Great...I will be following the master craftsman @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ ...this is going to be fun, reminded me of my Absolute newbie with Carnity (guess was.l your first drive with your jeep).. See you all tomo

Thats a cool installation @Ahab Shamaa - Molle's been on my wishlist for few months, pending Finance Minister's approval.. especially as used last approval on Lego and previous one on camera lens. N all offroading Must Hv gears.😀 Some day.... Till then will survive on straps..

Of course Rahim bhai...there's no reason to not have good spirits...it's the addictive adrenaline rush of desert drive that keeps us all waiting for the booking window to open and wake up early in morning over a weekend to be there for drive😀

Thanks @Rahimdad bhai. I had the exact picture in mind as you described...it's very similar to when we learned those brush strokes in art class...smoother and relaxed the approach better is the outcome... Have been trying to put it in action over last couple of drives, has affected my pace a bit but then that's something can always get better with more drives ... @Frederic tips on side slope and criss crossing are surely something i revisit before and after each drive...just to remind my brain of the basics and assess what I missed out on at particular instant... Really like the way you emphasized on fact - it's not about trying hard but enjoying it and feeling the smooth sail.. Holding a brush hard does not produce much of an art...😀 For me the struggle hasn't been about stucks or major refusals..just the inner drive to do it with better finesse and grace.. On one of the drives saw a team of UAE adventure club, three Jeeps of same colors criss crossing through dunes in flawless sync...even the distance between them didn't change through the drive....that's the goal...was a beautiful well choreographed performance .😀 Same as we see it with our leads at Carnity ..

True... i guess gap is also about those split secs where the thoughts turn from How should I approach it to Okie i can do it this way....perhaps with experience and practice this time gets better.....Ok i think I am getting to my introspecting mode..

Hi @Srikumar true this is a very important point....one key thing I have been observing over last few drives is how smoothly (with limited or no footprint) the marshalls or even some of more experienced drivers in a convoy adjust to a changing terrain... One of the reason I felt is ability to judge the exact amount of momentum required for an obstacle and one's car's ability to manage it at a specific rpm... New to very steep dunes and slopes, i personally felt that at times I was churning the sand a bit too much especially at end of series of big bowls. And when I tried to reduce it the doubt at back of mind led to refusals and slower pace... I am sure experience and practice are one way, however would appreciate if any tips around it.

Oh goodness....split seconds and I would have lost the slot...😀

Hey @Ale Vallecchi thought next time we do Little Sweihan the plan was to do a longer drive. . in any case looking forward for this one, was fun as Fewbie drive, really keen to explore this as Fewbie plus this time...

I think the one I mentioned was on 26th Dec, a Newbie i believe...if ever get chance do explore it...

Oh then you missed the RAK drive in December. It was close.to area that you refer to and was awesomely scenic...again thanks to @Ale Vallecchi and @Wrangeld for exploring that track...was simply the most scenic drive i have been to.

Yeah @Wrangeld sorry for the last min change in plans...working over weekend sucks and missing the chance to explore Faya under your leadership, double sucks..😭

Hi Richard @Wrangeld seems you missed my message. I won't be able to join this weekend.

Hi @Wrangeld won't be able to join for the drive. Got some office engagement tomo morning. Sorry for late information .

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Beautiful pics Thomas...