Ale Vallecchi

15 hours ago, RiadJL said:

Any chance for a Carnity newbie to join?

Hi @RiadJL. Unfortunately not. Sorry about it. Thanks for asking. 

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  3:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jPFt8TQZLskmoKvQ8

Action Plan: An excursion from Lisaili's camel track into the dunes toward Murqaab, looking for camel trains. This is the area in Dubai with the best chance to still view the traditional way of life of the camel caravans. It will give us an excuse to spend a relaxing day out in the wild, enjoying nature and the cool weather. 

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: 06:30 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMENDED 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 

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:30 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ad3jtUxte198keZt6

Action Plan: This time we plan a drive from opposite Sweihan's Darzood Village, through Nagra Hill to Marmun Dairy, essentially driving an express route from E16 to E95. We plan to manage a fast-paced drive, moving through long range dunes, to large bowls, and open sabkhas. The weather is forecasted to be from very cloudy to rainy, and this, plus the fast pace, will be enough to guarantee a pleasant day out on the sand. 

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: 6:30 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMENDED 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,

preparing for tomorrow's drive, find the meeting point in the drive's post. We will meet under the pylons, on the road between Qudra's Last Exit and Solar Park. You can reach the meeting point driving around the roundabout and back toward Qudra, just a few meters before the pylon line, on the right.

Prepare for a long-range drive, moving east toward the Solar Tower, down toward Faqa, back west along the field of solar mirrors, across Little Sweihan, and back up toward the Innovation Center (this last part may be the most tedious, due to heavy vegetation).

The convoy order at the moment is the following:

@Faraz94 in Second Lead

@Emanuel at #3

@Sreenath G at #4

@Mahmoud Taha at the Center position

@Mahesh_ at #6

@george charbel at #7, and 

@Charbel in Sweep.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a nice Saturday evening.

Dear @Martin Schwaiger, thanks a lot for joining this drive. I see from your profile that you have not done any drives with Carnity yet, which makes you an Absolute Newbie (at least for our club). Since this drive is planned for Fewbie Plus members, I will have to remove you from it. At the same time, you may join one of the Newbie drives, this week or the next. Thanks a lot for your understanding.

Level:  Fewbie Plus and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  8:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WKuQJoi61bdYVKfL7

Action Plan: Now that Solar Park has almost reached its completion, and that its "sun" (AKA the Solar Tower AKA the Eye of Sauron) shines its bright light to the furthest reaches of the Emirate, we'll dust off an old Long-Range Drive of mine, that will take us in a complete circular revolution around Solar Park, from Qudra/Lisaili's side, through "the Chimney" route, to Murqaab side, down to Faqa, across Little Sweihan, and back up to Solar Park's Innovation Center. Approximately 100 Km of varied terrains, to be completed with the favor of driving across the dune's hard faces (except perhaps the last stretch).

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: 12:00 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMENDED 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,

very few things to mention before the drive.

The meeting point will be at Solar Park's Innovation Center (the glass pyramid), where we'll deflate upon arrival and from where will take the sand track down to the Little Sweihan area. We could actually cross the section of dunes between Solar Park and Little Sweihan, but it's become an absolute nightmare, with grass, bushes, small trees, and lots of bumps.

At the tip of the Little Sweihan dunes we'll start following the waypoint, trying to "draw" the dragon shape in the sand. It may be a little tricky at times, as we'll have to cross both through the hard and slip faces of the dunes.

The convoy order at the moment is the following:

@Gautam Banka in Second Lead

@Renier Venter at #3

@Julien Recan at #4

@lucas amat at #5

@Arravind at #6

@Pacific in the Center

@frederic demolder at #8

@Bravoecho at #9

@Robk at #10 and 

@Stumpy in Sweep.

See you all tomorrow, a few minutes before the scheduled meeting time. Thanks for joining.

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wEiqyzbm4UTY7AaT8

Action Plan: As some of you know, this Friday Feb. 9th is the last day of the lunar calendar. To usher in the new Year of the Dragon, we'll drive to a nice open desert area where our convoy's tracks will draw a dragon shape on the sand. I have laid waypoints on the map that should allow us to create this "Nazca lines" shape, if followed and reached correctly. Obviously, it's an excuse for a nice afternoon drive to open the weekend.

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: 05:30 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMENDED 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 Desertnats.

Quick tips about tomerow's drive.

Gasoline - as suggested by Frederic above, the closest station to the meeting point is at https://maps.app.goo.gl/soX1HikBfnwUwqvC6. Make sure you top up to the brim. The distance we plan to cover approximates 90 Km. Plus the 40 to the meeting point that will need enough fuel for about 130, 150 Km. max. Consumption will be lower for the first 40 Km on tarmac, and the final 20 Km on a streight dirt road.

Picnic lunch - Planned at the Tree Dune. Bring your favourite food, to be enjoyed cold during our break. We will not be out of the desert until around 3PM.

Convoy order - The short convoy will start as follows:

@Marek_was003 in Second Lead

@Shaun J at #3

@Aser at #4

@PAJERO petelczyc luke in Sweep

Let's meet just before 9 AM and enjoy the fill day exploration in this beautiful piece of desert. See you tomorrow. 

2 hours ago, Marek_was003 said:

It appears that the nearest gas station is 60 km away from the meeting point (here). @Ale Vallecchi, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe my 50L tank can turn out to be no match for the adventure, and I have one last day to arrange a 20L jerry can ?

Hi @Marek_was003. Thanks for bringing it up, and thanks to @Frederic for providing the location of the closer gas station. The one time I did that track, I managed with one full tank (78 lts) all the way from that gas station and back halfway between AD and Dubai on E11. Plus the last part of the drive will be on a dirt track, all streight and easy to manage. I think you can do it. Please let me know what you decide. Thanks a lot. 

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  9:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kn49TmZWyWsDzpB17

Action Plan: The search for clean sand this time will bring us to the Bu Tais area, with a very simple plan: explore this far away angle of AD's desert, on the way to the so called "Bu Tais Tree Dune", a fascinating bowl with a small oasis of palm trees at its bottom.  As Churchill would have said, "we know (the drive) will be hard, we expect it to be long, and we cannot predict its tribulations" 😉. Jokes apart, I can only predict that this will be a long and interestingly challenging drive, from which we count to leave the "tribulations" away. Come with a very full tank, refreshments, and some food, as we plan to have a picnic lunch at the Tree Dune.

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: 03:30 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMENDED 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 Traffic Jam drive, we'll tackle the tighter dunes of Qudra's southern quadrant from the Bab al Shams road. Reach the third roundabout on the road from Qudra's Last Exit to Bab al Shams, turn back toward Qudra and exit at the first opening through the guard-rail, and follow the track to the meeting and deflation point.

Kindly reach the meeting point a little ahead of the starting time, so we may leave punctually.

We will line up the convoy as follows:

@Pacific in Second Lead

@sohinik at #3

@Dev_ at #4

@Dr Tanveer Ahmed at #5

@Arravind at #6

@Anoop Nair at Center

@MohamedSherif at #8

@frederic demolder at #9 and 

@Robk in Sweep.

Tips on technical driving will be given before the drive, so that we may tackle the crowded and misaligned dunes, separated by soft shallow sand bowls, with patience and skills.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time: 2:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UL5oJjGybSUxqwRg8

Action Plan: Following previous episodes of past weekends' Rush Hour series, we're going to start this weekend with a variation of the theme. As driving through Dubai traffic has lately required that drivers show their patience and control, similarly we'll test these two skills with a drive planned to proceed at a slow but steady pace through some of the tighter areas of Qudra's southern quadrant. We'll drive as far as we can in a 2-hour period, after which we'll stop the drive, enjoy the weather, and proceed toward the exit, as well as the beginning of the weekend's celebrations. Keeping a pace over 20 Km/h will be our challenge. 

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: 05:30 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMENDED 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

20 hours ago, Rafey Hashmi said:

Hey @Ale Vallecchi,

Any chances of being added to the drive? 😊

Hello @Rafey Hashmi. Please join the drive if you wish. I can add you once you confirm. Thanks 

Hello @Faraz94. You have been added to the drive from the waiting list. Do you confirm you'll be joining? Thanks a lot. 

3 hours ago, Zeeshan Patel said:

Hi @Ale Vallecchi any chance to get added on the drive please ?

Hello @Zeeshan Patel. Sorry to disappoint, but this us already a 15 car convoy, which is as long as it can be safely managed. Thanks for asking. 

1 hour ago, Rafey Hashmi said:

Hey @Ale Vallecchi,

Any chances of being added to the drive? 😊

Hello @Rafey Hashmi. Let me confirm to you by tomorrow, if you don't mind. Thanks 

Dear @Mehmet Volga, welcome back to the desert. I have added you to manage the convoy, See you on Sunday.

Dear Desertnauts,

let's get ready for this Sunday's afternoon drive.

As this will be Part 2 of this Two for One episode, and the meeting point has been indicated as the Al Namoos cateferia, adjacent to Skydive Dubai (not the one in Marina 😁), you may reach the location as early as you wish and are welcome to join the lunch we'll have there with the Newbie convoy (planned exit at 12:00 PM). 

Once we'll have reached Lisaili (through a short drive on the tarmac) we will move along the camel track, to reach the entry to Lisaili proper, and we'll go from here to Faqa, mostly across very technical terrain.

The convoy order at the moment is the following:

@Jessica Lambert in Second Lead

@Marek_was003 at #3

@Julien Recan at #4

@Maytham Mahroos at #5

@Arravind at #6

@Gurcharan Mehta in the Center

@Robk at #8

@Gautam Banka at #9

@frederic demolder at #10 and 

@Patrick van der Loo in Sweep.

See you all on Sunday. Have a nice weekend.

Dear Desertnauts,

in preparation for this Sunday's morning drive, here's what to expect.

We plan to drive in a relatively complex terrain, made more challenging by the closeness of many of the dunes' cordons, with potential soft sand pockets, that will require careful "technical" driving, made of great control of the accelerations, respect of the convoy discipline - keeping enough distance between the cars - to allow for timely stopping, as well as to make sure that the preceding car has cleared the obstacle, and at the same time not to lose the tracks. 

Just the very first segment of the drive will see us moving on rather open territory, with nice large bowls and longer ridges, never too high or steep.

Please reach the meeting point a few minutes before 8:00 AM, so that you may start deflating and preparing your car, to ensure a timely departure, as close to the scheduled time as possible. A detailed briefing about all the necessary skills and rules to manage the drive smoothly and safely will be given a few minutes after the start, once into the dunes.

Once the drive has exited, at a nice desert cafeteria (Al Namoos), all drivers are welcome to enjoy their lunch in the desert. 

The convoy order will be the following:

@Bhaskar in Second Lead

@Nicolò at #3 (make sure you review once again all the introductory material)

@Shaun J at #4

@Nizar Shawwa at #5

@Menon at #6

@bony raphi in the Center position

@Abdul Hanaan at #8

@Soufiane at #9

@karim hamandi at #10

@SamBha at #11

@Abdullah N at #12

@Maytham Mahroos at #13, and 

@Bjoern in Sweep.

See you on Sunday morning.

Dear @Raxas, thanks for signing up to the drive. Unfortunately, this is a Fewbie and above drive, while you are currently listed as Newbie. I am sorry to have to sign you out of this drive. Sorry to disappoint. I hope you'll understand.

Hello @Gautam Banka. You have been added to the drive from the Waiting List. Kindly confirm. Thanks a lot.

Dear @Nicolò, thanks for reaching out. Not sure what the problem may be with the radio. You may check this link for  ore information: 

In the meantime, please make sure you have read and viewed all the materials linked to the drive's post, so that you may come to the drive prepared.

Thanks a lot.

25 minutes ago, Maytham Mahroos said:

Hey @Ale Vallecchi yes please! Both drives on Sunday for me 🙏

Hello @Maytham Mahroos. You have been added. Thanks a lot.

Dear @Maytham Mahroos and @Marek_was003, thanks for joining the Part 1 of this drive. 

Kindly confirm if, as posted, I should add you also the afternoon's Part 2, reserved for Fewbies and above. 

Thanks a lot.