Ale Vallecchi

Hi @Marek. Sorry to hear that. I'll most likely cancel this drive and will reschedule for the following Saturday.

Hi @Giacomo hi @Marek. I hope all is well. Just a thought. Considering the low turnout for the drive, I was thinking perhaps to move it to Saturday. Would both of you be available, and if so would you prefer morning or afternoon? If any of yoy is unable to do so, I will keep the drive as scheduled. Thanks a lot for sharing your opinion.

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: 3:30 PM (departure time) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PZSVA4xdvcoXVz3Q8 Action Plan: Given the heat, and the somewhat shorter driving time available during afternoon drives, I have thought of making the best of that time by launching a "Sunset on Top of a Dune" Series. Relatively short drives (although one never knows with me), at relatively fast pace, aimed at reaching the top of the major dunes that dominate our deserts. After the first 2 drives this past week, installments 3 and 4 are ready to go. This one will take the convoy from Iftar Bowl to Badayer and across to Big Red, before reaching Pink Rock, and exiting near December 2nd Cafe. This same weekend, on Friday afternoon, we'll have a Sunset drive to Nagrah. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 7:30 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: 3:30 PM (departure time) Meeting Point: TBC Action Plan: Given the heat, and the somewhat shorter driving time available during afternoon drives, I have thought of making the best of that time by launching a "Sunset on Top of a Dune" Series. Relatively short drives (although one never knows with me), at relatively fast pace, aimed at reaching the top of the major dunes that dominate our deserts. After the first 2 drives this past week, installments 3 and 4 are ready to go. This one will take the convoy from Al Ain Farms (an entry point just south of Nahel, along E95) to Nagrah's star dune formations, and from there out onto the Sweihan Road (E20). This same weekend, on Sunday afternoon, we'll have a Sunset drive to Pink Rock. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 7:30 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

Thanks @khlief. I have just added the meeting point, as below: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nxSNZww9Q8vP8413A

Dear Desertnauts a few inputs for to prepare tomorrow's trip. We'll start at Faqa's sabkha, to be reached by turning right on the Dubai-Al Ain's road, shortly before arriving in Faqa. From here we'll cross an interesting group of short and packed dunes, with some taller crests, just overlooking the southern side of the Solar Tower. We'll then reach a sabkha, from which we'll enter a series of low, long dunes, separated by a couple of smaller sabkhas, leading to our entry to Little Sweihan. Here we'll ride up and down the full length of the cordons, until we'll stop to enjoy the sunset. The exit will take place through a sand track leading to the Innovation Center's glass pyramid at Solar Park. The cobvoy order at the moment is the following: @Andrew John Melvill in Second Lead @khlief at #3 @Martin M at #4 @JohanE at #5 @Sandeep Nayar at the Center @Giacomo at #7 @Zak_ at #8 @nithish468 at #9 and @mahesh in Sweep Bring plenty of drinks, and double check your car's fluids, to prevent any issues of overheating. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon, with the goal of leaving as close to 3:30PM as possible. Enjoy the end of the week.

Thank you @Faraz94. Enjoy your drive.

Hi @Martin M. Are you coming to today's drive. Waiting for you for an extra 10 minutes. Thanks

Thanks for the update @Gaurav. @Andrew John Melvill and @Faraz94 you are welcome to join my drive.

See you later @Rohit Deginal.

Dear Desertnauts not much to say about tomorrow's drive. It will be a sweet, compact convoy, which should make things less complicated on the hot afternoon sands. I'll confirm the final order at the meeting point. Which by the way will be the following (as published in the drive's main post): https://maps.app.goo.gl/6WJoXDNZKtWqBs2F9 Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon. Thanks

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: 3:30 PM (departure time) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6WJoXDNZKtWqBs2F9 Action Plan: Given the heat, and the somewhat shorter driving time available during afternoon drives, I have thought of making the best of that time by launching an "Sunset on Top of a Dune" Series. Relatively short drives (although one never knows with me), at relatively fast pace, aimed at reaching the top of the major dunes that dominate our deserts. This inaugural first drive of the series will be in Badayer, then this weekend in Little Sweihan. Others will follow, mostly in Sweihan's area, or whenever a nice dune with a view will come to mind. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 7:00 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: 3:30 PM (departure time) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nxSNZww9Q8vP8413A Action Plan: Given the heat, and the somewhat shorter driving time available during afternoon drives, I have thought of making the best of that time by launching an "Sunset on Top of a Dune" Series. Relatively short drives (although one never knows with me), at relatively fast pace, aimed at reaching the top of the major dunes that dominate our deserts. The first drive of the series will be in Badayer (soon to be published in the upcoming midweek drive), then the present one, in Little Sweihan. Others will follow, mostly in Sweihan's area, or whenever a nice dune with a view will come to mind. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 7:00 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 @Shiju Raju @Nicolò @Giacomo @nithish468 @Shaun J @Gurcharan Mehta, if drives had a soundtrack, while a fast overland drive would be best accompanied by a Heavy Metal tune (some may remember my "Deep Purple" series), a technical drive like tomorrow's should be best paired with a Rythm & Blues tune. Hence, in preparation for tomorrow, please listen to the following great track by the Blues singer Beth Hart and the very talented rock guitarist Slash: Please listen at high volume, both before and during the drive

Dear Desertnauts. in preparation for tomorrow's drive, I ask you to pay the utmost attention to the conditions of your cars. It will probably be one of the hottest days of the summer, and quite humid, so please make sure that your engine fluids are optimal, and your 4x4 is overall in good working conditions. I hope we can start as close to the meeting time of 3:30PM (so please reach a little earlier), so of course the first couple of hours of driving will be quite torrid!! Also, bring as much water as possible, to drink at any possible opportunity (dehydration arrives unannounced). The drive will be conducted at a slower, but steadier pace, than other less technical drives. The principle of a "technical" drive is to cross complex areas of very tight, irregular, close and soft dunes, which usually abound near sabkhas, and that cannot be avoided (save the presence of a beaten track) if one wants to drive long distances. All elements of off-roading come into play: engine power is important, but with short burst, rather than sustained ones, as well as climbing (short but very soft slopes), ridge-riding (prolonged ones, with a lot of steering involved), as well as criss-crossing (often after very short climbs). We want to manage these skills with patience and endurance. The current convoy order is the following: @Shiju Raju in Second Lead @Nicolò at #3 @Giacomo at #4 @nithish468 at #5 @Shaun J at #6 and @Gurcharan Mehta in Sweep. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Dear @Batuhan Kulac you are welcome to join. Just please check with @Frederic if it's OK, in case he needs more support. Thanks a lot.

Sure @Abhilash Kottakkal. Will do

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: 3:30 PM (departure time) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ToyncWjScCaFenc77 Action Plan: A drive studied to perfect your skills in a so-called "Technical environment", that is where dunes are tight, irregular, close to each other, with soft pockets in between. This terrain does not call for spectacular maneuvers, nor will favor super-charged motors, but requires the driver to know how the car responds to short bursts of acceleration, how she or him manages a great deal of steering on tight or sinuous lines, and overall, what we call "finesse" driving. The chosen track is a challenging one, where our Crew takes the prospective Leaders to train for leading a convoy in the "Leaders Lead" series. hence, we will be tested in terms of endurance, patience, and very fine skills. If a member does not command these kinds of skills, it only knows half of what off-roading is all about. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 7:30 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

Hi @Victor Socaciu. On a Newbie level it should be fine, if your dog is used to being in the car. The choice us yours. HOWEVER, BE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT DISTRACTED BY IT. Prioroty goes to the driving. Thanks

Thanks @Batuhan Kulac. You are welcome. See you tomorrow.

Dear Desrtnauts last minute inputs for the Last-Minute Drive. It has been designed to provide a leisurely afternoon, pursuing gazelles in the new green pastures of Qudra's natural reserve, and oryx, if lucky, in one of their major feeding grounds, near to the National Guard's barracks close to Abu Dhabi's border. We hope to drive until 30 minutes prior to the sunset, across a relatively easy terrain, save a few technical areas, with closer and tighter dunes. We'll enjoy some tea and coffee near one of the many palm groves. If you choose to bring family and friends, please make sure they do not suffer from seasickness (especially little ones), as the terrain will be quite uneven in places. If anybody usually does suffer from it, please have them take a remedy. The meeting point will be just after exiting the Qudra Last Exit's ADNOC gas station (where you may refuel), in the parking area in front of the Spicy Village restaurant. The convoy order below has been designed to have a more experienced member in front of each Newbie, so that the Newbies may be tutored in terms of lines, approaches and speed by the higher ranked drivers: @Andrew John Melvill in Second Lead @Emmanuelle Ifrah at #3 @nithish468 at #4 @J-P L at #5 @Giacomo at #6 @Victor Socaciu at #7 @Abhilash Kottakkal at #8 @Jon L at @9 and @Ishak in Sweep. See you all tomorrow afternoon, in time for a quick departure after 4:00 PM.