Almost4x4

Dear Almosters,

Saturday was another drive in @Barish Stars Track Series for -5 Newbies. This drive was just a short distance down the E66 near Sky Dive Dubai, so for a change my alarm was set for a reasonable time with the meeting time at 8am.
I woke early (before my alarm) and headed to the meeting point. I was soon joined by @vdrakopoulou . Once everyone arrived @Barish set the convoy order with Founder @alshamsi_m floating, intermediate in the convoy between every 2 -3 Newbies , we had @Victoria sweeping, @AhmadHasan , @Mghoneim and unseen for a long time @Stephan joining with him, his wife and lovely daughter.
It was going to be something of a family drive with many of the newbies being joined by family members @siddharthsai , @OmarShams , @Haidy79 , @gregoryhorn , @dusk1911 , @Ahmedalabassi and @Abdelghani completing the convoy.
I was appointed 2nd lead behind “The General” in his trusty jeep – that car with its big tires and short wheel base ! it can sometimes be a challenge to follow exactly his line as it turns on a dime compared to an Big Chunky FJ !
@Barish had a hard time trying to find a nice track due to the vegetation taking over what was before clear desert. So it was a bumpy ride most of the time, as we zig zagged through the humps and bumps of the bushes. Every now and then The General found some clean small dunes and gave the drivers some challenges, although these too caused some issues with the extremely soft sand. Towards the end we came across a decent climb that required full concentration and car control to complete the climb successfully. With some drivers having to take and alternate track to overcome the obstacle. Around the mid-point of the drive @Barish and @alshamsi_m called for a break and gave a 2nd briefing to help the drivers understand the principals of driving in these conditions, reiterating the basics of momentum, not to fight gravity, correct following distance and of course radio communication – al aspects that will eventually become 2nd nature to the drivers as they gain experience.
We finished the drive on time at Al Qudra, inflated and headed off to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

As this is my third drive ...starting with Marshall @Barish in a reasonable morning time and of course with Mr @alshamsi_m they gave us a quick brief about the nature of the area and that the sand is softer in those areas.....for me the trip was two parts,first half I was tension with the last trip is all that I can think about when I couldn't cross the high dune...I was trying to focus on the track and follow the car in front of me their was a moment when I lost track partly the car slided but thank god to was a small one...then I got stuck on a top of a dune du to soft sand ...Mr @alshamsi_m gave us agolden advice about how to deal with such situations....then I crossed the dune after this point the trip changed 180 degrees for me .I felt relieved and I really enjoyed the rest of it for the first time....I successfully claimed asteep Hill...I thank every one from marshals to rescue team @Vika & @brett and also @ahmedjamal for all the support and valuable information ..

As this is my third drive ...starting with Marshall @Barish in a reasonable morning time and of course with Mr @alshamsi_m they gave us a quick brief about the nature of the area and that the sand is softer in those areas.....for me the trip was two parts,first half I was tension with the last trip is all that I can think about when I couldn't cross the high dune...I was trying to focus on the track and follow the car in front of me their was a moment when I lost track partly the car slided but thank god to was a small one...then I got stuck on a top of a dune du to soft sand ...Mr @alshamsi_m gave us agolden advice about how to deal with such situations....then I crossed the dune after this point the trip changed 180 degrees for me .I felt relieved and I really enjoyed the rest of it for the first time....I successfully claimed asteep Hill...I thank every one from marshals to rescue team @Vika & @brett and also @ahmedjamal for all the support and valuable information ..

Hello everyone,

These drives following the CM are part of Almost4x4 traditional training series usually not focusing on driving but focusing on getting used to different terrains, your cars and convoy discipline. We usually try straight crests, arches, technical areas; we usually try couple of different obstacles not to beat but to fail and learn from our mistakes.

Now its time to experience different things in your new level and enjoy your journey in Almost4x4.

Thanks to our Founder @alshamsi_m for great support of overseeing the convoy and priceless advices/guidance and rescue & support team for their efforts.

Dont forget; you can never change unless you do improve.

See you next time.

Barish

Thank you once again @Barish @alshamsi_m for the opportunity to drive.

Somehow 8am drives makes a lot of sense (except for the traffic buildup). I really enjoyed waking up at a reasonable time and functioning like a normal human being .. Obviously just kidding. I'm a morning person and especially drive days are like picnic days during school. Excitement is usually the alarm.

The drive was good but here are a couple of things I felt:

1. I felt the convoy stops were at random places. I had to adjust the car multiple times to make sure I stopped at a good angle. Might be an issue with me but not sure if that was planned or was something only I felt.

2. A small disappoinment was that I was told not to climb the big dune and take an alternative path. I know @alshamsi_m instructed me to do that because of safety + my car couldn't have probably cleared since the trail was damaged but I somehow felt I should have tried and failed. But yes experience is everything and safety is of utmost importance, so it was for sure the right call from @Barish and @alshamsi_m.

3. I don't know whether it was the 8am effect but the trip felt really short. Maybe I had more energy left .

Again thanks to all the Marshalls, crew and support team. Looking forward to the next drive.

Hello everyone

The area between Marqab and Al Qudra is changing dramatically, the drive started with bushes everywhere which hard for the leading marshal to find an intresting track.

The second part was more fun and challenging buy unfortunately we were running out of time.

I had to leave earlier since I had another drive to catch but I made sure that our leading marshal took everyone back to safety.

Till next time keep the sand flying

Cheers
Shamsi