Wrangeld

This was a long and challenging drive. So as I need something to cheer me up this morning, here are the hightlights of the briefing - which was probably the smothest part of the whole drive! We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat, in your overhead compartments or in your baggage net so that it cannot fall or shift in the unlikely event of turbulence during the drive. We also ask that your put your seats comfortably in the optimum position for driving. Please prepare all personal electronic devices, such as go pro, navigation tools or mobile phones so that you can focus on the drive to come. For those of you travelling with children, why? And for those of you travelling with a partner or two or more children – what in the world were you thinking of? Exiting your vehicle is prohibited for the duration of drive the unless specifically permitted by one of the seniors on duty. We are pleased to announce that Carnity has some of the most experienced Senior drivers in the UAE 4x4 community. Unfortunately, none of them were available today, so you will have to do with myself and Rahimdad. I will come back to you during the drive with more details about our drive route and eventual conditions at our destination. The forecast currently says that by the time we get there it will be 50C with broken clouds. We will do our best to fix the clouds before we get there, but no promises. In any event, thank you for choosing Carnity Off Road Club. We do appreciate you choosing Carnity. However, if you have any problems with this drive today and for whatever reason do not enjoy yourself, just remember, we are Jeepers. In the circumstances everyone did very well, and technical dunes should never ever be a challenge for anyone that went through the master class. See you soon in the sand

THIS DRIVE IS NOW CLOSED Good Morning Al Lisali Adventurers @Lorenzo Candelpergher @Jolly Abraham @Yousef Alimadadi @RohanH @Shiju Manuel @asifk @marks @Nizam Deen @Mehmet Volga @Janarthan (apologies to @Jorge Stepniak Felippe - no more drop outs) @Rahimdad By this time tomorrow morning we should be home and exited from the dunes having conquered (to some degree or other) the route from Al Lisali to Al Qudra. All things being equal what should you expect from the drive, and what do you need to be prepared to get you mentally in tune with the drive. Firstly, here is the drive convoy. Please make sure that you know where you are supposed to be in the convoy, who should be in front and who should be behind. Most of the colors of the vehicles are set out in the convoy list. We will confirm these on the day. We will be using Carnity Radio Channel 2. Please switch on your radios once you reach the deflation point so we can all speak to each other. The deflation point is on the tarmac road around the camel track. We will drive onto the sand track to get entry to the dunes from there. The pre drive briefing will be given once everyone is deflated and with flags erected. Be prepared for criss crossing, ridge riding and side sloping. Get your mind attuned to the fact you will be doing this before you start driving because when you start doing this sort of stuff it often requires a leap of faith in yourself and your vehicle. Just remember, if a car in front managed this, so can you. Having said that, no one needs to do anything that they do not feel safe in doing. This is not about showing how brave we are, it’s about learning how to get through the obstacles in the sand safely and if you don’t feel it, don’t do it. There is no shame in taking a lower or different route. There is no shame in getting stuck or a refusal. In fact, the opposite. This is why your radio is the most essential piece of equipment to have to hand at all times. This is how you tell us there is a problem, that you need more explanation, that you need to step out of your car. If you don’t tell, we cannot know. In this gave, silence is assumed to be agreement. Looking forward to seeing everyone bright and early tomorrow. Feel free, if you have any questions to post them here and we will do our best to answer. See you soon in the sand.

Ok. You were first in wait list. No problem. See you in the evening. @Mehmet Volga as JJ has pulled out and ChaitanyaD has declined you are next on the waitlist so i added you to the drive. Please confirm.

Ok @J J thanks for the update. Will open the spot up to wait list.

Hi Rohan, A broken compressor can happen to anyone. Knowing you do not have one does mean that we potentially lose the felxibility to exit at another point if something happens. However, as we planned to exit at Las Exit, on this occasion it will be OK if the compressor is not at ACE in time. If, however, anything happens to change that and we need to exit in another location, you will need to drive with deflated tires from where ever we exit and take the risk that that may be quite a long way from the nearest gas station. Please confirm, by adding the totally agree icon, that you are OK with this and understand the risk that we will exit somewhere other than Last Exit. Otherwise, I am afraid we will need to release the space on the drive to one of the drivers on the waitlist.

Good Evening Al Lisali Adventurers @Janarthan @Shiju Manuel @RohanH @asifk @Lorenzo Candelpergher @marks @Jolly Abraham @Nizam Deen @J J @Yousef Alimadadi (and the reserves, in case anyone drops out @Mehmet Volga and @Jorge Stepniak Felippe) The countdown continues and there are two more days until we venture into the sand again. As you are preparing for this adventure please take care during the following days to make sure of the following (yes, this is a bit of a moan, but I think you will all understand why: You have all the equipment you should have and it's in good working condition. When you were promoted to Fewbie the communication made very clear the equipment you need to have on board. Additionally, PLEASE, please - make sure you have a flag that will stay on/up/erect during the drive. There's little more frustrating for drivers than to hear "My flag has fallen down/off" and everyone needs to stop while you put it back in place; especially when there were no other reasons to stop. Engine fluids need to be checked every time before you go out. Sorry to say, but it's clear that some people have not been checking this out before leaving for the drive. I am sure I do not have to remind you, IT'S HOT. That means your car will get hot and all the fluids needed to make it run when it's super hot need to be checked. There's absolutely no problem stopping to let cars cool, but if it driven by your having forgotten to top up the oil or coolant, it's not fair on the other drivers. Be on time. We are all waking up at some godforsaken hour to make it to the drive on time. Punctuality has been brilliant recently, which has meant even when the meeting point was not easy to get to we started on time. It's not fair, however, to be the last to arrive and expect everyone to wait for you if they all get there early. And, obviously, the earlier we get moving the better for everyone. Do expect a little driving on a track before we get into the dunes. A pre warning so you are informed. There is a straight and rather long camel racing training track that runs inside the dunes close to Al Lisali. Because we cannot cross this, we will have to take a track under the electricity pylons for a few kilometers before we get into the dunes. It's important you know this so that you don't think that we went the wrong way or will be driving on tracks the whole drive. OK - enough for now. @Rahimdad and myself are looking forward to an excellent drive Friday. There will be an additional briefing note once the drive closes at 9am on Thursday morning where the convoy numbering, responsiblities, radio channel and a few more important details will be shared. Until then, enjoy the rest of your week. See you soon in the sand.

OK @Chaitanya D - will add you to the wait list for the Morning Fewbie (with pleasure) and hope for your sake that a spot comes up - not wishing for anyone that it means that they cannot drive.

Good Morning Al Lisali Adventurers @Janarthan @Shiju Manuel @RohanH @asifk @Lorenzo Candelpergher @marks @Jolly Abraham @Nizam Deen @J J @Yousef Alimadadi (and the reserves, in case anyone drops out @Mehmet Volga and @Jorge Stepniak Felippe) Thanks for signing up for the Friday morning drive from Al Lisali to Al Qudra. For most of you this will be quite new territory, so a few things to prepare for mentally in advance of the drive. There are tricky technical dunes we need to pass to get into the wide, flowing dunes that allow us to run from Al Lisali: We have a morning drive, so hopefully the sand will be a little less forgiving, but you will need to be on your game straight from the get go. Unlike many drives where we can ease in slowly to the more difficult dunes, we have the most challenging technical bit straight away. Technical dunes while not as much fun, are important to improve your drive skills. The better you can control your vehicle through the smaller dunes where angles are all important, the better - because this really helps you to understand where the front and back of your car (and the approach angles etc., ) are. Why? Because once you know this, you can understand if a different approach route makes more sense when you have a longer vehicle to avoid cresting or catching a bumper on the way in or out. Once through the technical stuff, the route takes us through some wonderful swooping wide dunes where we will be able to, hopefully, move at speed. Our newest Fewbies on the drive will find this a big difference from Newbie drives, those with a bit more experience and approaching Fewbie+ will enjoy the chance to really attack some of these dunes an start to undersrtand the potential of the vehicle. Come with a full tank of gas! The intention, time permitting is to cover a lot of ground - more than we normally cover when in Qudra or Sharjah. It would really be a shame if someone starts to have range anxiety. Look out for more updates during the week, and as ever, if there are quesitons, please feel free to ask. If anyone has to drop out for any reason, there are reserves waiting in the wings, eager to replace you. Convoy roles will be announced later in the week for 2nd Lead and Sweep. We will be joined by Carnity's own Superman @Rahimdad on the drive to keep us all in order. Have a great week. See you soon in the sand.

Noted. @Jorge Stepniak Felippe

Shall do @Mehmet Volga Noted. Please keep looking in.

Noted for both of you. Think there are still places in @Ale Vallecchi drive.

Funny you should ask @Shiju Manuelbecause I have Dunlop Grandtrek at the rear of the jeep. Side wall on the geo is stronger, yet more flexible in my view. Dunlop wears faster. Slightly more road noise. Good traction off both. Geo is at front and currently smaller size. I find they give good traction and less likelihood of popout. I have had two pop outs. The one on the front I could understand. On the back I felt the tire should have handled the weight and angle.

Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 The Yokohoma’s Geolandar line-up is the most reliable and adaptable all-terrain line-up of the tyre, and its newest addition is Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015. The G015 was manufacture to supplant the first AT-S that is at present a top-rated model in its very own right, the new G015 is made to up the overall performance in a few key zones. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 utilizes an intense Enduro all-season tread design that incorporates orange oil and one of a kind cutting edge polymers that are intended to convey expanded footing on rough terrain, as well as have a longer enduring treadwear. This model is intended to give you a more lovely driving experience than you may suspect. Triple 3-D sipes prompt expanded footing on wet or snowy roadways. Yokohama engineers made these sipes to change their shape as the tyre starts wearing out so as to keep on boosting footing and safety. This new model handles ice surprisingly better than the more seasoned AT-S. Actually, Yokohama expresses that snow braking and overall handling of the vehicle on the snow is improved over 25% in comparison to A/T-S. [Still waiting for opportunities to take advantage of this here in UAE!] Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S G012 The Geolandar A/T-S G012 is entirely developed for splendid off-road experience thus giving the amazing off-road ability to 4X4. This tyre is truly a competent rough terrain tyre for regular driving. The Geolandar A/T-S gives great off-road experience without prompting excessive noise or discomfort. Pros and cons Here are some of the key pros and cons of both of the tyres: Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 Amazing footing on both on and off-road Better performance in winter conditions Prompts well-mannered highway driving Longer enduring tread life Is not an ideal tyre for seriously muddy conditions Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S G012 Responsive Steering Amazing off-road traction & durability Longer lifespan of the tread Amazing comfort level Cornering while at high speed can be a bit soft So maybe the differences are very slight and I should just go for the A/T instead?

@Ale Vallecchi I have been facing the same dilemma as you about changing tires - not from HT to AT, but being unable to find the Geolandar A/T-S (G-012) anywhere in the market, because apparently this tire has been discontinued and is now the A-T (G015). I had concerns around the A/T because the tread seems more hard core, and I was worried about (even) more road noise while driving to and from the desert. I am also planning to move the front tires from 19" to 21" to balance up the car - even though I think that the stance at the moment looks quite good. I have bene offered all sorts of H/T tires as alternatives to the G012 and none of them has the characteristics that I think make for the type of tire I want off road = more floating, less digging. Also as I am upsizing, there will be a difference in the weight of the tires that might impact on momentum and agility (not to say anything about consumption which I am sure will also suffer once new tires are in place). Problem is that this is a big investment, which ever way we look at it and if it's wrong, it's not like you can take them back.

Delighted for you @Rinelle Sanaani for this well deserved promotion. Your driving gets better and better.

@marks congrats on the promotion.

Congrats @andy_macdxb delighted for you

Congrats @Najeeb Mohammed well deserved ... proved in spades on Friday. Look forward to seeing you soon on another drive.

Congrats @Febin Frederic you're going to need more than a shovel now!

😂 absolutely brilliant drive report @Jeepie and despite the challenges for me personally, a brilliant drive and lead. I promise to look after 'your' little car while you are away.

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 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 Offroader 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 - (No Newbies) When: 24 Jul 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 5:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Al Lisali Camel Track - https://goo.gl/maps/iwfK5DPGetYifxhA9 Action Plan: Morning drive till about 08:00 – 08:30 AM 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. Please also make sure you have all the equipment required on board as a Fewbie. THIS IS A COMPRESSOR ONLY DRIVE. 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. Approximate finish time: 08:00 – 08.30 AM End Point: Near Last Exit Al Qudra LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 12 cars maximum. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 1 Lead Marshal + 2 or 1 Senior Members + 10 Members. 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

Hahaha - watching this at speed ... now I know why I felt like I felt. @J J - brillaint film, really captured the drive well.

The One with Lots of Driving After a few weeks of getting to grips with the sand, it was refreshing to have some many kilometers covered during the drive yesterday. Most of the convoy arrived on time so we were deflated and ready to go ... and then had to wait for latecomers. That's a shame because what I am seeing is that most drivers arrive early these days so that we can leave punctually. Attention to detail is also key - the start point is where we start, not where we finish. After a short briefing (😉) we were under way. A great part of being part of the club is that drivers are encouraged, if they want to, take more and more responsiblity on the drives. So it was great to have @Chaitanya D step up to the plate in second lead and @Kalahari act as Centre Forward. It did not take too long for him to have to practice his new skill as our first real stuck of the day needed a tug. Once (un) @Lucky sAm was pulled clear we moved on. Getting stuck in some soft (soft) sand around Pink Rock also gave our last convoy member the chance to catch up. On the way again, we looked in vain for an area that was not churned up beyond recognition and while being asked to hold for a moment I got caught in a small pocket, which provided @Kalahari with lesson 2 of the day, as we needed to repair the pop out that resulted. After that it really was plain sailing. and credit to the whole convoy @Lucky sAm @Febin Frederic @Chaitanya D @Jolly Abraham @asifk @Najeeb Mohammed @Kalahari @Rinelle Sanaani for keeping going and handling the route with almost zero stops - until a short break to allow @asifk to cool the transmission of his Pajero. This was a great moment for a break as the sun was starting to fade and we could make our way over to Red Rock as it got dark. As the sun faded, so did our chances of finding playable dunes (it's a promise that next time we are in this area there will be more time in bowls and doing sideys) so we took the opportunity to do a little night driving. It is a whole different challenge as we found and with a challenging technicial stuck resolved we decided to exit and reinflate. In these conditions, with only 3 stucks that consumed time, we had the chance to drive in the sand for most of the time. It was good to see that some of the more difficult moments were handled well by everyone and where there were any issues, I have to thank @Srikumar and @Jeepie for keeping everything else that @Kalahari had not already managed. Big call out as well to @Chaitanya D. Excellent 2nd lead. Have a great week. Thank you for Flying with Club Carnity 4 x 4 😁 See you soon in the sand.