Stars Track VIII - Autumn Stars Edition - 9th October 2020
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:15 pm
Drive: Stars Track VIII - Autumn Stars Edition drive to Al Qudra - 9th October 2020.
Highlights:
-no 2nd attempts or rescues
-1 x popout
-thou shalt perform a tool check before any drive (batteries!)
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First of all, thank you to all the marshals @Booy @Abu Jimmy @alshamsi_m @Rashidjass for their support throughout the drive, with a special thank you going to @Barish for organizing what turned out to be be a very challenging drive.
This time, we gathered at the deflation point just off Dubai-Al Ain road at 2.30pm. First challenge of the day and a good lesson learnt was.. always check your tools before the trip. The batteries in my electronic TJM deflator had gone flat. @Abu Jimmy lent me his, but funnily that didn't work either, so @Booy helped me with a more traditional way i.e. valve core removal tool + pressure gauge.
@Barish started the event on a high, with some pretty critical reminders, main one as always being "listen to the marshals!". The convoy count stopped at 13 cars, with my car positioned at he back (number 10). Booy & Abu Jimmy were floating, while Rashid was sweeping.
The first part of the trail was relatively smooth, before we reached a slightly more "technical" terrain and some cars started getting stuck. I really liked that everyone who got stuck had a chance to use their own recovery equipment with @Booy taking most of the rescues. Being in the sand all day, one should admire his calm & patient approach throughout the drive.
The second part of the trail graced us with even more recoveries and 2nd attempts. Waiting for other members of the convoy getting rescued is a good exercise itself - it teaches you patience and humility and that the nature always wins. Towards the end of the track, just as we were about to head back, I felt something isn't right with my front right tire, so I went out to check it out - knowing that there is only one possible outcome i.e. popout. @Viktoriia seemed to have got one in exactly the same spot a few seconds later. This was a particularly good experience as I knew what a popout is in theory, but now had a chance to see how to deal with it in real life. The entire convoy gathered around to watch how the marshals can effortlessly bring the tire back up to 8psi.
As the sun was setting, we returned to the road (D63) to inflate the tires and finish our adventure. Before that, @Barish had invited us for a nice cup of coffee & chat.
Great day / evening and I can't wait to see another newbie drive in the Trip View soon!
Slydubai, Black Wrangler TJ