UAE West to East - Umm Al Oush (Madinat Zayed to Arada)
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 9:53 am
Got to campsite around 9, very good ambience around the fire, decided to go to sleep when I saw that only the hardcore ones were left (Mabubaker, Nidal, Ehab ...) as I knew they would be there for a while ...
A "classic" for Almost, Madinat Zayed to Arada including a little segment after the E15 underpass. Always gorgeous landscape, dune after dune with amazing walls always in sight.
Very very long convoy lead by Shamsi with Tom as 2nd lead, area well known for the drop-climbs combinations and some patches of very soft sand, some issues were clearly expected, I was positioned as sweeper so I knew it was turn to "learn how to survive", very chewed up tracks everywhere so extra attention was required for continuous small track modifications while still avoiding to end up in a ditch in the process.
Leading car was good with us the intermediates allowing us to play some walls, much appreciated as for me personally I was very keen on trying the FJ in those, quickly discovered where 1st would cut off and after the first couple of walls quick changes made to the way to approach these dunes, you need to keep a closer eye on the rpm than with the jeep, after a while you know where to keep the car and goes nicely.
Added bonus to practice 4L, really impressed with it must admit, very enjoyable and useful, looking forward to putting it to practice more often.
Giorgio and Mabubaker worked extremely hard to keep the convoy moving and under control, amazing job, up and down all of the time giving instructions and assisting as and when needed.
A few interesting rescues that I also enjoyed and provided very good practice, one in a very soft patch where countless viking ropes and 2 cars were needed and a pop-out situation that required anchoring the car with 2 cars from the upper side.
Darkness found us with still a good portion of the track to be completed, loved it, I really like driving at night so this was an added bonus, we even had the convoy splitting and getting lost by the farms that took us back into the dunes where the now famous "lets go in a straight line!!!" happened (We love you Marco).
If allowed my view on points to improve:
- Lets be on time, I know "s..t happens" but out of respect for fellow drivers lets all aim for punctuality.
- Radio communication, please listen to Marshall's instructions, if not clear ask for them to repeat.
- If stuck, breath in before you floor it, you might be making matters worst, wait for Marshall's instructions and if not clear ask for them to clarify, no harm in coming out of the car to inspect where and how you got stuck, sometimes that gives a good view of what you need to do.
- A drive like this one is designed to test endurance amongst other driving skills, always the most dangerous times are after lunch (yes, the Spanish siesta) and towards the end of the drive when we are all tired, extra concentration and attention required at these times.
Finally, as always, thank you Shamsi for another amazing lead, Mabubaker and Giorgio, as said before extremely impressive work, and of course to everyone else that attended and made the drive possible.
See you on the sand soon.
A "classic" for Almost, Madinat Zayed to Arada including a little segment after the E15 underpass. Always gorgeous landscape, dune after dune with amazing walls always in sight.
Very very long convoy lead by Shamsi with Tom as 2nd lead, area well known for the drop-climbs combinations and some patches of very soft sand, some issues were clearly expected, I was positioned as sweeper so I knew it was turn to "learn how to survive", very chewed up tracks everywhere so extra attention was required for continuous small track modifications while still avoiding to end up in a ditch in the process.
Leading car was good with us the intermediates allowing us to play some walls, much appreciated as for me personally I was very keen on trying the FJ in those, quickly discovered where 1st would cut off and after the first couple of walls quick changes made to the way to approach these dunes, you need to keep a closer eye on the rpm than with the jeep, after a while you know where to keep the car and goes nicely.
Added bonus to practice 4L, really impressed with it must admit, very enjoyable and useful, looking forward to putting it to practice more often.
Giorgio and Mabubaker worked extremely hard to keep the convoy moving and under control, amazing job, up and down all of the time giving instructions and assisting as and when needed.
A few interesting rescues that I also enjoyed and provided very good practice, one in a very soft patch where countless viking ropes and 2 cars were needed and a pop-out situation that required anchoring the car with 2 cars from the upper side.
Darkness found us with still a good portion of the track to be completed, loved it, I really like driving at night so this was an added bonus, we even had the convoy splitting and getting lost by the farms that took us back into the dunes where the now famous "lets go in a straight line!!!" happened (We love you Marco).
If allowed my view on points to improve:
- Lets be on time, I know "s..t happens" but out of respect for fellow drivers lets all aim for punctuality.
- Radio communication, please listen to Marshall's instructions, if not clear ask for them to repeat.
- If stuck, breath in before you floor it, you might be making matters worst, wait for Marshall's instructions and if not clear ask for them to clarify, no harm in coming out of the car to inspect where and how you got stuck, sometimes that gives a good view of what you need to do.
- A drive like this one is designed to test endurance amongst other driving skills, always the most dangerous times are after lunch (yes, the Spanish siesta) and towards the end of the drive when we are all tired, extra concentration and attention required at these times.
Finally, as always, thank you Shamsi for another amazing lead, Mabubaker and Giorgio, as said before extremely impressive work, and of course to everyone else that attended and made the drive possible.
See you on the sand soon.