Desert Dweller

Trip report:
 

Another beautiful drive, fast paced with continuous fun around majestic red sand dunes, filled with bowls presenting opportunities for crisscrossing, ridge riding and side sloping.

In several occasions, we took turns to test our cars and skills going up high dunes, under @Emmanuel‘s watchful eye. And that was including Iftar bowl!

Stucks and refusals were minor, despite the very soft sand and the difficult area. Chapeau to all drivers, especially those who were newly promoted.

@Tero Vallas passed his first second lead test with flying colors. A very skilled and most importantly calm driver who adds to the relaxed vibe of such a drive. The same goes for our sweep, @Alexander Alcala, whose role was crucial to me personally, as I was relieved knowing he was at the back making sure no one was left behind when we had to find our way.

@Craig Finlayson, as usual with his great vibe and calm when having to manage tricky situations, contributed to the success of this drive.

I also want to thank the rest of the convoy for assisting during recoveries, waiting when asked to, and managing the area where we were surrounded by a huge number of cars which slowed our pace as they were unexpectedly crossing our path.

If I have to be picky, which I easily am 😁, I would add a couple of things to avoid in the future:

1. Do not alter the convoy numbering even when you have got momentum to keep going when the car before you had a refusal or is making a second attempt. We have seen this lead to cars crashing and we certainly do not want that to happen to anyone. It is better to wait even if that gets you stuck.

2. Keep a safe distance, although you might fear losing the car in front of you. On myriad of occasions when I had to make a loop and go again, I found myself closely followed by the car behind me which sometimes hinders that attempt as there is not enough room around bowls.

Apart from that, I truly believe it was a fun drive where we all enjoyed the area and what it has to offer.

29 minutes ago, Nithin Vaidir said:

Excellent and relaxing drive yesterday . Was happy that we could cross over some technical dunes with confidence. Big thanks to @Gaurav @Desert Dweller and @Jeepie for all the guidance. 

Lovely pictures! You can share them in the gallery 

32 minutes ago, varunmehndiratta said:

Guys I am back..hope you didn't replaced me with someome else...plz advice I can reach in time.. @Gaurav @Desert Dweller

Your name is still in the list 😉 you didn’t sign out

21 minutes ago, varunmehndiratta said:

Dear @Gaurav I will have to pull out today due to some last min work.... Any possibility for me to join in any drive Tomo?..wanted to complete 3 rides before next week so to be able to join for Liwa trip..

Unfortunately, there is no newbie drive scheduled for tomorrow.

7 minutes ago, Probir Mukherjee said:

Where does one find the gallery 

@Desert Dweller found it .Thanks .great pictures .

Hope you were able to see the videos as well. Had great fun seeing you all enjoying yourselves 🤗

It was great to be in @Pancho‘s first drive. I still remember his very first drive where he borrowed my compressor and introduced himself. Seeing him grow within the club and become this avid explorer is truly motivating. The route was well planned and executed, with loads of play area where everyone got to test his car and skills. All drivers did exceptionally well, especially being the first fewbie drive for some of us.

I have taken several individual videos of drivers doing sideys, so make sure you check the gallery 😉

Hahaha no worries @Rahimdad. I know what you meant.

@Foxtrot Oscar drives in the mornings and I drive in the afternoons. Works perfectly to share the expensive off-roading costs 😉

17 hours ago, Piotr Kolodziej said:

Amazing guys - we have such an exclusive and nimble convoy that im sure it's going to be an exceptionally fast paced and dynamic afternoon drive that will put intermediate and advanced groups to shame! 😊

If bushes and trees allow it 😅

Congratulations @Tamas Hoffmann!!! Welcome to the faster paced drives, more recovery responsibilities and radio use 😁

11 hours ago, Athula Dharmadada said:

We got scared when we saw my brother's jeep hanging on the top of a sand dune.
Now watching the video makes me laugh.

@Vanessa8580 @DANIEL NOGUEIRA @Desert Dweller @Foxtrot Oscar

Thank you for the well organized and eventful drive.

Photos uploaded to the gallery.

Your brother did great by keeping calm and responding to the instructions with precision! Following the instructions, he showed everyone an amazing self-recovery from a tricky refusal. I am sure he learned a few tricks now 😉

Go get'em! 

Congratulations @Vanessa8580! You're a valuable member of this community. Always there to support and spread good vibes and plenty of energy.

Congratulations @Pancho!! Well deserved promotion. It will be fun having you join the training this Saturday 🙌

No worries at all @topgear 😃 I just wanted to make sure your radio was working properly. Happy to help and you did a great job 👏

Well done @Chaitanya D and the rest of the convoy. It was the first time for me in that area which is very beautiful. I struggled a bit with the slip faces of dunes but I’m still gauging the speed to use with this new car in specific situations. Happy to see you give me the time and space to self-recover each time. It’s great to have a patient leader!

Thank you @Vanessa8580 for such a nice and enjoyable drive! Well planned and executed 🤗

All drivers did very well, which allowed us to drive almost nonstop. Thanks to everyone for their efforts and following the instructions. Great team work!

Warmest congratulations on your achievement @Wrangeld! It is extremely nice to see how a hobby takes over your life, but it also allows you to grow, forge friendships, gain experience and become a teacher yourself, SENSEI Richard 😁 (teacher in Japanese)

Sorry @Frederic, very last minute drop out for reasons out with my control 😞

However, my very competent copilot will Now be in the driving seat.

15 hours ago, sertac said:

I am as well looking for a skid plate. I don't like the ones turning front and having xterra logo on them. I want something shorter to keep my plate on original place but I don't know where to get those. I like keeping the look as original as possible. 

In Xterra Mafia whatsapp group they sell stuff like that. That is the one I had before, shorter and not covering the license plate area, got it for as low as 350. Additionally, the tuning with the Xterra logo is optional, when you get it brand new made for your car. You can just ask them not to.

I had this in my previous car, which was kind of short. The new one has a better one, one piece but without the Xterra cutout.

@Rahimdad you forgot @Tbone 😁

You’re right! In my case saying less was better 😉

I don’t have bigger tyres, but other added buttons, yes.
 

And the club doesn’t do dune bashing! It’s very responsible desert driving.

I don't think we are allowed to recommend businesses here. However, I got it done at this address 4 34th St - Umm Ramool - Dubai. I went back to the same place to get it fixed. I had done it before to another car I had in the same place and it worked fine from the first time. This time I had to go again as it wasn't as nicely done as the previous time.

I use RSA too, for the same reason you mention, and they have a good off-road coverage.

It states in the attached booklet:

        6. Off Road Assistance: We will recover the Insured Vehicle from off road areas including sandy areas, desert and/or basement parking’s within the UAE. However, recovery in the desert applies to Insured Vehicles that have four wheel drive capability only, excluding competitive events or carrying passengers as part of business. This service is limited to three times in a year.

Off road cover: The coverage under the Policy is extended to include loss or damage to Your Insured Vehicle and/or Third Party Liability, whilst being driven off road. Provided that: (a) Your Vehicle has four wheel drive capability (b) It is a private vehicle only In the event of a claim the Police Report should be provided.

What we don't cover: If You are participating in any kind of dune-bashing, competitive event or race. If You are carrying passengers in the Insured Vehicle, for hire or reward.

new_motor_policy_booklet_effective_1st_october_2016.pdf

39 minutes ago, Foxtrot Oscar said:

Ah Ha! Where there is a question there is a thread by Fred  

It even rhymes 😁

Well done @Vanessa8580!!! Proficiat! Your efforts paid off. Great support and always there to help and assist.

Congratulations @Tbone!! Xterra group is advancing fast 😍