Rahimdad

@Adel Muradov we have a drive every weekend, but to satisfy all level of drivers we alternate weeks to newbie and intermediate. This week is going to be intermediate which means you can join our newbie drive the week after.

Bus from Sharjah near my house AED 10 and takes me to the Metro Station. Ferry ticket cost AED 15, I need to take a cab AED 15 to Sharjah Ferry station and drops of on Deira Ferry station. Have to walk 10-15 minutes to reach a metro station. I will stick to my car thank you.

Trip Report - What a brilliant night. Since @Adel Muradov and @Michael sammy couldn't make it to the drive we were left with no newbies. This situation allowed me to go for 4 options: A) Continue the newbie route but at a faster pace. Change the route completely to head to the Iftar Bowl via a fast and challenging route. C) Head to Pink Rocks and make our way to Fossil Rock and Faya. D) Allow everybody on the trip to do short leads. Option D was selected by majority and we had 3 different drivers lead us with 3 different flavours and an ear to ear smile from all participants after the drive. First up was @Srikumar who really amazed me in the second lead as he managed to find some patches of virgin dunes in this area and made the ride amazingly smooth and pleasurable at a very nice pace. As neither @Srikumar felt like giving up the lead and we were enjoying it also, only the unfortunate incident with @Shamil could stop us in that moment. A check engine light appeared with no response from the accelerator. We stopped and tried a few home remedies before the car had power of its own and throttle was restored. The engine light was still on as we headed out to 2nd December Cafe. But @Gaurav bhai idea was spot on that with the car moving on its own power reset the battery and the check engine light should disappear. Just like magic, now you see it, with a quick battery removal and back again, now you don't. @Shamil was tempted to continue but with safety in mind and listening to the seniors he left with a big smile. Hope your ride is sorted @Shamil bhai. From here @Gaurav bhai wisked us to behind the Pink Rocks from where @Frederic picked up the pace. With me in second lead I was enjoying it thoroughly riding behind our 2nd Velociraptor in the club. He drove confidently at good pace with just a line to follow between the Pink Rocks and the Big Red. It seems he is born to lead with amazing resolve on his first lead. After about an hour of fun @Gaurav bhai decided to take the lead and wanted to take us over the highest and most challenging dunes in the area. At this point @Frederic took second lead and I fall back to sweep duties. The next hour was spent behind the most experienced hand in the club and carried its own fun. The radio blared to prepare for the last fast 10 minutes that would require us to be at our level best. But as it happens sometimes the last 10 or 30 minutes turn to a nightmarishly long affair. Soon we had a refusal and with some pushing of the vehicle the smell of the clutch burning was evident on either side of the dune. Quickly we all gathered and decided to give our vehicles and ourselves a well deserved break with some nice breakfast. Sandwiches, bread, chocolates, juices and tea was overflowing as we feasted. As soon as our minds were free and relaxed the idea of further deflation came into @Frederic mind which is always helpful. This time with @Gaurav bhai behind the wheel was able to take it out in 2 tries. He admitted that he got greedy on the first attempt which caused a bit of a fail, but second attempt was perfectly timed. This got us to the end of the drive, inflation of our tires and hitting the road again to spend the remaining weekend in the comfort of our homes with our families. Also a shout out to @shadow79 who has wholeheartedly joined every drive after the return of his Rav4 and always willing to help with any situation that raises its ugly head. Until next time I bid you all farewell.

Long time no do. Great terrain. Count me in with full support.

Very true. I was looking for a Jeep Grand Cherokee some time back and came across a few. One looked like a good deal but when I saw and tested the car I told the guy the problems which it seems he was aware. After giving my price for the vehicle in all fairness with work to be done he just told me "Thanks for wasting my time" and walked off. I was like what a jerk. Never concerned myself with this rude guy and found myself a deal with a Jeep Commander. Plenty of cars out there, eventually you'll find a good one at the right price.

Sometimes driving back from a night drive I feel sleepy and nothing better than some 😴 by the rad side, but I converse with @Gaurav bhai over the radio which keeps me awake. The rest of the way I'm repeating the events of the drive to write my trip report which keeps me awake too.

Why don't you check with your friend in the Sharjah market, he is into these things.

@Adel Muradov. I agree with @Gaurav bhai. You are most welcome to join, just be 30 minutes early to the meeting point for Newbie brief. You can also go through theme posts that were suggested to @Michael sammy.

@Michael sammy welcome to Carnity. You are most welcome to join, but like @Gaurav bhai mentioned please be 30 minutes early for absolute newbie briefing and you're good to go.

Very sad indeed.

Thank you @Shamil for your query. As per my experience absolute first timers find it more difficult when they are not able to see where they are going and all experienced gained in night drives is n9t really helpful when they see the daylight. If your friend is willing to come and ready to be a passenger if at any point he feels uncomfortable, he is welcome to join. If he is coming let him sign up for the drive and be 30 minutes early at the meeting point so that we can give him the absolute newbie brief.

As the summer heat is in full form, our night drive is the only escape to enjoy the good breeze and pleasant weather in the desert (fingers crossed). This time we are heading to our much-loved sandbox of Pink Rock in Tawi Nazwa area. If time permit and convoy response are favorable, we might continue to Bidayer, if not then we will end at 2nd Dec cafeteria for easy exit. This area offers a great mix of playable dunes and medium dunes to test your night driving skills. Depending on convoy strength and liking will plan the route to fit everyone's taste. Offroad lights are recommended for a night drive, but if you don't have you can still safely drive with your HIGH BEAM. When: 25 July 2019, Thursday Meeting time: 11 PM, the convoy will move at sharp 11:15 PM Where: Tawi Nazwa Shops GPS Coordinate: https://goo.gl/maps/4U9z5Q9HdesX3UU59 Level: Newbie, Fewbie & Above Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 10 inches of ground clearance. Plan: Drive, train and enjoy till about 4 am and then break for snacks What to bring along: Snacks whatever you like with little extra to share, water, liquids, smiles, stories, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 5:00 AM Please RSVP on the below calendar:

Trip Report - This was it. What an amazing drive with the most amazing people, missed you @Javier M, hope you are feeling better now. As I drove to the meeting point I was firstly surprised by a mirror on the road side which was distracting trying to see yourself drive for such a long distance. But eventually the Pathy next to me slowed down and I realized its someone else, only @G.huz has this car, but he had not checked-in when I last saw. So I turned into the petrol station and he followed, to my surprise it was @G.huz and we had 5 cars for the trip. In the area that we were going to venture in a 5 car convoy is the best number you can achieve, but more fun when all are good drivers. So myself with @G.huz in the second lead, @shadow79 next up followed by @Gaurav bhai and for a change @Frederic in the sweep. The first part was just being a bit cautious as there were some fences around. As soon as we headed into the sands I found so many soft spots in these small to medium technical range. Amazingly for the first round we had a few refusals but no stucks, which means everybody did well enough to negotiate the terrain. It was fun as all drivers were capable and kept up with the pace and I never had to stop unless there was a refusal which were quickly resolved and no long stops required. As we negotiated the dunes and the first part almost came to an end we had a flat surface to which the radio blared with the voice of @Frederic, welcome to Shk Zayed Road. Chuckles followed and soon @Gaurav bhai announced that he was going to take off to check his springs. As soon as he got the go signal he was off like a gazelle right to the finish line. We soon caught up with him and he fall back into the queue. The result so far had amazed me and with the happiness of having a smooth ride so far, there lurked a fear of @Gaurav bhai announcing that it was a boring drive as no stucks and no ropes used. This fear was soon forgotten with the distraction of 100s of Gazelles right in front of our cars, as usual we only shot them with our camera which meant our BBQ pans were empty. As we had a our fill from photographing the Gazalles we moved on to head towards the Qudra Lakes. I had no idea that this would be the more challenging terrain at this time of the year. But soon we had a few stucks and needed the tow ropes. We even had @shadow79 try to replicate the heroics of @Frederic by trying to cut the ridge and getting stuck right in the middle of the dune with the left side hanging on one side and the right side on the other. These are always tricky stucks and thus with all of @Gaurav bhai experience he used his winch in the best way possible to get the Rav4 out with no damages at all. I was also not spared as I came across a very steep and soft dune where I needed a tug out. Now there was a satisfaction of knowing that @Gaurav bhai would not call it boring. Soon we landed at Qudra lakes and lay our spread, with some excellent treats, tea and stories flying around, specially the smiles showed that everyone had enjoyed this one. With the dawn about to break we started inflating our cars and by the time the Sun started to come out we were well on our way home. Thanks to all who attended, it was really great fun. Until next time I will leave some pics in the gallery to feast your eyes on.

Trip Report - can't remember much, maybe because I've delayed the trip report due to a busy week. I do remember meeting and moving on time. The excitement of extending our drive area by starting from mini Mahafiz. The drive was relaxingly smooth with the odd refusals and stucks to keep the sweep team on our feet. But @Gaurav bhai did not take the revenge for the previous week where we found more time on refusals and stucks rather than driving. My favourite area always start from Mahafiz, and after the first 90 minutes entering our Mahafiz area is where I felt at home. Again with a few refusals and even fewer stucks we managed to reach our playground. As usual for safety @Gaurav bhai was the first to test the slopes to make sure route was safe for all. We all had a go and the level of excitement was evident from the fact that everyone had a few tries. We later shifted to the other side and continued with loads of side sloping. Once everybody had their fill we moved on to Fossil Rocks. Once we came around Fossil Rocks some of us decided to leave, while some of us decided to continue to Faya. Although we headed towards Faya our luck meant we could see it from a distance but never reach it. Couple of small incidents kept us away from Faya. Although the incidents were not so serious, but always better to be safe than sorry. After inflation and hugs we headed home. Until next time I bid you farewell.

Great job @shadow79. Mabrook. I really saw an improvement in your convoy discipline, hope you will continue to improve on other aspects of off-roading, I never doubt your skills.

Taking in to consideration the last 2 drives I'm posting this drive in an area that would challenge the best of us. This area offers varied terrain for all types of adventure seeker from tall - medium - small (technical) dunes with enough area to play When: 18 July 2019 Meeting time: 11:00 PM, convoy will move at 11:15 PM Where: First Emarat Petrol Station after outlet mall on Dubai - Al Ain road GPS Coordinate: https://goo.gl/maps/7pRg8Lb1N3s Level of drive: Intermediate and above - (all other levels may join as passengers only if space is available) Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 10 inches of ground clearance Plan: Night drive from Marquab to Lisali with an option to finish at the Qudra Lakes by sun rise. What to bring along: Evening snacks - whatever you like with little extra to share, water, liquids, smiles, stories, and enthusiasm. Approximate finish time: 6 AM RSVP on below calendar

For me @Gaurav bhai is my saviour. While driving back more than 70% of the way we are talking over the radio or phone, so keeping the mind engaged helps to drive back home safely. I try to talk to myself about cricket discussion or how I am going to tone my trip report to keep awake rest of the way.

Great topic. I was convinced that one of these days I would require a U drive and signed up. Entering all documents took a bit of work and about half an hour. Since I've joined did not need to use it. But have first 30 minutes free. Best thing is petrol, Salik and parking paid by them so just rent and drive. They have cars on per minute basis, so in traffic you'll pay more, but you also have option for full day rentals. Later I heard about Ekar and how it is better than U drive, but did not want to go through the same hassle of signing up.