Ale Vallecchi

Yes @varunmehndiratta (and all drivers) the meeting time is 5:30 AM. The sunrise is at 5:51 AM and light will break at 5:27 AM, so no need to meet too early.

Dear Desertnauts. A few important info about tomorrow's drive. FIRST - Please note the new meeting point is the following: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5nVsM5gJRN6EYMWP8 This is just a couple hundred meters further ahead than the old one, and on the left side of the tarmac (in the direction of Solar Park). The location has been changed due to the ongoing roadworks next to the original meeting point. Once you'll reach, line up according to the arrangement below: CONVOY ONE - with Ale Vallecchi will be made of: @Zixuan Huang - Charlie @Mahesh Khatry @Alexanderrr @Nibu Venu @Ferl Brown @Tom V @Pieter Potgieter @Ajit John @Ramandbx (please confirm) @Rsjiv Samuel, and @Islam Soliman with @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ in support PLEASE LINE UP JUST NEXT TO THE TARMAC, ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD (look out for oncoming vehicles while crossing). This convoy will be on Carnity Channel #1 (446.006) CONVOY TWO - With @Gaurav will be made of: @kiranshinde @Joji varghese @Savio Fernandes @Adam James @Damien Ranjit @Gilbert Khalil @Naim Aoun @munkybizness @Hilal Sharafudeen @Richard Franks @topgear, and @varunmehndiratta in support. PLEASE LINE UP TO THE LEFT OF CONVOY 1 (MORE AWAY FROM THE TARMAC) , ALSO ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD (look out for oncoming vehicles while crossing). This convoy will be on Carnity Channel #2 (446.031) Once reached the meeting point, and verified you are with the right convoy, please start deflating. Each convoy will be briefed separately by myself and Gaurav, and we'll move a few minutes apart from each other. The drive will take us in search of water (or remnants of it), first in the southernmost parts of Qudra, south of the bike track, then slowly northward, toward the more technical areas of central Qudra, and eventually west, closer to the Bab al Shams road. We expect to exit at the manmade Qudra Lakes, just next to the Last Exit. We have prepared an itinerary of just under 60 Km, so we'll focus on more open terrain, to practice mostly side sloping, and straight crossing. Looking forward to seeing all of you tomorrow. Enjoy the end of the short week.

Hello @Ramandbx. I am about to close the drive for good. Do you wish to participate, or can I let another member in? Thanks a lot for your prompt reply. Hi @Zixuan Huang - Charlie. I can sign you up if you wish to confirm. Thanks a lot.

Yes, sorry @Joji varghese. My mistake. I will add you as well, if you confirm. Thanks

Dear @Russ, @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil, @Sunil Mathew and @Chinthaka Ruwan the drive is now open. You can add yourselves to the drive. Thanks.

Dear @munkybizness, @Ramandbx, @mkhatry, @Alexanderrr and @kiranshinde if you please confirm I will add you tp tomorrow's drive. Thanks

Dear @Ajit John @mkhatry @Savio Fernandes @Adam James @Gilbert Khalil You have been added to the drive. We will have a double convoy, one of which will be lead by @Gaurav. For the moment @munkybizness, @Ramandbx, @Joji vargheseand @Alexanderrr you will be from #1 to #4 in the waiting list, until the drive will open up again also to "second drives". Thanks to all for your confirmation and participation.

Hi @Pieter Potgieter. I have added you as the 12th driver. @Alexanderrr you are also added to the waiting list. Thanks

So the wait list, based on each member's time of request, at the moment looks like this (considering that precedence will be given to members not already signed up in other drives, this order may be modified to reflect this): @Piotr Kolodziej @munkybizness (2nd drive) @Ramandbx (2nd drive) @Ajit John @mkhatry @Savio Fernandes @Adam James @Joji varghese (3rd drive) @Gilbert Khalil All members who have not confirmed if this is their first or second drive please do so, in order to give the right priority to each. Thanks

Hi @Adam James. Would this be your first or second drive of the weekend? Thanks

Yes @varunmehndiratta, this being a long weekend.

Dear @Pieter Potgieter if this is your only drive of the weekend, I can sign you up, as there is an open spot. Please confirm. Thanks Dear @munkybizness, @Ramandbx, @Ajit John and @mkhatry can you please inform if this would be your only drive of the weekend, or you are already signed up in another drive? Precedence in the waiting list goes to members who still have not signed up in another drive. Thanks.

Dear @Russ, @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil, @Lawrence_Chehimi, @Sunil Mathew and @Chinthaka Ruwan you are all in the Wait List, in the order as above. I am pretty sure you'll all be able to join. Stay ready !! 👍

Dear @Ferl Brown, @Nibu Venu, @kiranshinde, @mkhatry, @AMBATI. In order to move forward with your drives, please follow the instructions below to register with the Club's Whatsapp Notification Number, and to sign-up with your drive of choice: Every Sunday we send two WhatsApp notifications: Morning at 11 AM: Drive plan with all drive details Evening at 7 PM: Drive link with calendar to RSVP All drives calendar will go live at 7 PM, every Sunday, so that everyone gets a fair chance to sign up. Please note that some drives do get filled within a few minutes, so please leave your name in the drive post as a wait list, and trip lead will add your name if anyone drops out. To prevent all drives getting full on Sunday by multiple RSVP. We like to request everyone to pick ONE DRIVE initially and then book your second or third drive on Wednesday onward, please. Sun - Tuesday - Limiting one drive per member Wednesday Onward - RSVP on multiple drives ______________________________________ Please join the Carnity Drive Notification - WhatsApp group for receiving off-road drive notifications. If you are an old member, please verify that you are still part of this WhatsApp broadcast list. P.S. We strictly limit this to drive notifications and critical announcements only.

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 strictly follow these guidelines. MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions Ban from Carnity Off-road Club Two Way Radio Guidelines Drive Details Level: Fewbie plus and above Meeting time: 3:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EHRjcHv4SDm6pTbX7 Action Plan: While there have 100 Km challenges at Intermediate level, and occasionally have stretched Fewbie drives to longer ones, this time I'd like to challenge Fewbie Pluses to cover as much ground as possible, crossing from Dubai's Bab al Shams to Sharjah's outskirts of Faqa. We will need to be concentrated at every dune we'll cross, find always the smoother track, minimize and expedite refusals, to cover as much ground as possible, with the goal to equal or better my longest Fewbie drive, of 82Km. 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: 7:00 PM P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 10 cars maximum. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 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. Members that do not confirm the terms of the COVID requirements will be removed from the RSVP list. 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

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. MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions Ban from Carnity Off-road Club Two Way Radio Guidelines Drive Details Level: Newbie and above (all levels) Meeting time: 5.30 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5nVsM5gJRN6EYMWP8 Action Plan: We'll drive from Solar Park's tarmac road toward the Bab al Shams's road, crossing the southern Qudra area, in search of .... water, that is either the remnants of its presence, or the still active and maintained water springs and lakes that characterize this part of Dubai's desert (not the well known, "touristy" ones, but the truly natural bodies of water, springing and flowing amidst the sand). We'll cross all sorts of dunes, tall and low, open and tight, mostly in a south to north direction, working on our side-sloping and dune crossing (mostly straight, with first rudiments of easy criss-crossing, when possible with absolute safety). 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: 9:30 AM P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 12 cars maximum. RSVP will close on Wednesday - 5 PM. 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. Members that do not confirm the terms of the COVID requirements will be removed from the RSVP list. 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

@Bernard Kalaani, @Usman Basit, @Mahmoud ALhamed, it's 5:30AM. We have moved to this point for the briefing: https://maps.app.goo.gl/32GFh82qjioedqZn9 Please reach here before 6AM (follow Google Maps' directions, a couple of Ks from here), if you are on the way. Thanks

@Usman Basitnon worries, we'll provide one for tomorrow. Thanks

Thanks @kiranshinde. Please also inform if you have a radio.

Dear @Mahmoud ALhamed, @kiranshinde and @Usman Basit, will you have a radio with you? Thanks a lot and see you tomorrow.

Thank you @mkhatry. Also, do you have a radio? See you tomorrow. Hello @Ferl Brown. You will find the meeting point in the post's details. Can I ask if you have a radio? Thanks Thanks @Nibu Venu. Will you have a radio with you? Thanks

Desert Highway 66: Lisaili to Faqa - Drive Report "Veni, vidi, vici" - Julius Cesar We came, We saw, We conquered. Indeed, we drove swiftly, accomplishing the goal of reaching Faqa through almost uncharted terrain, mainly enjoying the silence, with minimal "casualties" (i.e. refusals and stucks), especially in the first segment (Lisaili to Murqab). It was then necessary to find again the concentration and focus, lost probably due to a longer break than necessary, in order to face the second stretch of the drive. This presented a variety of terrains, requiring to drive skillfully, mixing multiple criss-crossing with careful navigation of some soft crests and bowls. We reached the intended exit point with uncanny precision, exactly 3 minutes before the setting of the sun. The beautiful light at dusk, infusing the yellow sand with a warm reddish glow, allowed us to continue for a few extra minutes, to complete some long ridge-riding of the low but sharp and soft dunes, that border the northern side of Faqa'a sabkha, just before reaching the tarmac. I was very happy with the performance of the whole convoy, where especially the new Fewbie Pluses drove without flinching, and everybody came to the rescue of whoever was in need of support, showing great readiness, competence and care for each other. Following up the drive, my only reminder, and recommendation, is to never break convoy order, unless strictly necessary for safety purposes, and always announce it, if the need arises. Even though nothing serious happened, I issued a couple of warnings during the drive, which I am sure will be remembered and will come useful in the future. Special thanks go to @Lakshmi Narasimhan for his great Second Lead, @Craig Finlayson for a commanding anchoring role, @Russ for his first, clean Sweep, and to @Ashok chaturvedi and @GauravSoni for their readiness and availability to assist at the front and back of the convoy, with suggestions and recoveries. Extremely well driven drive also by the debuting Fewbie Pluses - @Zixuan Huang - Charlie and @Sunil Mathew. Very good driving also by @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil (your stucks happened at the beginning and the end of the second part, and may have been caused by loss of concentration), as well as a very silent, hence perfect drive, by @Chinthaka Ruwan and @Ranjan Das. The drive ended after 2:26 hours of driving (plus 1:10 min of breaks, for a total of 3:36 hours), covering 67.4 Km, driven at a fast average moving speed of 28 Km/h (19 Km/h total). Well done to all of you, and see you soon again out there.

Dear soon to be Desertnauts. @Ferl Brown, @Mahmoud ALhamed, @Nibu Venu, @kiranshinde and @mkhatry, Welcome to Carnity! As you are aware of, this is a drive strictly for who has never been off road with Carnity. In preparation for it, it is important that you inform us if: you have any prior off-road experience; your vehicle has front and rear tow hooks / eyelets. Before joining the drive on Friday morning, you will need to have viewed the introductory videos (links above). Please also make sure you are equipped with a tire deflator and a tire pressure gauge (sometimes they are all in one tool). You will need these. If you have an off-road flag as well that would he great. In case you do not have a flag mount on your car, you may look for a flag with suction cups, which can be easily placed on one of the rear windows. Even if the drive should end near a gas station, where they have an air compressor, if you have your own please bring it along, as it may be quicker than waiting in line. So, to recap, useful tools to carry would be: tire deflator (must) tire pressure gauge (must) off-road flag air compressor All these items should be available at any ACE or Speedex store, as well as at Dragon Mart. Regarding the area of the drive, we will access the desert from a less used entry point, along the road going from Qudra Parking (where you can use the ADNOC gas station to fill up your tank), toward the Bab al Shams Resort. Follow carefully the Google Maps directions: once you turn off the tarmac road (after circling a roundabout next to a mosque), you will cross through the bike track, and an opening between roadworks being done along the bike track. Once arrived at the meeting point, we'll conduct a final inspection of your cars (sufficient clearance and accessible tow points are a must, without which you'll be turned back). Following a detailed technical briefing, we'll be ready to enter the dunes, and start your off-roading adventure. This area is rarely used by other clubs, and the sand is much cleaner ad smoother, so this is an ideal ground to move your first steps in the desert. Any new member who's planning to join this introductory drive, please contact me on this thread for any preparatory question. In the meantime have a great rest of the week.