Foxtrot Oscar

What to expect

This area offers everything, long range dunes where we can side slope, ridges to cross and some technical patches too. We will start off near Love Lakes and tackle the dunes there before heading towards Murquab making our way through some technical patches and finally the longer , higher dunes of Murquab. As always anything is possible, all I ask is that you don't leave your wits at home and pack a good sense of humour. Yalla! 
 

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely.

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST

Drive Details

Level:  Fewbie 

When:  12th March  2021, Friday.

Meeting time: 2pm  (SHARP - Without any exceptions).

Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/octtUF6vPJikh6reA

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 6pm

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE:

• Limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Monday - 3:30pm
  • If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting list. 
• Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others.
• Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month.
•  

Please RSVP on below Calendar 

Blow away the strains and stresses of the working week with a refreshing, relaxing and rehabilitating midweek jaunt in the desert. 

This week will see us meander through the wonderful white sands of Lisaili. This area offers some nice medium range dunes that would offer plenty of opportunity for side slopping and ridge crossing.

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely.

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST

Drive Details

Level:  Fewbie 

When:  9th March  2021, Tuesday.

Meeting time: 3:30pm  (SHARP - Without any exceptions).

Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/g1Mj6sdptqhiK9Pk7

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 6pm

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE:

• Limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Monday - 3:30pm
  • If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting list. 
• Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others.
• Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month.

Please RSVP on below Calendar 

Drive Report

I started the afternoon by making every member of the convoy aware of exactly what I expected from intermediate drivers on an Intermediate drive. Pace, no babysitting and if you have a refusal? Get yourself out of it!  I didn’t want to hear constant chatter on the radio, I wanted a drive like no other and by goodness did the convoy deliver!

We limbered up as usual in the smaller dunes, which offer excellent practice for the mammoth dunes that lay ahead. We swept around them at some pace, warming up our desert wheels. @Ilya Golubinsky 's mother asked for  bigger dunes, and who am I to disappoint someone’s mother?!

As we began to climb into the labyrinth of bowls we had a couple of refusals but nothing much, we continued and @GauravSoni experienced a nice crest which @Kailas tried in vain to dig him out of, we got the ropes and @GauravSoni was on the move again.

It’s fair to say that the initial climbs met with a fair share of refusals, I asked @GauravSoni to check his tyre pressure and after deflating he was back in the game and then some. Then @asifk found himself in a nice pocket of soft sand and the recovery saw his transmission oil heat up. We stopped to allow it time to cool down and got the magic spray out (water).That seemed to do the trick and we were on the move again.

I usually try to convey a sense of what a drive was like in these reports but it is difficult to truly reflect this afternoon’s drive. Perhaps my instructions over the radio would be better. “Climb, push it, push t , sweep the bowl, criss-cross, sweep, cross, push it push it! Control the descent , sweep, cross, sweep, momentum, stay high , cross, stay high, sweep. Cross, sweep, cross, climb PUSH IT PUSH IT!! OWN IT! YALLA! Repeat x 50 🤣

Thank you all so much for your excellent driving skills , you were all utterly fantastic and I had a great time leading you. Special note to @Hisham Masaad who was on his first IM and had a flawless drive and also @asifk who did exceptionally well. It was great to drive with @Francois Germishuys for the first time too. Love how you have control of that beast!

To @David Ortells, @siddharth maheshwari , @GauravSoni, @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQand @Ashok chaturvedi, you all had great drives, thank you.

Special thanks to @Ilya Golubinsky who once again was excellent as my second lead, to @Kailaswho kept an eye on everything at the front of the convoy and to @Islam Soliman who was sweeping at the back. Brilliant support!

And that was that, Sharjah’s Bowls….Owned!

Until our next adventure.  

1 hour ago, Hisham Masaad said:

I think every body is taking hide time to figure out what happened today. From morning things were normal, till @Foxtrot Oscar showed up😀. Thank you Angela very much for the drive, one of the drives my son will never forget, and me well. Wonderful. Thank you @Kailas,  @Islam Soliman and @Ilya Golubinsky for the support. 

🤣  I'll let them all catch a breath 😝

Good morning fellow adventurers,

Y'all up for this?  The dunes will be scarred from the constant flow of traffic, we may have to give way to marauding dune buggies as they dart in front of us, and we could encounter tourists keen to see the sunset from the top. Will it be worth it? You had better believe it!

Badayer/Area 53 is an off roaders dream. Here's hoping the conditions are good to us today and we have the best adventure.

We shall be using radio channel 3 (three)

My proposed convoy is as follows:

 

3 hours ago, Junaid120120 said:

Hi angela, can i be second lead please ?

That was the plan 

8 minutes ago, Hardik Mody said:

Sorry for the 11th hour notice Angela @Foxtrot Oscar ,

Due to some medical emergency in family I won't be able to join you for this drive.

I’m sorry to hear that , I hope everything is okay 

7 minutes ago, Junaid120120 said:

Why not im in .. im anyways coming to solar park 

Cool, I’ll add you

On 2/28/2021 at 7:03 PM, Junaid120120 said:

waitlist 2nd drive

Hey, do you still want to join? @Junaid120120? 

Good afternoon fellow adventurers, 

Tomorrow's fewbie drive will see us tackle Solar Parks incredible long range dunes where we will hopefully have lots of opportunity to practice side sloping and perhaps some ridge riding and criss-crossing. It all depends on you and how everyone is coping. Whatever, we will have lots of fun. 

We shall use radio channel 3 (three)

My proposed convoy is as follows:

 

2 hours ago, Niki Patel said:

@Foxtrot Oscar did you add any additional Microphones or how did you set up the mics with this upgraded headset.  @Ahab Shamaa and I are keen to upgrade the mics in our FJs as they are useless (for calls and siri) thanks

Yes and additional external mic was fitted . I think it came with the Sony unit . I just handed it over to car audio guys and let them do the work 😅

Apologies to @Hisham Masaad and @Veedooshee 

I have the drive at absolute maximum capacity in order to rectify my mistake . This is a one time only happening and absolutely will not be repeated . Thank you for your understanding 

although disappointed @Ahab Shamaa won’t be joining us I’m also relieved he dropped out  😅 

1 hour ago, Veedooshee said:

Hey @Foxtrot Oscar, I was on this drive since day 1 as it was my only drive for the weekend and waitlisted myself for the afternoon Friday 2nd drive..

Oops apologies @Veedooshee I’ll amend it immediately 

2 hours ago, Hisham Masaad said:

Dear @Foxtrot Oscar

Little confused. I cancelled Friday morning drive to join this one, do i still need to be on WL?

 

Ouch , sorry , let me amend this right now 

4 hours ago, Frederic said:

That looks amazing Angela, you'll need to demonstrate that to me this weekend !

 

You mean to say SIRI understands what you are saying ? I always thought it was behaving like this elevator that could not understand "ELEVEN"
🤣

I have Scottish Siri  😝

All joking aside I'm gobsmacked at how well it manages to write messages I dictate and follow voice commands in general. 

Hi everyone, I have added those who were first on the waitlist for their 2nd drives.

The waitlist as of 3/3 @ 3:08pm is as follows:
@Francois Germishuys
@Hisham Masaad
@Veedooshee

All for second drives.

If anyone can't make it let me know asap @asifk @Jun Zamora @siddharth maheshwari @GauravSoni @David Ortells @Ilya Golubinsky @Islam Soliman @Ahab Shamaa @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ @Ashok chaturvedi

Late withdrawals will be frowned upon 😝 

 

Well I did it! I took the plunge and parted with some $$$ to upgrade the stereo. I mentioned previously the number 1 priority was to have my GPS interface on a bigger , clearer screen.

I went with the Sony xav-5000 and was eager to try it out . Tonight I had the opportunity to do so and I have to admit I was very impressed and thought it a huge improvement. Aside from the physical size (6,95inches) it also has a crystal clear screen and easy to zoom functions. I followed the track easily and could quickly identify more technical areas that weren't suitable for the drive (fewbie) . 

It made a huge difference to me (as a lead) In the past I would have to stop and zoom in on the phone to read the dunes, not anymore though.  My iphone is also relieved as it's no longer flying around being smashed to pieces 

Note of caution, I needed to upgrade the rear camera too as the unit is 12v and the stock camera is 6v, this added an additional 300 to the cost. 

p.s. aside from navigation functionality, the additional bells and whistles are handy too. I love that it reads my messages from whatsapp etc and can compose them too via Siri. 

12 minutes ago, Mohamed Seidam said:

Thank you Angela @Foxtrot Oscar for the wonderful lead very much appreciated . Much thanks goes to @Veedooshee for being a true second lead 👍 and off course @Islam Soliman who spares no effort in any drive helping and guiding when needed.
 

Well being in the sweep i got the chance to see the whole convoy looping heading toward the setting sun .. what a pleasure . 
Every body did very good today smooth and sleek which made my sweep just like a “reverse lead”  😎

Thank you all for coming to share this never ending passion 

@Antonio Jimenez Williams @Rob Harper @Hisham Masaad @Gaurav Soni @Thomas Varghese @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ 

@Foxtrot Oscar @Veedooshee @Islam Soliman

Below humble relive and some pictures in gallery 

Cheers🌷

 

Nice video , thank you 😊 

Drive report 

It’s always a pleasure and tonight was no different .

We started off on the familiar sands of Murquab gently making our way through the dunes ever mindful that @antonio was experiencing his first fewbie drive .

As we tackled some low and gentle ridges it was apparent that both @Antonio Jimenez Williamsand @Rob Harpercould handle getting on top , keeping control of their  steering and maintaining just the right amount of momentum to stay on the ridge. Well done guys! 

We were soon faced with the high and long dunes that provide excellent opportunities for side sloping . @Antonio Jimenez Williams had a refusal and we decided he should deflate his tyres to see if it helped. It did and Antonio was back in the game.

After about 1 hour or so of exploring Murquab we crossed the Sabka and took the familiar track to Solar park. After a short while  we headed into the dunes to the right of the track , here we were presented with a different challenge , small dunes but not too tight . However, they still required a degree of finesse to navigate them.

Satisfied that all in the convoy were handling the drive I asked if they were suitably challenged and the response was that we could up the pace slightly although , I was very mindful that this was a fewbie drive and Antonio was being suitably challenged . I decided to keep the pace as was and hunted for more challenging dunes .

We found more beautiful long dunes, some with steep climbs and soft sands which met with a couple of refusals but nothing major.

As we reached the more advanced slopes with their mighty slip faces we darted up, slipped down and crossed atop them with the entire convoy coping well.

@Antonio Jimenez Williams , you did very well today , I know you felt the step up from newbie, but you handled it all well . Just be mindful to steer down and never ever fight gravity unless you want your car to end up on its roof.

@Rob Harper , you didn’t put a wheel wrong all night. You took everything in your stride and handled your car very well.

@Gaurav Soni @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ , @Thomas Varghese and @Hisham Masaad you all had impeccable drives. Thank you , it’s always a pleasure to lead you guys . 

Very special thanks to @Veedooshee for doing a perfect job as second lead. 

Further thanks to my henchmen @Mohamed Seidam and @Islam Soliman who kept a watchful eye on the entire convoy and were always on hand to give advice and help out. Your assistance on my drives is always greatly appreciated and very much needed . Thank you gentlemen 

Once again, thank you to the entire convoy for indulging my adventurous ways and following my lead.

Until our next adventure !   

26 minutes ago, GauravSoni said:

Hi @Foxtrot Oscar I have some issue with my radio. Would you excuse me and provide with a spare one for the drive? Else I will have to get a new one now but would be delayed by 10 mins.... 

Yes I have a spare 

14 minutes ago, Mus_hus78 said:

@Foxtrot Oscar sorry my car is showing some issue I was on my way from al Ain but have to go back. Sorry 😢 hope to join when my car back on track .

Sorry to hear that 

Good evening fellow adventurers.

Tomorrow's late afternoon drive shall see us dander around the mixture of dunes Murquab has to offer. There are technical patches, long range dunes and some climbs to test all our off road skills. We could head to Solar Park, or perhaps we'll head to Lisalli, maybe we'll just do a loop.  As always, anything we do will be dependent on the convoy's wants and needs and tomorrow's convoy is a variety pack with varying degrees of experience. Whatever challenges we attempt, it'll be one that suits all and has everyone smiling  

We will be using Radio Channel 2 (two)

My proposed convoy list is as follows:

 

24 minutes ago, Arda Yagcioglu said:

Hi @Foxtrot Oscar, sorry I will have to attend to a family event tomorrow. So I dropped from the list to let anyone else from the waiting list to join the drive. Thanks

Np worries @Arda Yagcioglu, hope to drive with you again soon, it's been a while  

4 hours ago, Ahab Shamaa said:

Hello again Angela @Foxtrot Oscar,

The mechanic just informed me that my FJ won’t be ready in time for the drive tomorrow afternoon. As such, if you would, please remove me from the waiting list. I hope you guys have an awesome drive 😀

No worries , I hope it’s sorted for the weekend ☺️

Waitlist as of 28/2 @ 8pm

@Ilya Golubinsky 2nd drive
@Islam Soliman 2nd drive
@Ahab Shamaa 2nd drive
@MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ 2n drive.

As it stands it looks highly likely that you will be able to join  


 

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely.

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST

Two Way Radio Guidelines

• Every Off-roader brings his own radio, programmed to the frequencies described in below advice topic.
• We will not share spare radios or program your radio on the drive. If you need assistance in programming the radio, post a topic on the Carnity website with your questions and we will help you out. 
• Make sure your radio is fully charged. It will be your only way of communication while driving.
• Before buying, please carefully read below advice so you are informed properly on which model / cost / shops...
• No radio = No drive. It is an essential tool and you should make sure you bring it on every drive and learn/practice how to use it.

MUST WATCH: NEWBIE VIDEO BRIEFING

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely.

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST

Two Way Radio Guidelines

• Every Offroader brings his own radio, programmed to the frequencies described in below advice topic.
• We will not share spare radios or program your radio on the drive. If you need assistance in programming the radio, post a topic on the Carnity website with your questions and we will help you out. 
• Make sure your radio is fully charged. It will be your only way of communication while driving.
• Before buying, please carefully read below advice so you are informed properly on which model / cost / shops...
• No radio = No drive. It is an essential tool and you should make sure you bring it on every drive and learn/practice how to use it.

MUST WATCH: NEWBIE VIDEO BRIEFING

Drive Details

Level:  Intermediate and above

When: 6th March (Saturday)

Meeting time: 2:00 PM  (SHARP - Without any exceptions).

Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/2SRBGs3qN7tU61A16

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 6 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE:

• Limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Monday - 3:30pm
  • If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting list. 
• Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others.
• Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month.

PLEASE RSVP ON THE BELOW CALENDAR EVENT 

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely.

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST

Two Way Radio Guidelines

• Every Offroader brings his own radio, programmed to the frequencies described in below advice topic.
• We will not share spare radios or program your radio on the drive. If you need assistance in programming the radio, post a topic on the Carnity website with your questions and we will help you out. 
• Make sure your radio is fully charged. It will be your only way of communication while driving.
• Before buying, please carefully read below advice so you are informed properly on which model / cost / shops...
• No radio = No drive. It is an essential tool and you should make sure you bring it on every drive and learn/practice how to use it.

MUST WATCH: NEWBIE VIDEO BRIEFING

Drive Details

Level:  Fewbie 

When:  2nd March  2021, Tuesday.

Meeting time: 3:30pm  (SHARP - Without any exceptions).

Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/TV9NpjboewyCZ1GH9

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 6pm

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE:

• Limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Monday - 3:30pm
  • If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting list. 
• Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others.
• Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month.
•  

Please RSVP on below Calendar