CM New Adventure

[brett]

Dear Almosters
Another CM drive and the opportunity to introduce a new batch of members to the family of Almost4x4.

A pleasant morning greeted the new comers with always and relaxed @giorgio as master of ceremonies seated comfortably in his chair to give a brief history of the club and the very important theory of the basics of off-roading (almost4x4 style) with all the important details around safety in our drives.

The group was divided into 2 convoys. I was assigned to the convoy led by our founder and master of the dunes @alshamsi_m with the floating support of the mountain (dune) goat marshal @Rashidjass to keep a watchful eye on the new members. I was appointed as sweeper to ensure no one was left behind. We started with. Convoy of 15 and ended the drive with the same number so I guess we didn’t loose anyone !

It was a very pleasant drive with @alshamsi_m choosing a perfect track as an introduction to the new drivers. We had a mixture of different vehicle types with the usual FJ’s, jeeps, Jimny’s, etc and for the first time ever a Haval ! The Haval completed the drive albeit minus some unneeded plastic. All in all the drive was smooth sailing with only a few second tries and a couple of recoveries only. If you don’t get stuck, you are not learning ! So I expect there will be a lot of learning to come in the drives ahead for the Newbies who choose to continue their learning journey with almost4x4.

With such a relaxed drive and being at the back with no one watching I decided to learn how to drive using D as much as possible rather than 1st and 2nd gear. It was a different experience and an interesting approach to navigate the climbs and drops in D.

We had @Ely experiencing the comfort of her new FJ after the Jimny of her past. Welcome to the FJ world.

Thanks also to the intermediates support that was rarely called upon this time @BuTouma and @Mghoneim and @Stephan as 2nd lead.
and in the convoy lead by @Girogio we had Floating Marshal @Solmaz and advanced driver @Mahmoodyasin with intermeadiates @Rooies @galindakis @Germain and @CARLOSS
with our media crew @Ehab capturing all the action on Video


Wishing everyone happy holidays and see you all again in 2024

[giorgio]

Finally the weather has stabilized and the Mornings are cold enough to welcome back jackets.

This CM drive was the last one for the 2023 year and the participation was quite high.
The new members were welcomed to the Almost family with a short briefing and were decided by two convoys.

As a lead of convoy 2 with @Álvaro.galindo-zamarro on the second lead and @Rooies sweeping Marshall @Solmaz floating along with @Mahmoodyasin  the convoy departed full of expectations for a smooth drive.

We early in the drive lost a new member with a small damage to his car so @Solmaz had to escort him out to a safe location just to join us  way later at the ending point.

The drive was slow pace with minimum challenges but several self recoveries and few assisted ones.

As it was mentioned at the briefing, radio communication along with keeping the proper distance are the  basic lessons learned for this drive.

I will urge the drivers to complete their tool inspection and prepare to register for the next week's 5- drive.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

[CARLOSS]

Hi everyone!

Another CM drive another batch of eager newbies coming up soon being always good to have new blood in the Club

I came on time but to my surprise, most of the drivers were already set up meaning that expectations were high, and nobody wanted to miss his chance.

After Master of Dunes @giorgio ’s brilliant briefing, we were organized in two convoys, and I was assigned in Giorgio’s one taking a place in the middle of the convoy.

Convoy performed very well meaning that some members have already experience in the desert, most probably . I assisted a couple of recoveries with the Viking rope, supported one self-recovery and reconnecting the convoy a couple of times so, there was a bit of everything and at the end of the day I enjoy the ride.

We finished on time with drivers happy & getting their tools inspected so I hope I will see most of them soon.

Carlos

[Chris69]

My 1st drive with almost4x4, group was seperated into 2 convoys after briefing by Giorgio.I was in the convoy led by Giorgio himself and Alvaro 2nd lead. Route chosen was ideal for someone of my level and you could understand the principles we was being taught that day on the small dunes would later be applicable to larger obstacles. All in all a very fun morning with a good crew of people, looking forward to seeing you all on the sand in the new year

[ahmed77moharem]

Hi
It was my 1st trip with almost 4x4 group & started our trip by nicely briefing from marshal @giorgio & his instructions for us as a newbie driver, we were organized in two convoys & I was at convoy 2 which leaded by himself.

I liked the safely organized trip by the specialist group & loved the family atmosphere.

Moharem

[pradeepramjee]

The trip was really awesome. Shamsi’s guidance was very well planned.Giorgio’s introduction was so informative and our Desert Goat (Jase) no words. Desert seems to be his playground

Regards,
Pradeep Ramjee

[BShehzad85]

Hi Everyone, joined Almost 4x4 app over a year ago, WhatsApp group few months ago but never got the opportunity to participate, finally it happened for me as I was able to join CM drive, great experience to finally meet M Al Shamsi and team of Marshals and Seniors, great briefing, keeping safety a priority, joined Team 2, great driving experience, at the end had one on one chat with Mr. Giorgio, he checked the tools I had. Awaiting Jack/base and hook to be able to get my , can’t wait to be part of the family.

[alshamsi_m]

Hello Everyone

This is the last Club Member drive for this year 2023 and it didn't disappoint us. We had a very nice turnover of excited new family members.

@giorgio gave us the briefing and split the convoys to two. The track was designed overall to be easy but with few surprises to break the ice and put the drivers in the mood

The track was in two parts, 44 km, and 16 km to reach the Dubai/Al Ain road. Although we passed 11:30 am, the cut-off time and the end of the drive, I decided to give my convoy their last 14 km to finish part one.

I hope this day gave you a glimpse of what offroading is about and how serious this hobby is !!!

Till next time stay safe and keep the sand flying

Cheers
Shamsi

[Rooies]

It was my first CM drive in a very long time.

We met at the meeting point, Uncle @giorgio gave a very detailed briefing about the club & how we operate/drive. I'm pretty sure evrybody knew exactly what was going on. The group was split into 2 convoys, I was with @giorgio sweeping & @alshamsi_m was leading the other convoy.

We headed into the desert, big convoy, 16 cars in total. The going was good overall, radio communication got better as we went along. At one stage @Solmaz went over a dune, just to find the camel herder sitting there, he did not move, just sat still, I could see @Solmaz laughing in her car . There was one casualty, a Jeep sprung a leak in the radiator & @Solmaz helped them back to the road.

There was a couple of stucks & @Carlos helped them to get going again.

Overall it was a nice drive, not to many issues or incidents.

Thank you @giorgio for arranging the drive & all the other marshalls & inters for looking after the new members.

Till we meet in the sand again, stay safe.

Greetings
Rooies