Wrangeld

Solar Park, Soft Sand and So Much Vegetation This morning could have started better, as I had managed to confuse Ms. Google a little with the start point. Well done everyone, because in spite of this, we were under way by around 5.15am. It had been a while since I had driven Solar Park and I was surprised by the amount of vegetation. Cloud seeding is all well and good ... but it seems they forget that cloud seeding begets plant seeding and the whole terrain is far greener than we would like. With @AKR as second lead we headed cross couuyerntry to the technical dunes that we needed to cross to get onto the wider, higher dunes. @Gaurav deserves a medal for rescuing just about everyone in the convoy, including me at one point or another. @Mehmet Volga you did great after that first crest, I just wish we had known that would be the start of a series of problems for @Chaitanya D, and eventually even @Brette. Once moving again and with a few more refusals, we got going until a pop out for @Lorenzo Candelpergher needed attention. I really commend everyone for the patience of the first hour of the drive where we covered around 1.5 km and we were waiting around for multiple recoveries. And then, the dunes opened out a little and we were able to start moving through, up and down, side sloping where safe and possible and enjoying some uninterrupted cruising through the desert. Amazingly, it was the Pajero club that started overheating so we stoped to take a look at cars from @Anish S @RohanH and @Mehmet Volga to get them cooled down enough to continue. By that stage it was time to turn back in the direction of the amazing architecture of the beautiful Solar Park headquarters 😉 to find an exit. The stand out moment (as we will ignore the stucks as we navigated back) was that @Rajeevan Vickneswaran found his lost rear number plate [chocolates should be delivered 😂 to you know who. Clue @Veedooshee] in the desert after it fell off. For @Magellan and @siddharth maheshwari at the back of this convoy, you did a great job navigating heavily churned up sand. The technical dunes were less tricky on the way out, but still had their claws into us, even though we could not only smell, but see the flat ground. However, we all made it out deflated and made our way home. Big thanks to @Jeepiefor your calm input throughout the drive (and your redirects ...) and helping out as ever with the recoveries. As a learning leader, it was a great experience and I thank everyone for their support and patience. See you soon in the sand.

@Srikumar you were there on our very first drive and have been a constant source of inspiration and guidance since. It was you who told me to drive higher on the dunes to find that place where the momentum carries you, it was you who told me to use less power and better lines, it was you who totally understood that being in the sand was as much about clearing my head as having fun. You are so incredibly generous with your advice, your support, your friendship and this promotion is so deserved because you embody the DNA of this club. Thank you for everything you bring to this club that makes it such a special place to belong.

OK Angela. Noted. That's a shame, but we all have car issues from time to time.

@RohanHIf you find any geolondar A-T/S, please let me know. Have only been able to find the A-T in the market recently. Can vouch that it is a great type, but difficult to get hold of (in the size I need).

My mistake - you did, indeed sign up early. Revised.

@Lorenzo Candelpergher, @Magellan, @Chaitanya D, @AKR, @Foxtrot Oscar, @siddharth maheshwari, @Brette MUST READ BEFORE THE DRIVE It has been brought to my attention that you did not yet confirm with Totally Agree to the post below. Please make sure you have agreed to this before tomorrow morning. No icon in the right place, no drive (and an early start, all for nothing!)

@AKR, @Mehmet Volga, @Rajeevan Vickneswaran, @Jorge Stepniak Felippe, @Gaurav, @siddharth maheshwari, @Lorenzo Candelpergher, @Anish S, @Chaitanya D, @Magellan, @Brette, @Foxtrot Oscar, @RohanH Thanks for signing up for the Solar Park Fewbie drive tomorrow morning (at 5am). THIS DRIVE IS NOW CLOSED It's a lovely Thursday morning in Dubai/Sharjah and by this time tomorrow morning, we hope to be out of the desert having made the most of the Solar Park dunes, and enjoyed a Fewbie drive that should be a fun and challenging drive. The drive tomorrow is planned to take us through some technical dunes (more challenging for the longer wheel base vehicles), some excellent long wide dunes so we can practice driving across the dunes and some nice play areas. We will try to pay attention to some less practiced skills in the Newbie drives such as sideys across the dunes and some climbing. There should be plenty of time for 'play', depending on the number of stucks and how busy the dunes are at that time of the morning. Below is the convoy list, so you know where you are in the convoy and are expected to be. Radio Channel will be Carnity Channel 2 for this drive. If for some reason you did not yet program your radio, DO IT NOW. There is an excellent guide on how to do this written by @Frederic. There will be no time for nor anyone avaialble to reprogram your radio tomorrow morning. If you are really in trouble with the radio then ping a message here and we will try to help you through the prcess. Arriving tomorrow morning with a problem radio means you will not be driving. So they can prepare themselves mentally. 2nd lead - @AKR, Centre Forward @Gaurav and @Foxtrot Oscar will sweep. Sand conditions: The sand is soft and will suck you in, especially where we are headed ... but more on that tomorrow in the drive brief. Advice is to deflate to 12psi. @Lorenzo Candelpergher - I know you prefer to leave the pressure higher, but there are 4 cars behind you in the convoy and they need to get through the track as well, so please take the pressure a little lower to accommodate this. Please deflate and get your flag erected as soon as you arrive so we can get moving ASAP. The meeting point is on tarmac. We will drive into the dunes along a track so deflation on the flat will be best. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning. Should anything unexpected happen and you are unable to attend, please let us know. Otherwise, by no later than 5.10 we will be leaving without you.

Indeed, Siddarth - not forgotten. End of today is the close out for RSVP and then we will know the final tally.

Hi Janarthan. Thanks for the update. Have fun.

@AKR @Rajeevan Vickneswaran @RohanH @Janarthan @Anish S @Mehmet Volga @Lorenzo Candelpergher @Jorge Stepniak Felippe @Foxtrot Oscar @Chaitanya D @Magellan(@Brette) Briefing #2 - SOLAR PARK The move, change in pace and different types of obstacles faced when moving from Newbie to Fewbie is sometimes under estimated. At Newbie you learn the basics of how to get over a dune safely, how to behave in the sand and the start of how to control your vehicle. At Fewbie, the expectation is that mind and vehicle will be stretched - challenging you as a driver into situations you might not have been before, situations where you feel more uncomfortable and helping you understand the characteristics and potential of your vehicle. To put it more succinctly: fewbie is not about using more power, it's about using the power you have more effectively. Solar Park includes some technical dunes: Small dunes, closely packed where you need to take care not only to avoid getting stuck but also avoid the hard sharp bumps in them - and longer range dunes, which provide plenty of opportunities for sideys. As well as sideys, the hope is that we can start to learn the techniques for and get some practice with ridge riding and criss-crossing. For many Fewbies this is quite scary. To make the day more fun for everyone, here's a few thoughts on what you can do to make your time in the sand more fun: IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST OR SECOND FEWBIE DRIVE- You'll need all your wits about you and need to concentrate. Think carefully if this really is the ride on which you want to bring the whole family. We want to give everyone the chance to drive as much as possible and good focus usually means less potential for refusals, stucks, and other incidents. IF YOU ARE A MORE EXPERIENCED FEWBIE - These drives are a chance to hone your skills, control your entry and exit points better, make sure you use enouch, and not too much power. DON'T FORGET YOUR EQUIPMENT - Please see my previous post COMMUNICATION - The rules are clear, bring a fully charged, audible device with you. If your radio is not working, you are not driving. The second rule is slightly less clear. Use the radio. It is the only way you can tell a lead that there is a problem: whether that is a refusal a stuck or 'can you please help me get through this obstacle. Do not be afraid or ashamed to inform the convoy leader that you need some assistance. Seniors are on the drive to assist. If we hear nothing, we assume everything is OK. Why bring these up? The sand is incredibly soft in the summer. Recoveries are part of the game, we all know that, but we all also know that we really want to be moving more of the time than recovering. These little points should help us all keep moving. See you soon in the sand.

@AKR @Rajeevan Vickneswaran @RohanH @Janarthan @Anish S @Mehmet Volga @Lorenzo Candelpergher @Jorge Stepniak Felippe @Foxtrot Oscar @Chaitanya D @Magellan(@Brette) Great that you all signed up to the Fewbie drive on Friday. The plan for the drive is to assemble at Solar Park Car Park and make our way into the dunes to the South of Solar Park and then if time allows explore a little in the direction of Al Lisali. I will post more details later in the week on the plan and what type of drive I hope it to be - today's message is all about safety. Last weekend there was a lucky escape from serious injury when a tow point on a vehicle being tugged came loose and flew into the vehicle that was tugging. It reminded us again how important it is that everyone MUST check the integrity of their tow points, because, frankly, we may not be so lucky next time. We will be cjecking tow points before the drive on Friday, as well as checking that all drivers are carrying with them all the compulsory "Fewbie' equipment [if you really need to look at this again, check out the message from @Gaurav when you were promoted]. Drivers that do not have tow points or this basic kit on board will not be allowed to drive. For the avoidance of doubt, a flag and pole means there must be a flag on the pole, a shovel is a shovel. Secondly, dress code. If you are sitting in the comfort of your air conditioned vehicle, flip flops and shorts might seem OK to you. They are a lot less practical when you are standing or kneeling in the burning sand. You'll also be asked not to drive if you are not wearing the right clothes. Otherwise, I am looking forward to a drive that will excite, challenge and energise. See you soon in the sand

OK Tbone - noted, but I think that with your new status, the likelihood is that you would be offered some more responsibility on the Newbie drive Friday: and ... if you look at who is signed up it's pretty much all Fewbies!. Will keep you and J.J. updated and note that Pink Rock is plan B. Let's see if enyone needs to drop out.

@Denizzalbayrak @J J @Tbone looks like you are all signed up for the drive with @Srikumar so I will remove you from the waiting list for this drive (as you cannot drive in two places at the same time). As we juust removed everyone else in the waiting list ahead of you as they have a drive on Friday, @siddharth maheshwari you are now #1 on the waiting list.

Looks to me like you are in. Bring your shovel. You are #1 buddy @Denizzalbayrak you are #2 @J J you are #3

Gefeliciteerd Remco.

Hi @Tbone I am delighted for you and to be able to share my congratulations on this new rank. Lots more fun to look forward to now. Digging, ropes, helping people out of trouble. See you soon in the sand.

Hey @Kalahari this was pretty much inevitable in my view. You really know your sand. Looking forward to more drives with you in the future.

Comletely agree with you @Kalahari and I was going to give you a shout out. Considering how churned up everything was at the end of the convoy it's testament to the team work of the three of you @Rinelle Sanaani and @Tbone and how you were relly looking out for each other that there was only one moment when you needed a little bit of help. And, invaluable, both digging pushing and pulling from you guys - if you had not done that, we might still be there today! Hoping that soon we will be putting you closer to the front to have you second lead or support on the recoveries.

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 and above - (No Newbie Allowed) When: 10 Jul 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 5:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Solar Park Pylon - https://goo.gl/maps/N6DVvggsNYBP9FuS6 (24°46'23.2"N 55°21'15.8"E) Action Plan: Morning drive till about 08:30 – 09:00 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. WE WILL STRATING 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 COPRESSOR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO JOIN THE DRIVE. Approximate finish time: 08:30 – 09.00 AM End Point: Solar Park Pylon - https://goo.gl/maps/N6DVvggsNYBP9FuS6 (24°46'23.2"N 55°21'15.8"E) 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 THE CALENDAR

Night Drives Might Give you Nightmares So this is put up front and clear, @Jeepie, who led the majority of the drive (in daylight yesterday) did a great job. It was challenging, careful, playful and everyone was doing incredibly well in the conditions. Remember, this was the return match of Carnity and Iftar Bowl that had (well, it’s too harsh to say it had been ‘lost’ the week before) been a challenge. Starting from close to the bowl and not the treacherous sands of Badayer the drive was smooth @Foxtrot Oscar commanding in second lead and @Emmanuel sweeping. With @Vanessa8580 shoring up the middle of the drive it was all going swimmingly well – and that’s from the perspective of the passenger of the car for the whole of the drive during the daytime drive. Apart from a few stucks and recoveries there we no major mishaps and I give credit to @Jeepie for the cool head and decision making that kept everything moving, allowed for playtime and avoided the lunatics crossing our path and track with not a thought for safety. The sand was soft, and that’s not an easy place in which to lead at the best of times. This drive description did promise a Night Drive element. Indeed, when the ‘night’ element was announced it was planned as an ‘easy’ exit to let everyone get the feel for night driving. Exiting at close to 10.30pm was not the plan. So here’s the thing, there’s a very fine line between Exciting and Exiting. Perhaps the sand had misheard ‘Now we need to Exit’ and thought they heard, ‘Now we need to Excite?’ For some of us, the challenge in any drive is not just getting the vehicle from A - B. Most of the time that is quite simple. I love solving puzzles and there’s a degree of satisfaction that comes from looking at a situation, assessing and solving the puzzle that I really enjoy. Last night put that theory to the test, and while I arrived home with more sand in my shoes than ever, and every part of me was covered in sand, sweat and muscles ached from digging (and yes, we did dig a bit yesterday), it was a great drive. @Jeepie had given us the first course, the night gave us the second … and the TV last night was lousy, so why would I want to get back home any earlier! Having said that. I am not in charge of this club, but here’s my plea which I hope will be hear by those who are. If think it’s OK to turn up to a drive without the simplest most basic equipment (and it’s clearly stated what you need to have with you when you get promoted to be a Fewbie) I don’t. And you should not be allowed on a drive if you turn up unprepared. Poor tow points can seriously damage. We were incredibly lucky yesterday that the tow point that sheared during the drive did nothing more (!) than cosmetic damage. If your tow points don’t work then you’ll need to shovel: WHICH MEANS YOU NEED TO HAVE A SHOVEL IN YOUR CAR. Everyone else, congratulations for making it a memorable drive and the people who helped so much during the evening. Thanks. I t could not have been done without you. See you soon in the sand.

Almost a year ago to the day, I arrived in the UAE. It was part of my plan to be driving 4x4 as one of the benefits of moving from the serene, calm surroundings of the Netherlands, where news starts with headlines like "Today the level of the River Maas Rose by 2mm". A group of close friends gave me and @Jeepie the gift of a dune bashing session as our going away/wedding present. We invested the money in our little TJ (along with a whole load more) and have not looked back since. Waking at 'oh my lord o'clock this morning', as Carnity drives are starting earlier to avoid some of the summer heat, sort of made sense. More so, once we found ourselves in the dark at the entry point to Mahafiz with our intrepid companions all looking for early morning thrills. Deflating in the dark holds new pleasures even for experienced drivers (as I found out when I could not locate the valve to reinsert the stem) so we had an early inflation as well, but were soon underway with @Frederic in the lead. I think that around this area, we might rename the drive from Desert to Jungle drive. The amount of greenery is incredible. It makes for a bumpy drive and a challenge to find a smooth route. The convoy, however kept great pace and discipline until @George Francis wavered approaching a crest and got stuck. We considered digging, but a quick tug made more sense and we were off ag ain to find a few play dunes. Watching the drive along the way it was great to se how both Newbies and Fewbies on the drive are developing their skills. @Jorge Stepniak Felippe did very well as second lead, @Rajeevan Vickneswaran has excellent control of the Wrangler and @Mehmet Volga and @Yousef Alimadadi both are getting to grips with what having all that power means in their Pajeros. @marks and @Leo Francis probably need just a little more time with their vehicles to get to grips with its capabilities. As @Frederic mentioned, we cleared the route towards Fosil Rock in good time that a decisiiin to continue to Faya was inevitable. Seeing the other Carnity convoys along the way of @Ale Vallecchi and @Javier M is an incredible reminder of what this club stands for and why the early starts make sense. Seeing that members grow to leaders and teachers is the essential DNA of Carnity. Everyone out there today has the opportunity if they want to be more involved. Everyone has the same chances. It's not often that can be said about a club with established members and structures. Driving on past our club members, we made it to Faya and most made it to the top. Those who did not can take the learning for the next time out, when inevitably you will. Today, taking the conditions and route into consideration was at Newbie+ level and everyone did themselves proud. Myself and @Jeepie enjoyed the limited sweeping needed and another beautiful morning out in the desert. Here's to more morning and evening adventures and celebrating a year of membership in Carnity in the Winter. And ... in case you are wondering, yesterday's news in the Netherlands "Man Bites Dog" See you soon in the sand.

@syed salman raza No such thing as 'only' a Newbie. If you want to invest, then please feel free, but there is no requirement to have running lights. Drive lead must have lights so they can see. Keep up the driving and in no time that will be you too.

Hi Syed, Unless you are the lead on a drive or one of the Seniors you should not need special lights for the night drives. There is already a thread on night driving lights on Carnity, so if you want to buy there are some good tips there. As I drive a 2004 TJ the solution that I mentioned might be suitable for you.

@Ale Vallecchi amazing ... at this rate you'll be a marshall within another 2 weeks 😂😂 Great news and i am delighted for you that you have been given this additional promotion. Looking very much forward to supporting you on a drive some time soon.