Survive the Tide
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:13 am
Dear Almosters
It was a lovely sunny morning adjacent to the Al Ain Airport if somewhat chilly at around 14C
The drivers started arriving and deflating – there was a little confusion as @Rashidjass had also posted a drive “No Pain No Gain” for brave intermediates. With similar meeting point and time.
Once that was sorted out our briefing was done by @Scorpio we would be travelling through the amazing area from Al Ain to Sweihan with some large dunes giving an opportunity for the 10+ Newbies to put into practice the skills they have been developing
High arches, crossovers, straight climbs, long steep drops, safari style and some technical areas thrown in.
We had @Ehab in 2nd lead, @mpodroid mid convoy for support, our founder @alshamsi_m floating around in the jimny – popping up everywhere to give instructions and advise where needed. I was assigned as sweeper.
The Drivers all performed really well so we had a nice flow and only a few interruptions – a popout and a deflated tire – both rectified quickly by the team. A few 2nd tries but that’s a normal part of the learning process better to be safe and to turn down rather than fight gravity or fly over a crest.
Towards the end of the drive, we arrived at the “old lady” dune the first few cars did a climb on the dune only to be interrupted by another small convoy driving through and splitting us completely – they seemed to have no regard for polite desert etiquette and were more interested in their own agenda. So @Scorpio changed our track and drove around to the other side of the old lady – there the drivers had a nice drop, a left turn and steep climb with a right turn and climb to the straight crest, this resulted in a few 2nd tries as drivers slowed be for the crest in order not to fly. By this time the intermediate convoy had joined us and they sat perched on the crest of the old lady watching our group do the cross. As sweeper I managed to need 2 attempts to cross the dune ! on both first attempts the WASP just didn’t want to give me the momentum to reach the top – plus I did not want to fly over the top !
The drive ended on time in the Sweihan area where we inflated said our goodbyes and headed home. Even with the 530am wake up it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning in the dunes.
By the way the WASP is for sale – if interested or you know anyone who is looking for a FJ please check out my listing in the bazar section of the website forum.
It was a lovely sunny morning adjacent to the Al Ain Airport if somewhat chilly at around 14C
The drivers started arriving and deflating – there was a little confusion as @Rashidjass had also posted a drive “No Pain No Gain” for brave intermediates. With similar meeting point and time.
Once that was sorted out our briefing was done by @Scorpio we would be travelling through the amazing area from Al Ain to Sweihan with some large dunes giving an opportunity for the 10+ Newbies to put into practice the skills they have been developing
High arches, crossovers, straight climbs, long steep drops, safari style and some technical areas thrown in.
We had @Ehab in 2nd lead, @mpodroid mid convoy for support, our founder @alshamsi_m floating around in the jimny – popping up everywhere to give instructions and advise where needed. I was assigned as sweeper.
The Drivers all performed really well so we had a nice flow and only a few interruptions – a popout and a deflated tire – both rectified quickly by the team. A few 2nd tries but that’s a normal part of the learning process better to be safe and to turn down rather than fight gravity or fly over a crest.
Towards the end of the drive, we arrived at the “old lady” dune the first few cars did a climb on the dune only to be interrupted by another small convoy driving through and splitting us completely – they seemed to have no regard for polite desert etiquette and were more interested in their own agenda. So @Scorpio changed our track and drove around to the other side of the old lady – there the drivers had a nice drop, a left turn and steep climb with a right turn and climb to the straight crest, this resulted in a few 2nd tries as drivers slowed be for the crest in order not to fly. By this time the intermediate convoy had joined us and they sat perched on the crest of the old lady watching our group do the cross. As sweeper I managed to need 2 attempts to cross the dune ! on both first attempts the WASP just didn’t want to give me the momentum to reach the top – plus I did not want to fly over the top !
The drive ended on time in the Sweihan area where we inflated said our goodbyes and headed home. Even with the 530am wake up it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning in the dunes.
By the way the WASP is for sale – if interested or you know anyone who is looking for a FJ please check out my listing in the bazar section of the website forum.