Ale Vallecchi

Hi @fred_, hello @Humi. You are both welcome to join. Please confirm that I may add you to the convoy. Thanks

Dear @Sam Selim and @Andrei S if you wish and confirm I can extend the convoy by 2 cars, to include both of you. Please let me know if I should add you. Thanks

" As I listened I thought once again how precarious was the existence of the Bedu. Their way of life naturally made them fatalists; so much was beyond their control. It was impossible for them to provide for a morrow when everything depended on a chance fall of rain or when raiders, sickness, or any one of a hundred chance happenings might at any time leave them destitute, or end their lives. They did what they could, and no people were more self-reliant, but if things went wrong they accepted their fate without bitterness, and with dignity as the will of God. "

" No man can live this life and emerge unchanged. He will carry, however faint, the imprint of the desert, the brand which marks the nomad; and he will have within him the yearning to return, weak or insistent according to his nature. For this cruel land can cast a spell which no temperate clime can match. "

" I tasted freedom and a way of life from which there could be no recall. "

" In the desert I had found a freedom unattainable in civilization; a life unhampered by possessions, since everything that was not a necessity was an encumbrance. "

We request that every member joining this drive go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette, and responsibilities. MUST READ AND COMPLY Environmental Policy Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquettes Emergency details for all off roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities Drive Details Level: Fewbie and above Meeting time: 08:00 am (departure time) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BJodYk1wCDX5PUWd9 Action Plan: Second installment of the desert books' series, with the choice of a text dedicated to crossings the sands of the Arabian desert, hence very close to home. Authored by explorer and travel writer Wilfred Thesiger, "Arabian Sands" details his two crossings of the Empty Quarter: Thesiger’s first crossing, from Mughshin (Oman) to Liwa, was followed by a crossing of the western sands from Manwakh (Yemen) to Abu Dhabi. The book attempts to capture the lives of the Bedu people and other inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula. I have chosen a track well within the Abu Dhabi area, where the author's second trek took him, wandering if Thesiger actually crossed these sands. We'll skirt some farms, as well as dwell among the more secluded cordons, to conclude the drive at Tilal Resort (anybody who wishes to have lunch there can arrange to stay). Still trying to distil the best of the book, and to build up to the day of the drive, I'll post a book's quote each day. Let's try to find inspiration in this Desert Books' Series to truly appreciate our interaction with our favorite element of nature. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face masks, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 12:30 PM P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive. RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR: Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge Compressor (MANDATORY) Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY) Off-road flag (MANDATORY) Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles First-aid kit Fire extinguisher. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 12 PM. If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list. RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list. Latecomers will be returned - Without any exceptions. Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 CALENDAR

Dear Desrtnauts following a week of teasers for tomorrow's drive, and according to the drive's theme dedicated to a book about the relationship between desert and mankind, the track has been laid out to start from a heavily anthropized part of Sweihan's desert, to cross pristine areas, yet still adjacent to farms and tracks, and end at the crossroad between wilderness and township, at the beautiful Nahil Lake, and Nahil town. The convoy order will be the following: @Giacomo in Second Lead @Carl Stanley at #3 @Myrko at #4 @Zsolt at #5 @Shary at #6 @Hani crest king at Center @Diego at #8 @vinayak at #9 @Abhishek Chikara at #10 @topgear at #11 and @Aser in Sweep. The starting time should be my usual 8:00AM, which I have found is not that much hooter then leaving at 6:00AM, and most of all, as the day progresses and warms up, will make us truly feel the strength, power and unforgiveness of our beloved desert. Enjoy your Saturday evening.

Good morning @Paul Eldho and @Yurybel. If you wish to join tomorrow's AM drive I can add you to the convoy. Please confirm if OK. Thanks

“Belief? What do I believe in? I believe in sun. In rock. In the dogma of the sun and the doctrine of the rock. I believe in blood, fire, woman, rivers, eagles, storm, drums, flutes, banjos, and broom-tailed horses…”

"I find that in contemplating the natural world my pleasure is greater if there are not too many others contemplating it with me, at the same time."

"We need wilderness whether or not we ever set foot in it. We need a refuge even though we may never need to set foot in it. We need the possibility of escape as surely as we need hope...."

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view."

"Water, water, water....There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount , a perfect ratio of water to rock, water to sand, insuring that wide free open, generous spacing among plants and animals, homes and towns and cities, which makes the arid West so different from any other part of the nation. There is no lack of water here unless you try to establish a city where no city should be."

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself.”

We request that every member joining this drive go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette, and responsibilities. MUST READ AND COMPLY Environmental Policy Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquettes Emergency details for all off roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities Drive Details Level: Fewbie and above Meeting time: 08:00 am (departure time) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eHfFcszn2f8UGJ7e6 Action Plan: Many books have been written about the desert or have been telling stories where the desert has been a protagonist, rather than just a backdrop. There is definitely a top 10 of desert books that we'll try to count down as the theme of our drives. We start with "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey. A former US Park Ranger, he explores his experiences in the Colorado Plateau's region, ranging from vivid descriptions of the fauna, flora, geology, and human inhabitants of the area to firsthand accounts of wilderness exploration, to a reflection against development and excessive tourism in the national parks. The track chosen for this drive, although the farthest from Colorado's deserts, will take us through an aera where the desert has been greatly modified by the presence of humans. While we can still consider the area to be wilderness, there will be occasions to meditate on how mankind and deserts (its geology, flora and fauna) interact, and how we should best approach our experiences with this vast landscape. In an attempt to distil the best of the book, and to build up to the day of the drive, I'll try to post a book's quote each day. Let's try to find inspiration in this Desert Books' Series to truly appreciate our interaction with our favorite element of nature. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face masks, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 12:30 PM P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive. RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR: Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge Compressor (MANDATORY) Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY) Off-road flag (MANDATORY) Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles First-aid kit Fire extinguisher. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 12 PM. If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list. RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list. Latecomers will be returned - Without any exceptions. Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 CALENDAR

Dear Desertnauts. In preparation for tomorrow's drive, we'll head to Qudra's "secret dunes", to exploit its pristine white sand cordons, formed in a way that allows to practice all skills with minimum risks and maximum opportunity to train. The convoy, small enough to allow for almost one-on-one tutoring in all aspects of sand off-roading, will line up as follows: @Farook Veettil in Second Lead @AHSANAWAN 123 at #3 @Diego at #4 @Ana at #5 and @Aser in Sweep. Please reach the meeting and deflation point in time for departing at 8:00 AM. The meeting point has also been updated on the drive's post, and is the following: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5sEcggVmiPZD7A5d9 Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a nice Saturday evening.

Dear Desertnauts. In preparation for tomorrow's TGIF Rush Hour drive, I have thought that it would be easier, and also more fun, if we focused on the pristine dunes of Qudra's Secret Garden (see meeting point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aDG6FCRXXXB9mb2p6 ). They will be a perfect setting for ridge-riding, side sloping, and criss-crossing, while keeping a rather fast pace, and covering a good deal of ground at the same time. We will proceed from north to south, alternating east to west lines, all across this small patch of clean dunes. The drive should end in time to enjoy the sunset. Those who wish, may prolong their stay in the area by reaching the Hidden Cafe at Lisaili's Fort, just a few minutes from the exit point. The convoy will line up with Fewbie Plus members taking responsibility of the 2 or 3 Fewbies preceding them in the lineup. This will give more responsibilities to each Fewbie Plus, and should guarantee a smooth flow of the convoy. This will be the convoy order: @Jose Luis Campos in Second Lead @Amr J at #3 @Shary at #4 @J-P L at #5 (Center 1) @B.K. at #6 @Nicolò at #7 @Martin M at #8 @Giacomo at #9 (Center 2) @vinayak n at #10 @Mei ling at #11 and @Emanuel in Sweep. See you all tomorrow. Please arrive so that we can actually start the drive at 4:00PM. Thanks

Hello @Sam Selim. If you want I can add you to the convoy. Please let me know. Thanks

We request that every member joining this drive go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette, and responsibilities. MUST READ AND COMPLY Environmental Policy Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquettes Emergency details for all off roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities Drive Details Level: Newbie and above - Recommended 5 NB drives or more Meeting time: 08:00 am (departure time) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5sEcggVmiPZD7A5d9 Action Plan: For those Newbies who already have accumulated a few drives and wish to test their budding skills, with being promoted to Fewbie level as their next goal, this drive will provide a comprehensive tutorial of all the off-roading knowledge needed to secure the promotion. We'll work on all driving skills - straight crossings, side-sloping and criss-crossing - on some essential recovery maneuvers - self and assisted ones - as well as we'll make sure that convoy discipline is well understood and practiced (especially referring to the communication skills). As much one-on-one training as possible will be provided. Challenge yourselves to reach the next level, while having fun and share your camaraderie! What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face masks, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 12:30 PM P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive. RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR: Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge Compressor (MANDATORY) Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY) Off-road flag (MANDATORY) Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles First-aid kit Fire extinguisher. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 12 PM. If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list. RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list. Latecomers will be returned - Without any exceptions. Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 CALENDAR

We request every member that joins this drive to go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette and responsibilities. MUST READ AND COMPLY Environmental Policy Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquettes Emergency details for all off roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities Drive Details Level: Fewbie and above (all levels) Meeting time: 4:00 PM (DEPARTURE) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aDG6FCRXXXB9mb2p6 Action Plan: Two hours of faster pace driving, to celebrate the end of the working week, and start the weekend on a positive note of excitement and fun. We'll look for an area of clean dunes, where all skills can be enjoyed, and we plan to finish the drive at a time when we can still enjoy the sunset on the sandy horizon. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face masks, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 6:30 PM P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive. RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR: Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge Compressor (MANDATORY) Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY) Off-road flag (MANDATORY) Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles First-aid kit Fire extinguisher. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 12 PM. If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist. Once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list. RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list. Latecomers will be returned - Without any exceptions. Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 CALENDAR