Ale Vallecchi

Thanks for the update @Niki Patel. See you soon.

@Thomas Varghese and @Ali Abas, thanks to the outstanding support the convoy is getting by very experienced seniors, and with a couple of changes to the routing in mind, the convoy will be increased to 10 members. Both of you are in this drive. Please confirm if OK with each of you. @Arda Yagciogluyou are now #1 in the WL.

Hi @Thomas Varghese. I had set the limit willingly to 8 (which means a 10 car convoy) due to the nature of the sand in the area where we are going. We had recced it with 2 other Marshals 2 weeks ago, and found it with lots of deep pockets and very soft sand patches, so I prefer to keep the convoy shorter. For the moment, it will remain as designed. Sorry for not being able to accommodate your kind request, for the time being. Thanks a lot for your understanding.

Hello @Ali Abas. You are waitlisted at #2. Thanks

Hello @Hasan Wahlan, check this link to transfer your previous experience:

@Foxtrot Oscar, Angela should I put you in Manage for this drive (I saw your name on our Excel sheet)? Thanks and welcome back.

Understood @Hasan Wahlan. You can have your previous offroading experience recognized and used to upgrade your ranking. I will find the link on the club's website and forward it to you. Thanks.

Hi @Thomas Varghese. You are waitlisted at #1. Thanks

Dear @Hasan Wahlan, thank you for registering for this weekday drive. However, the drive is reserved for Fewbie Plus members, that is any Fewbie with 5 or more drives, at Fewbie level (not overall). I am aware you currently have done only 1 Fewbie drive, so I will unfortunately have to sign you out of this convoy. Thanks for your understanding.

Highway to the Sun (Murqaab to Solar Park) - Drive Report "Inside you there is an artist you don't know about" - Rumi I always hope, and do my best, to challenge the members who join our drives, at any level. Very often, the challenges will not only come from without, and be of a technical or mechanical nature, but will be mostly from within, related to our willingness to go beyond our mental limitations. Our cars are all desert-ready (or we would not allow them to drive), and the sets of skills needed for each drive are already there (for the older members), and/or always explained and demonstrated by the Leaders, who repeat them any time a reminder is needed. What we have all lacked, at one time or another, is the conviction that a maneuver is possible., that even I can make it, that my car can manage that precise obstacle, that what one things is impossible is actually possible. Therefore, because I am convinced (by the fact that I myself managed to overcome), that inside each of our members there is an off-roader that one doesn't know (yet) about, I always do my best to bring that yet invisible off-roader out in the light, and make our members aware that, they too, have what it takes. At Absolute Newbie, and Newbie levels, this discovery is even more important, as it is what provides the drive and enthusiasm to continue, and eventually become addicted to this wonderful activity. Yesterday's drive had also this objective: testing the convoy's resolve to overcome obstacles usually more apt for a Fewbie level (even though in complete safety, which for Carnity is paramount). Discovering that "artist" in each of us. Hence, we launched into the tall yellow dunes just outside Murqaab, straight crossing and side sloping our way through them, briefly paused while coasting on the Highway to Solar Park, and turned off of it mid-way, to enter the testing part of the drive: the tall, tight, soft, and blindingly white dunes of Lisaili. Usually not a Newbie terrain, this is where the convoy gave its best, not so much in those, many, stretches where all went well, but rather in those few patches where the sand was soft, the slopes high and steep, and the ridges were hiding rock formations or bushes. With few exceptions, I felt most drivers had to push beyond their comfort zone, to either solve a refusal, climb a slope, or descend from a ridge. I trust that nobody took my pushing them over the radio in a personal way (I am sorry if this was the case): I am very proud and happy that in each occasion the convoy responded with determination and discipline, which eventually allowed us to reach our goal. My compliments and thanks go to @Lakshmi Narasimhan for a very good and disciplined Second Lead, to our Senior Advisor @Mehmet Volga for centering the convoy, moving along its length to supervise any refusal, and to @Shaaz Sha for sweeping us safely and effectively (good job to both of you, Mehmet and Shaaz for fixing a pop-out in record time). I am shaking hands enthusiastically with all the other members - @Ranjan Pattanaik (great handling of the Discovery), @Gregory and @Warren Flay (the very determined Pajero crew) @ARAGON (great debut at Newbie), @Pmaraziti (my Italian partner in crime) @Russ (managing the big truck with good finesse, and not just power) @JeromeFJ and @Chris Wing (perfecting their mastery of the FJ) @Roger K (nice job at the back, with not an easy car to deal with) @WaYan and @TT_Dubai (kudos for navigating with determination the churned sand at the back of the convoy). In the end the drive took us 51.5 Km from our starting point, in 4:21 hours (of which 2:18 moving, which is the testament that we stopped many times, and persevered), at an average speed of 12 Km/h (but a brisk 22 km/h while moving). Thank you all again for the drive, and see you soon again in the sand.

Hi @Niki Patel. There is no waiting list. You can sign up, and if you can see you won't be able to make it, you may withdraw. Thanks a lot

Dear Desertnauts. This drive caters to those who wish to search for "No Man's Lands", that is new and possibly unspoiled areas of Dubai, where off-roading may still seem like a true exploration, and the route is still as little planned as possible, and based on the curiosity to check this or that feature appearing on the horizon. There are advantages to driving on a weekday: the feeling of freedom from our weekly businesses and worries, and the luxury of venturing into virtually virgin terrain, where the few tracks that may have been carved during the weekend have been swept clean by the strong winds that blow from the sabkhas surrounding this particular area. We have established a Fewbie Plus level for this drive, due not so much to the driving skills required (they will be the same as those possessed by Fewbies), but because of the quality of the sand on this area, often soft and treacherous, as well as the presence of unexpected tight bowls, closing the way out of what may have appeared as a nice and easy set of long range dunes. This means that the drive will require just more experienced drivers, who may be used to self-recovering, or to a slightly faster pace, and quick maneuvers. The zenith (farthest point) of the drive will be the fence indicating the border with Abu Dhabi, and the nearby watering and feeding station for oryx, where, usually, tens of these lovely bovines can be seen roaming around. The final goal will be to exit at Solar Park, after returning from No Man's Land, through another "mysterious" stretch of Dubai's desert - The Middle Earth. Have a great Saturday, and see you on Tuesday.

Sorry @GauravSoni. It should be open now. Thanks

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 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. Drive Details Level: Fewbie PLUS Level and Above (Fewbies with minimum 5 Fewbie drives completed) When: 20 April 2021, Tuesday. Meeting time: 3:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Action Plan: A drive to further explore this almost virgin area, where almost no drivers go, due to its complicated entry, and its proximity to Abu Dhabi's border. It will be a good training ground for Fewbies looking to upgrade, as well as for higher rank's drivers searching for new areas to explore and drive on almost uncharted terrain. Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AtgREn7JpaU6XnaC9 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), face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 7:00PM THIS IS A COMPRESSOR ONLY DRIVE. WE WILL STARTING AND ENDING THE DRIVE AT THE SAME POINT, WHICH IS NOT CLOSE TO AN AIR LINE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPRESSOR, PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS DRIVE. IF YOU ARRIVE AND HAVE NO COMPRESSOR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO JOIN THE DRIVE. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 8 Fewbie Plus and above drivers. RSVP will close on Monday - 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. 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

Dear Desertnauts. Last minute warning Mu phone's screen died just a few minutes ago, and I do not have any substitute cell at hand. Therefore, for any urgent or last minute news, please write it here, and @Mehmet Volga, the other Senior in the drive, will be able to see it and relay it to me. See you tomorrow morning. Have a good rest.

@ARAGON we call "technical dunes" a set of tight dunes (close to each other), with steps in between, or small pockets, which give little room to maneuver, and require very good control of the car. These are places where cars proceed at quite a slow pace, will need to reduce their speed almost to zero while negotiating a step, and apply short bursts of acceleration to climb out of pockets or over steps. Longer and/or heavier cars may have more problems negotiating these areas, due to their reduces maneuverability, while less powerful cars may struggle getting our of pockets or climbing soft slip faces.

Thanks @Russ for reminding me. Find below, and in the drive's announcements. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q6UskoSE7r5b84EJ9

Dear Desertanuts. A few more info on tomorrow's drive. We will be meeting next to one of Murqaab's mosques, very near the exit from the highway. As you reach the meeting point, you may start deflating (my suggestion, due to the increasing heat, is to go for 12 PSI), and tune into Carnity Channel #3 (446.056). There are a few gas stations on the way to Murqaab, after the turnoff from E311, where you may top up your tank. The drive is essentially broken into 2 parts:. The first will be on Murqaab's tall yellow sand dunes, with plenty of space between the cordons, some long drops on either sides, and occasional patches of soft sand. We will roam this area to enjoy its high dunes, using our climbing skills, some straight crossing, but mostly looking for a gentle way around the cordons. We'll eventually reach a sabkha (broad, flat, hard. surface) which will lead us to The Highway. This is a sand track often beaten flat, and marked by metal poles, which crosses the more difficult technical area separating Murquaab from Margham and Lisaili. Having driven on the Highway to the Sun, we'll enter the white sand dunes of Lisaili. These are somewhat lower, as individual dunes, yet may be sharper on the crests, more difficult to read (due to refraction of the sun light), and a little tighter between the cordons, which occasionally form strings of sand bowls that we'll have to navigate, with good pace and convoy discipline. Out aim is to reach as close as possible to Solar Park, before exiting. The convoy order will be the following: @Lakshmi Narasimhan in Second Lead @Gregory at #3 @ARAGON as #4 @Ranjan Pattanaik will be #5 @Pmaraziti at #6 @Russ is going to be #7 @Mehmet Volga will anchor the convoy's center @Warren Flay in the #9 place @JeromeFJ as #10 @Roger K is going to wear #11 @WaYan at #12 @Chris Wing #13 @TT_Dubai will be #14, and @Shaaz Sha will Sweep the group to safety. Bring all your skills, concentration, and explorer's spirit to the drive. We'll drive with the sun warming our back, to enjoy this first Friday of Ramadan. Have a great end of the week.

Copy that @Thomas Varghese. Enjoy. Hellp @Rjducos. You are #3 on the WL. Thanks

Dear @Lorenzo Candelpergher, thank you very much for the opportunity to sweep your convoy. It was a delightful drive, in a beautiful area swept immaculately clean by a warm wind, with a small and efficient group of drivers. I truly enjoyed the possibility of refining my skills at driving behind some heavily churned tracks (how could it have been otherwise, with 3 powerful monster trucks and a mighty Land Cruiser ahead of me), looking for a clean approach to ridges, or working to balance the car on crests already marked by the convoy ahead. I found the effort refreshing and very useful: never underestimate the value of supporting a convoy, and how much it can teach about one's own driving skills, and needs to improve. Thanks @Shehab Alawadhi, @Thomas Varghese, @Ali Abas, @GauravSoni, @Jack Thomas and @Rob Harper for joining the drive, working together to make it a fast, and almost uninterrupted one. And what a great conclusion, riding into the sunset, with gazelles darting away in front of us. See you soon in the sand.

@Alain Canivet-Abikhalilyou are #3 in the WL. Thanks

Dear Desertnauts. As I enjoy finding a theme for all my itineraries, this one has been inspired by one recent Fewbie outing, when we found this perfectly laid track, just smoothed out by some kind of machinery, that allowed us to speed, highway style, from the yellow Murqaab dunes to the white Lisaili cordons, without having to worry about the very difficult technical terrain separating these two great off-roading areas. Combine the presence of this "highway" with the fact that the sun will constantly be at our back, rising in the east to west direction, and Solar Park will be our goal, to understand why we'll be enjoying a "Highway to the Sun" drive. Despite its romantic, and possibly comforting title, the drive itself will not be a particularly relaxing one, from the point of view of the technical difficulties of the two areas will explore. They both have some tall dunes: Murqaab with smoother and wider ridges, Lisaili with sharper ones. There will be soft sand patches in both. There are a few deep bowls in both, wider in Murqaab, and tighter in Lisaili, where they tend to form "canyons" of successive bowls, to ride as a rollercoaster. We'll proceed with care, working on our skills, mostly focusing on side sloping, and perhaps some rudiments of ridge-riding. @Pmaraziti, @ARAGON, @Lakshmi Narasimhan, @Russ, @JeromeFJ, @WaYan, @Gregory, @Chris Wing, @Warren Flay, @TT_Dubai, @Ranjan Pattanaik and @Roger K, thanks for joining, and stay tuned for more detailed drive's info coming to you this Thursday. Enjoy your wee. Hi @Thomas Varghese. You are #1 in the WL. Thanks @Lucas Neo you are #2 on the WL. Thanks a lot.

@Niekku you'll need to get back to drinking coffee 🙃