JeromeFJ

Dear Desert Drivers, 

@Mohit Gurnani @Shaun J @Stan @Mahmut @Julien Recan @msa @Mark B @Rk ram @Deepak Eswar @Cristian @Ishak @Zulfikhar Naiyar

Last update for tomorrow

Meeting at 6:30 am at https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJFZW3efvbMw73629

The convoy order will be 

We will use Carnity Radio Channel 5.

Enjoy the evening, take a good rest and, and see you tomorrow morning!

Noted @Frans M, see you next time

@Zulfikhar Naiyar, I have added you

2 hours ago, Robk said:

@JeromeFJ Hi Jerome, unfortunately I can no longer make the drive. Dropping out now. Be safe everyone and enjoy!.

Sorry to miss you, see you next time. Thank you for advising early.

Good morning all

Getting prepared for tomorrow's drive

@Mohit Gurnani @Shaun J @Stan @Julien Recan @msa @Robk @Rk ram @Deepak Eswar @Frans M @Cristian @Ishak @Mark B

You are confirmed. Please let me know in case you changed your plans. As we have still 2 wait list members a no show would be very disappointing. 

@Zulfikhar Naiyar @Mahmut, you are still on the wait list for now, let's see during the day how it goes.

The itinerary for tomorrow may be a bit long (80 to 85 km), be sure your car is ready, and refuel not too far from the meeting point to avoid stress at the end of the drive. (the next petrol station is about 20 km after the exit point).

I will issue final attendance and convoy order by the end of the afternoon

DRIVE DESCRIPTION

From  the outskirts of Sweihan on the E16, drive West along the dune cordons, pass the Tilal area, cross the sabkha to the South, and continue West on the high dunes, try to find the Sweihan Pond, continue on the white sands of Fayah and exit on the E75 side.

We request every member that joins this drive to go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette and responsibilities.

MUST READ AND COMPLY

• Environmental Policy
• Offroad Flag Guideline
• Two Way Radio Guideline
• Off road Driving Etiquettes
• Emergency details for all off roaders
• Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities
   

DRIVE DETAILS

Level:  Fewbie Plus and above
When: 04 May 2024, Saturday
Meeting time:  6:30 AM - Sharp
Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJFZW3efvbMw73629
Approximate finish time: 10:30 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), smiles, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

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 Desert Drivers, 

Thank you you joining the drive today. As expected, the desert was still showing the effect of the rains of last week. Starting with the meeting point, still totally flooded. Once everyone reached, we drove on the tarmac a few km and entered a bit further.  The sand was generally still very compact,  offering a good grip beneficial for the high climbs. The crossings were also generally facilitated, but the edges were sharper than usual, requiring a perfect accuracy for the driving line. A few other traps in the form of steeper pockets than usual, salt crust remaining from evaporated water ponds in the flat areas, water or sludge on the flat sabkhas.

All this did not prevent us to enjoy fully the area. We had our share of high climbs, steep descents, ridge riding and crossing and beautiful desert views. The first portion with bigger dunes, more thrills and sensations,  the second portion more technical with totally virgin dunes.

Very well driven all of you. @Shaun J, @Aser excellent focus and control for your first FB+, @Julien Recan @Deepak Eswar you had one crossing a bit hazardous, but well done for the rest, @Luke K P @msa @Robk @Frans M, excellent control in both portions. Special thanks to @Luke K P as Second Lead, and @Deepak Eswar for the Sweep, both of you very reliable today.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and see you soon!

Good morning all, 

@Luke K P @Shaun J @Aser @Julien Recan @msa @Robk @Gautam Banka @Frans M @Cristian @Deepak Eswar @Amr A

In preparation for tomorrow's drive, please ensure your car is ready and anything loose or unnecessary is removed from the backseat and trunk area. All your offroad gear shall be securely strapped.

We will see how is the desert after the rains of last week. There might be water remaining at the starting point. Please assess to avoid getting stuck in the mud. If there is too much water, just wait before crossing, and we will enter from a different place.

The convoy order will be 

We will use Channel 5.

Please let me know during the day in case you changed your plan.

See you all tomorrow !

We request every member that joins this drive to go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette and responsibilities.

MUST READ AND COMPLY

• Environmental Policy
• Offroad Flag Guideline
• Two Way Radio Guideline
• Off road Driving Etiquettes
• Emergency details for all off roaders
• Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities
   

DRIVE DETAILS

Level:  Fewbie Plus and above
When: 27 April 2024, Saturday
Meeting time:  6:30 AM - Sharp
Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTX8wtibrfhsXS6D6
Approximate finish time: 10:30 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), smiles, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

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

Thank you for joining the drive today. This area proved one more time to be amazing, offering big unspoiled dunes and beautiful desert views. The first portion starts progressively, with clean open dunes and some crossings and ridge riding, just to get in the mood. Then the dunes become higher, unveiling amazing views of the desert and sabkha around. Unfortunately @Mohammad Sayawoush Azad had to exit before reaching the highest point of the drive. (I hope the boys are ok). 

Driving in this area may look smooth and flowing, but considering the steep faces, the dimensions of some of the bowls or climbs, and the presence of deep sand pockets, it requires very accurate driving, and a perfect dosing of speed and momentum. Everyone managed well, but each of us could also immediately see the effect of not enough momentum, of too much energy coming out of a big curve.

The second part was more relaxed, with lower dunes, but still the high pace required accurate control and anticipation to maintain the balance of the car and ensure a smooth ride. We finished with a little gem, a totally unspoiled area, technical, then long open dunes, and technical again, before reaching the sabkha and the exit track.

@Mohit Gurnani, @Julien Recan @Amr A, thank you for joining, driving well, helping shoveling my car out,  and sharing friendly chat during the breaks. Enjoy the rest of the weekend !

Dear Desert Drivers, 

@Mohit Gurnani @Julien Recan @Mohammad Sayawoush Azad @Cristian @Gautam Banka @Amr A

Last updates for the drive tomorrow morning

Meeting at 6:30 am at  https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTX8wtibrfhsXS6D6

The convoy order will be

We will use Carnity Radio Channel 5.

Take a good rest and see you tomorrow morning !

19 minutes ago, Batuhan Kulac said:

Sry Lads, Car's still in the workshop. Will remove rsvp. Enjoy and have fun!

Noted @Batuhan Kulac, thank you for informing early. See you next time!

Congratulations @ozgu, keep enjoying !

We request every member that joins this drive to go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette and responsibilities.

MUST READ AND COMPLY

• Environmental Policy
• Offroad Flag Guideline
• Two Way Radio Guideline
• Off road Driving Etiquettes
• Emergency details for all off roaders
• Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities
   

DRIVE DETAILS

Level:  Fewbie Plus and above
When: 30 March 2024, Saturday
Meeting time:  6:30 AM - Sharp
Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTX8wtibrfhsXS6D6
Approximate finish time: 10:30 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), smiles, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

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

@RiadJL @EbrahimZAF @Ahmed Farouk @Nicolò @Ishak @Wilfredo Perez @Gaurav

Thank you for joining yesterday evening.

We had a beautiful desert time enjoying the warm breeze at Iftar time, watching the moon playing with the clouds and kids playing in the dunes, and the short drive afterwards was a great way to continue the night.

Perfect way to close the weekend!

Great Video @Mohammad Sayawoush Azad ! Packed with action, as the drive itself !

Thank you

@RiadJL @EbrahimZAF @Ahmed Farouk @Nicolò @Ishak @Wilfredo Perez @Gaurav

Thank you for signing up for the Garangao Iftar and Drive.

We will set the convoy order at the meeting point.

We will use Carnity Radio Channel 4.

The event is still open and late joiners are welcomed. Just read the posts above and let me know.

See you later this evening !

A few tips for tomorrow evening:

The meeting point is on Abu Dhabi side. The last portion of road between Faqa and the meeting point (Al Faqa Rd E14) is in AD, and the 100 km/h limit …. means 100 km/h. 
Reaching the meeting point, you will see a gate. Reach slowly by the gate, and it will open by itself.

After this gate, for the last 200m, if you see camels around, drive very slowly.

I will leave the meeting point no later than 5:40 pm to ensure we can reach the Iftar point and get ready with no rush. If you reach after this time give, call me at 05 88 62 09 42, I will come and get you.

see you all tomorrow !

Thank you for joining the drive this morning. We had perfect weather conditions, cloud cover, light breeze, and a little bit of rain.  The start was not easy, as from this starting point we are directly into soft sand, big climbs and tight bowls. After a few refusals for most of us (including me), we passed that initial portion to continue in a long technical strech, were we practiced continuous momentum, balance the car on ridges, and soft sand riding. 

Then a set of higher dunes where we could push our cars a bit more, ...and feel the effect of too much power when the cars are dragged to the outside of the curve, and may be difficult to stabilize. Again, the practice of climbing into a succession of bowls was a good opportunity to get that feeling of the amount of power required to cross a high ridge... and keeping the car straight on that ridge.

Coming to Super Bowl, and the high dune just behind, we had that moment where everything is coming together, and we had a perfect set of high roller coaster, up and down, bowl after bowl, ridge after ridge, the convoy perfectly in sync with each other, with fluid lines in this difficult environment, until we reached Iftar Bowl, and from there quietly reaching the exit at Badayer.

Great driving from everyone, and a great learning curve during the drive itself, you managed to handle that soft sand and challenging environment, being focused and accurate. Things to look at : @frederic demolder @Deepak Eswar having at least one occurrence of fishtailing  during a crossing that could have been dangerous, (come higher to merge parallel to the ridge) @Mohammad Sayawoush Azad, @Rk ram @Gautam Banka sometimes loosing balance on the ridge (adjust the power), @Julien Recan @Frans M @Deepak Eswar some fishtailing on side slope that should be corrected earlier (steer down).

Thank you @Patrick van der Loo for the SL adjusting the line when needed, @Beide Worku and @Islam Soliman thank you for watching the back, and guiding other cars out of refusals.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and see you soon !

2 hours ago, Rk ram said:

Hi @JeromeFJ

I was in the list but I see it is no more there 

probably while checking for radio I might have mistakenly removed myself

if possible plz consider me joining in 

regards

rkram

Yes, you removed yourself. I will include you back in

Dear Desert Drivers,

Below the convoy list for tomorrow

We will use Carnity Radio Channel 6.

Have a good rest and see you tomorrow morning !

@george charbel, I've added you to the drive

3 hours ago, Gurcharan Mehta said:

@JeromeFJ Thank you for your kind consideration, i appreciate it. However, I chose to confirm another drive at 8am on the same day; hence, I won't be able to join you and can be excluded from the waitlist. Thank you for reconfirming, and I hope it has not caused any inconvenience.

Copy that @Gurcharan Mehta, I will remove your name from my drive. Thank you

@Gurcharan Mehta, I have added you to the drive. Please confirm you are still interested and available.  Thank you

A bit of timing information for Sunday evening. We have a perfect configuration with

• Sunset 6:31 pm
• Moonrise 5:54 pm - Moon Illumination 99.8%

I know the weather forecast is not that good, but let's hope for a clear sky for the beginning of the evening ! If so we will be able to watch the moon rising over the horizon and remaining illuminated as the sun disappears and the sky becomes darker. All this happening during our Iftar !

Dear Desert Drivers

@Patrick van der Loo @frederic demolder @Mohammad Sayawoush Azad @Julien Recan @Frans M @Rk ram @Deepak Eswar @Gautam Banka @Gurcharan Mehta @Mohit Gurnani @Beide Worku

Thank you for signing up for the drive Saturday morning. 

In preparation for the drive, please ensure that your car is in perfect condition. Please remove any loose or unnecessary item from the back seat and trunk. Make sure your off-road gear is securely strapped at the back.

I will indicate the convoy order and last updates by the end of the afternoon tomorrow. Please let me know before that in case you changed your plans, thank you.

Congratulations @Hugo !