Ale Vallecchi

Hello @Ashok chaturvedi. Unfortunately no news. The drive is still full.

Dear Desertnauts. Time to prepare for tomorrow's morning drive. This time, we'll start in a very little driven area of Dubai, and will gradually move toward the better known stomping grounds. From the yellow dunes of Murqaab, we'll cross into the white dunes of Lisaili, with the goal of reaching first Solar Park, and on to an exit in the Qudra area (either at Bab al Shams or Qudra Parking). We'll drive with care through the more technical parts of these areas, but also with speed and more exciting maneuvers in the longer range dunes we'll find from the middle of the itinerary onward. The drive is supposed to be quite long-range, so we'll try to move at a brisk pace, looking to practice all our off-roading skills. As mentioned, one of the purposes of the drive is to support the FJ Cruiser's drivers in getting more acquainted with their cars, so there may be a few extra information that will be shared with them, in terms of which gears to use, how to best approach obstacles, and what to expect from this unique vehicle. These will be the convoy order: @Foxtrot Oscar will be my Second Lead @Mohamed Abo ElKomsan will drive in the #3 position @Arda Yagcioglu will take #4 @Abu Muhammad will be #5 @Ahab Shamaa will take the spot #6 @Piotr Kolodziej at #7 @Pancho will anchor the convoy in the middle @Tero Vallas is going to be #9 @David Ortells will have #10 @Karthik Krishnakumar will drive at #11 @Heisem takes spot #12 @Kailas will be driver #13, and @Najeeb Mohammed will return in the Sweep position. The meeting place will be just opposite Murqaab Mosque, where we can line up and start deflating as soon as we arrive (to about 12-13 PSI). Once at the deflation point, please tune into Carnity Channel #2 (446.031). Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, I wish you a nice Wednesday evening.

Hello @Ashok chaturvedi. The drive is full and closed at the moment. You'll be #1 in the WL. Thanks Hello @Sreenath Giridharan. You are currently #2 on the WL. Thanks

Dear Desertnauts. Let's get ready for tomorrow's drive. This will be the convoy order: @Federico Galbieri will retain his #2 spot, from our pervious drive @Kaile Barrameda will follow at #3 @GauravSoni will be at #4 @sri ganesh in spot #5 @Pickey Singh will occupy the #6 spot @Federico De Chirico will be the #7 @Sandeep Padhi will be at #8 @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ will take place at #9 @Aravind Padmaraju will drive with #10 @Ahab Shamaa will be #10 @Malachy McGrogan will follow at #12, and @Foxtrot Oscar will Sweep at #13. A few notes about the meeting time and place. Please remember that from tomorrow we'll start meeting at 6:00 AM. Nonetheless, please try to be punctual or even a little early, as we'd like to start the drive as soon as possible (the sun will rise at 6:35, so it would be great if we were able to move as the sun comes up, or even earlier). The meeting and deflation point will be just off the tarmac road. Please make sure NOT TO REACH FAQA TOWN, but to TAKE THE EXIT BEFORE FAQA: it's marked, on the map, and consists in a road veering to the right of the tarmac a few Km before Faqa town, going through a fenced gate, and continuing through some dunes first then a sabkha area. Once you reach the meeting point, please tune into Carnity Channel 1 (446.006). Tomorrow's drive will take place in a slightly less used area for Newbies. Nonetheless, the nature of the northern sector of Faqa, with waves of long range, relatively open dunes, allows for safe travel also by Newbies in search for a bit of a challenge. Hence, this will be a Newbie outing with the chance to taste, in a safe and controlled manner, some of the challenges to come once achieved a higher rank. It will provide the convoy with ample opportunities to practice low side slopes, riding on smooth, wide ridges, and straight crossing low dunes, honing one's off-roading skills, especially in the areas of finesse and control. We feel confident that it can be a nice and intriguing drive: follow instructions carefully and calmly, and stay concentrated, to find the perfect feeling between yourselves, your car and the terrain we'll drive in. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning for a leisurely and pleasant drive.

@Ahab Shamaa any advice coming from @Rahimdad is gold. His experience, and the fact that he can do virtually anything with a very regular car (no disrespect is meant) shows you how it's always the driver's choice to make the difference. In the case of the almost roll-over, no amount of power, no super high clearance, no other fancy mod, would have saved the driver. It was just his luck that the car didn't roll. Going back to Rahim bhai's advise, if the Pajero had approached from a wider/higher angle, and had stayed higher on the slope, he would have gained/kept the momentum (why do you think parabolic curves aid drivers in race tracks?), and gravity would not have taken over. Having failed that, of course, his capital sin was fighting gravity (he should have gone down the slope to his left, and re-attampted). This weekend be ready to put Rahimdad's suggestions to good use. There'll plenty of slopes to ride slopes, and plenty of opportunities to climb them, or to make a safe exit, rather than fighting a losing uphill battle.

Hello @Ahab Shamaa. Are you still up for this drive? I can add you to the convoy. Please let me know.

Dear Desertnauts. Looking forward this Saturday's drive, a few tips about what's to come. First, as you saw from the title, this would be an FJ "preferential drive". While at Carnity we appreciate and encourage diversity, actively seeking it, we also understand that occasionally it may be valuable for members driving the same car to share an off-roading experience, to learn from each other, and develop a sense of community within the community. As we saw the FJ pack grow, it seems right to dedicate one such drive to this vehicle. @Ahab Shamaa, @David Ortells, @Heisem, @Piotr Kolodziej, and @Najeeb Mohammed, welcome to the FJ pack. On the other hand, all other cars and drivers are also welcome, up to the maximum limit for the drive. So @Arda Yagcioglu, @Mohamed Abo ElKomsan, @Kailas, @Tero Vallas, @Karthik Krishnakumar and @Pancho, it's good to see you yoin the FJ pack. The drive will take us through a little travelled part of Dubai, first: Murqaab's large and ling range, yellow tinted dunes. Past this area, a marked sand track will take us across an area of technical dunes, to reach the eastern reaches of Lisaili. From here the goal is to run along Lisaili's dune cordons, to Solar Park, and from here, past the pylon track, into Bab al Shams, where we plan to exit. There will be a lot of side sloping, ridge riding and dune's crossing to keep the FJ oack busy, and challenge all other drivers as well. While more info will follow on Friday, I wish you all a great week.

Well done @Heisem. Looking forward to driving with you.

BRAVA @Vanessa8580. It's a pleasure driving with you.

Hello @Athula Dharmadada. You are #4 on the WL. Thanks

Dear Desertnauts @Malachy McGrogan, @Sandeep Padhi, @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ, @Federico De Chirico, @Federico Galbieri, @Pickey Singh, @sri ganesh, @Aravind Padmaraju, @Sai Baskaran, @GauravSoni and @Kaile Barrameda Welcome to next Friday's Newbie drive. We have planned to drive in an area slightly more challenging than our usual stomping grounds. We will meet in a sabkha area (one of those wind-swept, barren and flat stretches of desert), gradually enter an area of long range open dunes, then get deeper into a higher plateau with taller, tighter, dune cordons. This whole area, and especially the first part of the drive, will cross an environment where numerous trees, lonely or in small groups, dot the landscape. This abundance of trees, thriving on a shallow aquifer, is the reason why the drive is nicknamed "The Arboretum". It will be a bit like driving in a park. We will scale the drive up, or down, depending on the convoy's behavior, possibly choosing to cross into slightly more difficult areas if all drivers feel comfortable with it. More updates on the day before the drive. In the meantime, enjoy your week.

Dear @varunmehndiratta, I thank you very much for registering for this drive. However, I have been informed that you have not yet done your first Absolute Newbie trip, which as you know is mandatory for any new member of Carnity. In fact, no matter the member's off-roading level, this first Absolute Newbie drive is necessary to receive the briefing about the club's requirements and expectations, as well as for evaluating each driver's knowledge about this sport. Therefore, I have removed you from this drive, and am looking forward to seeing you at the earliest occasion, after you complete your introduction to Carnity. Thanks a lot for understanding.

Hello @Ahab Shamaa. You are #1 on the WL. Thanks a lot.

Hello @Tamas Hoffmann. You are #1 on the WL. Hi @Kailas. You are #2 on the WL. Thanks Hello @Abu Muhammad. You are #3 on the WL Hi @Mukundan Nair. You are #4 on the WL.

Bravo @Nizam Deen!! Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Very well done @Kailas. Your dedication is paying off (and now it's @Gok Krish time to follow in your footsteps 😅).

Very well done @Ahab Shamaa!!! Perhaps you may want to leave the Newbie drives behind, and dive right away into the Fewbie drives: there is a treat coming up this weekend (especially if you have an FJ 😉).

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: Newbie and Above When: 13 November 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 6:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Action Plan: Navigate around and through some long range dunes, with opportunities for straight crossing and some side sloping. We may cross occasional technical dunes, where more precision and finesse will be required. The pace of the drive will be leisurely. Meeting Point: https://maps.google.com/?q=24.727729,55.558290 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: 10:30 AM 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 12 Newbie and above drivers. 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. 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

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 and above When: 14 November 2020, Saturday Action Plan: IMPORTANT NOTICE - This drive CATERS TO FJ CRUISER'S DRIVERS, PREFERABLY. As we have seen the FJ community steadily grow within Carnity, we would like to offer drivers of this unique car the possibility of getting together, and learning from each other. Not only Fewbie, but also Inermediate or Advance FJ drivers are invited to join this reunion. Of course, ALL OTHER CAR OWNERS ARE ALSO WELCOMED, until the maximum number of drivers is reached. Meeting time: 6:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DXx81zpd3cYGq9ZW8 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: 10:00 AM THIS IS A COMPRESSOR ONLY DRIVE. WE WILL END THE DRIVE AT A 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 10 Fewbies and above drivers. 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. 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

The day of records: 100 Km Challenge successfully completed - Trip Report Even though we knew from the previous Challenge that driving 100+ Km in close to 4 hours is possible, there is always an element of uncertainty in such drives. In case of this particular itinerary, from Faqa to Qudra, one variable that adds to its difficulty is that, except from the first part of Faqa, all major dune cordons must be crossed from the slip-face side. This means that criss-crossing is trickier than when approaching from the dunes' hard-face, and that sometimes one must find a way around the cordons. However, there is an advantage with doing this drive in the morning, and in this direction, and that is not having the sun in one's face, making visibility easer. Another element of uncertainty of this drive was the length of the convoy: while the first Challenge was driven by 5 cars, the Sequel saw a convoy of 8 drivers. Initially this many cars worried me a little, also in light of the relative "greenness" of some of the drivers, tackling their first or second Intermediate drive. In the end, it was such a pleasant surprise to see all perform impeccably, bringing home an almost perfect record of no stucks, the only delays being 2 pop-outs. After a quick deflation and briefing, the convoy moved at 6:17am, first almost at a leisurely pace, in order to ease the transition of the new Intermediates to the new rank, than slowly picking up speed, driving smoothly toward each planned leg of the itinerary. We reached the first way-point at the end of Faqa in 1:02 hours; the second way-point at the end of Little Sweihan was reached in 1:40 hours., after taking care of our first pop-out (and changing the damaged tire); the third planned break, at the confluence of Solar Park into the "Bab al Shams" sector, in just another 1:02 hours (in spite of a second pop-out, this time sorted out just by re-inflating; finally we exited at Qudra west (next to the big farm on the tarmac road to Qudra Parking in exactly another hour. The most tested skills of the day, besides basic dunes' straight and criss crossing, and finesse-driving in the few technical areas, were bowl riding, and especially ridge riding, this latter mostly toward the end of the drive, on Qudra's super long range dunes. I was really happy to see the convoy move in unison, almost never breaking stride: well done @Mehmet Volga, @Yousef Alimadadi, @Biju Abdul, @marks, @Gregory Perkin, @Jorge Stepniak Felippe and @Janarthan. Comparing this Challenge to the previous one, we took 3:41 hours of driving time (Vs. 3.18 h), for 114.6 KM. (Vs. 104.4), at a slightly lower average speed of 23 Km/h Vs. 26Km/h (and 31Km/h while moving Vs. 32Km/h), climbing for 871 meters Vs. 570 meters. Thanks a lot for joining this challenge, and hope to see you soon on the sand.

Thanks @Nivin. See you soon.

@Yousef Alimadadi I just saw you added your name to the drive. Do you confirm you will join? Thanks a lot.

Dear Desertnauts. Time to get ready for tomorrow's drive. Meeting time is confirmed at 6:00AM, on a sabkha adjacent to the tarmac road leading off to the right from the Dubai-Al Ain highway. Make sure that you do not reach Faqa town (it's happened before to sleepy drivers), but please pay attention to your Google Map's directions, and leave the highway at the exit before Faqa Town. It will then be a few kilometers before you'll reach the marked meeting/deflation point. The road is dark, and seemingly leading nowhere, but it'll be the right road. Given that the convoy is made up by a fair number of newly promoted Intermediates, we'll start as leisurely as possible, in an area with wide open dunes, where we'll be able to warm up to the more challenging parts of the drive, coming up during the second and fourth hour in the planned itinerary. The convoy numbering will be as follows: @Janarthan in Second Lead @Mehmet Volga will line-up at #3 @Biju Abdul at #4 @marks in position #5 @Gregory Perkin will be #6 @Jorge Stepniak Felippe at #7, and @Nivin will sweep the group. Once arrived at the meeting place, please deflate to about 12 PSI. We'll check the pressure again toward the middle of the drive, before entering the dune canyons of Little Sweihan. Also, please tune into Carnity Channel 2 (446.031). Have a nice rest, in preparation for this ling-range marathon, and see you all tomorrow.