No pain no gain III - 5th Feb 2021
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:59 am
Consulted with the pillow if to write or not to write a trip report, and if doing it what to say, "show must go on" and let's assume the drive finished a couple of dunes earlier. "glass half full" in this hobby/love that we all have but that carries some risks and moments.
I will not hide my happiness when I saw the trip being posted on the App, Rashid drive in "his backyard", my first drive following him and with all the good things I have heard from other fellow drivers I was so looking forward to it.
Meeting point at the end of the runway of Al Ain airport, by the way, probably the best airport in the world, empty and no flights so I guess that those who work there spend the day in the fantastic dunes that are around, applying for a job there shortly.
Rashid leading, Johanna 2nd lead, middle of the convoy for Rathica, Christiaan, Petr, Sorin and myself with Samer (that came to the drive with "the monster") closing. Scorpio and Optimus floating around and in charge of our safety.
Nice sized dunes, sharp edges and loads of sidecresting, love those conditions, and we went for it from the start, climb, crest/ride, cross, and go for it again from the other side, once done move to the next one. The drive had all the ingredients that I had been been told about, and with the convoy doing really well and facing very few issues (pop-outs, stucks, 2nd tries) the flow was beautiful allowing for some fantastic sequences of dunes.
I love riding crests and I can not remember a drive with so much of it, so plenty of opportunities to practice this skill, hit the crest too fast and you will not be able to hold the car on top, too slow and get stuck on your belly, Rashid is a master of this, moves on top of those crests at exactly the right pace, very beautiful to watch.
Personally very happy with the way driven, no pain no gain was for me no pop-outs, no stucks, not even a single 2nd try, loads of fun and so many crests ridden, contrary to me my air filter does not like these judging by the amount of sand ...
Time to say thank you, first to Scorpio and Optimus for looking after us and providing guidance when needed.
Final words for Rashid, thank you for the drive and sharing all of your knowledge, but most importantly for always being there for us when needed with the warmest smile possible. We all love you
See you on the sand soon.
I will not hide my happiness when I saw the trip being posted on the App, Rashid drive in "his backyard", my first drive following him and with all the good things I have heard from other fellow drivers I was so looking forward to it.
Meeting point at the end of the runway of Al Ain airport, by the way, probably the best airport in the world, empty and no flights so I guess that those who work there spend the day in the fantastic dunes that are around, applying for a job there shortly.
Rashid leading, Johanna 2nd lead, middle of the convoy for Rathica, Christiaan, Petr, Sorin and myself with Samer (that came to the drive with "the monster") closing. Scorpio and Optimus floating around and in charge of our safety.
Nice sized dunes, sharp edges and loads of sidecresting, love those conditions, and we went for it from the start, climb, crest/ride, cross, and go for it again from the other side, once done move to the next one. The drive had all the ingredients that I had been been told about, and with the convoy doing really well and facing very few issues (pop-outs, stucks, 2nd tries) the flow was beautiful allowing for some fantastic sequences of dunes.
I love riding crests and I can not remember a drive with so much of it, so plenty of opportunities to practice this skill, hit the crest too fast and you will not be able to hold the car on top, too slow and get stuck on your belly, Rashid is a master of this, moves on top of those crests at exactly the right pace, very beautiful to watch.
Personally very happy with the way driven, no pain no gain was for me no pop-outs, no stucks, not even a single 2nd try, loads of fun and so many crests ridden, contrary to me my air filter does not like these judging by the amount of sand ...
Time to say thank you, first to Scorpio and Optimus for looking after us and providing guidance when needed.
Final words for Rashid, thank you for the drive and sharing all of your knowledge, but most importantly for always being there for us when needed with the warmest smile possible. We all love you
See you on the sand soon.