Shake it Off

User avatar
jeepers76
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2020 2:45 pm
Location: Ajman
Has thanked: 29 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Hello Almosters

With Marshal @Barish leading the convoy, it was an amazing drive. Fun, Fun, Fun was the name of game. Game was composed of all the flavors for an oldbie (10+) drive; technical, high speed rally like runs, speedy side cresting and a tinge of switching.

Day was particularly hot one, with temperature well above 45 degree Celsius, it was hazy and windy. Two convoys were formed 10- led by @Agalon and 10+ led by @Barish. Armed with special instructions from @alshamsi_m to maintain distance I was initially the at the 3rd place which later became 2nd due to unfortunate brake malfunction of 2nd vehicle. @alshamsi_m who was also in supporting role graciously volunteered to lead the malfunctioning pathfinder to salvation.

Drive went relatively smooth with few second tries and hardly any recoveries. Participants played the game with zeal and best of their abilities, which was quite evident by the praises for the Marshal @Barish at the rest stops. In total approximately 80 kms were covered under 3 hours.

Drive concluded near the CM drive meeting point, followed by traditional chit chat and food sharing. As usual chit chat session is marked by homemade KARAK and ARABIC Coffee by the founder.

Take Home of the Day

• Once the day is hot, sand gets dry and loose, therefore to get the grip momentum and tap-tap technique works best.
• Do not fight gravity to the point that one is in danger of damaging the car.
• Be mindful of capabilities of vehicle ahead of you, and adjust accordingly.
• You are the leader for the car behind you.

With high hopes for a fun and challenging day for Friday 13th-Let there be Carnage and thanks to Marshals/ Support Crews and participants, allow me to say my Good Byes.

Till we see each other on next trip.

Regards
Umer Jameel Shah
Oldbie with a FJ
@jeepers76
User avatar
Martin
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:39 pm
Location: Dubai
Has thanked: 160 times
Been thanked: 142 times

As always such a privilege to be on an A4x4 drive. After everyone arrived and was ready to go on time, the briefings were done and groups split into 10+ and the 10- group I was in. We quickly got going under the fine leadership of @Agalon.

The drive started well with everyone getting into a nice rhythm. Unfortunately, I got stuck on what seemed to be an easy crest, I’m blaming the soft sand and not being used to my be Geolander tyres 😆
Thankfully @Rathica came to my rescue and pulled me out easily.

We then got back into the work of following @Agalons great, sometimes technical lines. The rest of the drive went very smoothly apart from a couple of pop-outs from a Pajero in the group.

Following a relatively fast track, we then made our way to the solar park at Al Qudra to drop off a few guys who didn’t want to partake in the social meet-up after the drive.

Once we dropped them off @Agalon took the small number of remaining Almoster troops on a very enjoyable technical drive. The endpoint of which was to meet up with the rest of the crew to enjoy @alshamsi_m coffee snd famous “healthy” cookies. Many chats and advice were a great way to end the evening.

I can’t wait until the next drive 🥳
User avatar
KIMOz
Crew
Crew
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:03 am
Location: Dubai Land
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 34 times

Hii All,

Upon arrival to the meeting point (AlFaqaa-Dubai) and preparing Casper for the action, I was so happy to meet one of our old friends @orlantsev that had to leave the country couple of years back. We had our Briefing by @alshamsi_m & @Barish. The the drive was divided into 2 convoys (10+ & 10-). I was selected to drive with the 10- convoy as a floating support. The Convoy was led by @Agalon , @Rathica was the sweeper and @Mabubakr, @Tomvanhouten & I were the floating supports.

The area was so nice and was attracting us to play more and more. In general the drive was smooth for that level ,we had couple of second tries, one crested car and two popouts. Thanks for the members how helped in fixing the popouts. I recommend for the members who were watching from far to get involved and help in fixing the future popouts, as practicing is the best way of learning.

We ended up at AlQudra, a group went with @agalon to chill at the seating area, but I was from the group who had to leave due to some commitments.

Thanks @alshamsi_m @Agalon @Barish & the support team for the drive.

See you soon in Sand.
KIMOz.
thumbsup
Last edited by KIMOz on Sun Aug 01, 2021 4:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
AdamW
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:46 am
Location: Dubai
Has thanked: 27 times
Been thanked: 17 times

What a drive it was!

At the beginning big thanks to @Presa for organizing the drive, and @Alshamsi_m , @Barish , @Agalon, all support team who made it happen under Presa absence, and of course all participants. thumbsup

I was placed in 10+ convoy lead by @Barish, with @James as a second lead. Convoy was supported by @rapailo , @Sorin , @Jasper , @Gabor and the Founder himself.
After short brief, the fun begun. The sand was extremely soft in this temperatures and after first drop i found myself little bit stuck in the small ditch. ORLY
At the beginning I didn't clicked what had happen as the ground looks flat! I managed to go out by myself , and continue the drive. cool
The pace was fast, and we climbed quite a high dunes, lot of side crest and arches. Skid plate was really in use. thumbsup

After the drive as usual we had a chit chat with Karak Chai and Coffee (@alshamsi_m - sorry for overfilling :yarr: ).

As every drive brings more and more experience, that one was not an exception:
1. Thank you @barish for good advice how to control your steering wheel on soft sand traverses
2. Don't fight the gravity
3. ALWAYS stay focused - as even "flat area" might surprise you
4. DON'T FIGHT THE GRAVITY

Thanks for a great afternoon and see you on the sand!
Ehab
media
media
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2020 10:27 pm
Has thanked: 539 times
Been thanked: 532 times

Shake it off, i knew something will be shacked but i did not know it will be me, first time as second lead, wow, thats different.
I was delighted to be in @Agalon convoy and it was great to know he is back, welcome back dear.

Usually i get positioned in the second half of the convey, i always make sure i keep enough distance with the car infront of me and keep an eye on the car in my back, yesterday i do not think i looked even once at my mirrors OSMILEY

Being a second lead require different way of thinking and extra attention not to avoid an issue but to learn. Looking how Marshals approach untouched dunes and find the right track for the convoy while making sure an alternative track (exit strategy) is always inplace, that was priceless.

Trying to keep up with Agalon while learning how he approach the dune and questioning why he approached it from this angle not the other side, was great learning for me.

Making sure i keep a short but safe distance to avoid losing the track and make sure i listen carefully to the radio was extremely important as second lead, i was prepared to get stuck multiple times and i was prepared to face many refusals but i was surprised by my performance having only single refusal during out the whole trip, huge thanks to Almost4x4 family, i learned a lot so far and i am sure still a lot o be learnt.

At the end of the trip, most drivers decided to leave next to the solar farm, we reached their and Agalon said who ever would like to continue to the seating area can join me but under his responsibility, Almost4x4 trip is officially over, reaching to the seating area was a trip by itself, Agalon did not chose the easy pylon track, no we head back to the desert and we went through many small and sharp dunes, we were only 3 cars in addition to Agalon and we had multiple refusals and one recovery and that was the bonus trip, so you can imagine what was the situation in the main trip TT TT

Special thanks to the support team and looking forward toward more learning.

Enjoy watching:

User avatar
brett
Crew
Crew
Posts: 204
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 10:08 am
Location: Dubai
Has thanked: 1294 times
Been thanked: 830 times

Dear All,

The Drive Name – “Shake it Off” was unassuming enough – Wrong !

So we arrived early to allow plenty of time to deflate, chit chat etc. @rapailo was first to arrive, then the others started to roll up.

Unfortunately @presa was unable to escape Abu Dhabi due to Covid restrictions on his recent return from overseas. Hopefully he will be back in the sand for the next drive

The convoy was split into 2 groups. I was placed in the convoy to be lead by @Barish , with@James at 2nd lead, @Gabor sweeping, @alshamsi_m , @rapailo and @Jasper floating, with @Sorin strategically placed in the middle.

I was toward the tail end. It started off at a brisk pace in some lovely dunes. Did I mention it was hot ! The sand was scorching and very very soft.

In the early stages of the drive it is normally the time to settle into the drive and get the rhythm flowing. But unfortunately for me this was not the case – my mojo was not with me and I was sliding all over the place – the wasp had the control – not me !! I was constantly fighting gravity and we all know who wins that battle. I had to abort a crest crossover and it was not pretty ! @alshamsi_m In his wisdom decided my co-pilot should be reassigned as his passenger.

I regathered my thoughts and composure, then it dawned on me ! I was hitting the accelerator too hard my natural reflex to accelerate was causing more fighting of gravity as the tail end was slipping out when actually a lighter foot on the gas was what I should have been doing. ! I turned of the pedal control off and suddenly things we better !! My Mojo was back – or so I thought.

I made a climb and a crossover successfully only to suddenly see @potior in the ditch below me – although 2 cars in front of me had successfully passed and I therefore thought it was clear. As it happens @piotr sitting in the ditch was like a magnet and instead of powering through the arch mother gravity took over and I had no option but to turn into the slid – headed straight for @piotr. I was fortunate to stop short of his bumper, I can only imagine what he was thinking as he watched me sliding towards him.. @piotr managed to self recover. I was on what felt like a perilous angle – for the 2nd time in the drive. But under the expert instructions from @rapailo the use of 4L and diff lock I managed to crawl backward then self recover – Phew no damage done and no pulling required.

In the meantime @alshamsi_m was escorting a vehicle out as it was having issues – no brakes ! So off he went with my co-pilot having the ride of her life as they headed back to meet up with the convoy. …..
that’s a story for another time

The drive finished up near the CM drive meeting point. We all enjoyed lively chit chat and of course the famous Karak


Thanks to the usual suspects form making this a memorable drive and learning experience.

My takeaways

- Sometimes less is more (throttle control)
- We learn something on every drive and our skills develop – sometimes 1 step forward, 2 steps back !
- When you lose your mojo try and relax and regain your confidence
- Concentrate and think about the reason why things are not going right, then adapt and get back on track
- The advice of marshals and senior members is invaluable !
Until the next Adventure

Brett
Red Baron
User avatar
Mabubaker
Marshal
Marshal
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:21 am
Location: Abu Dhabi
Has thanked: 153 times
Been thanked: 146 times
Contact:

A great afternoon with ALMOST4X4 newbies.
Despite the heat of the summer, the attendance was almost 100% which shows how much members are committed to learn offroading with ALMOST4X4.

Two convoys were organised by the Marshals, one with @Barish leading the 10+ and @Agalon leading the 10- supported by @Rathica , @Tomvanhouten , @KIMOz and myself.

The 10- convoy did well, the normal spices of such drives were added with a couple of popouts, one stuck and few second tries.

@Agalon made an amazing track for the newbies and picked up different terrains which gave the newbies a greater learning experience.
A couple of takeaways from this drive:
1- Don't fight gravity. If your car is sliding it means you are fighting.
2- Its normal to do second tries, so don't be shy, concentrate to take the obstacle right and safe.


See you in the sand!
M Abubaker
User avatar
Tomvanhouten
Intermediate
Intermediate
Posts: 190
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 10:25 pm
Has thanked: 1078 times
Been thanked: 1075 times

Hello everyone,

good to see so many trip reports in already, it must mean that people enjoyed fully!

I was assigned to @Agalon convoy, who was leading the group in a great way.
The pace was good, the dunes were soft and challenges for the convoy were their in plenty!

I was enjoying greatly, floating around and assisting where I could.

Thank you all for the great drive, till the next one!

Tom
User avatar
alshamsi_m
Founder
Founder
Posts: 837
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:29 am
Location: Al Hamriyah
Has thanked: 930 times
Been thanked: 960 times
Contact:

Hello Everyone

It was nice to have @orlantsev back as a passenger and it seemed that we had a lot to catch up. Also, it shows that no matter how far our members could go, they consider ALMOST4X4 as their second family in UAE :innocent:

Going back to the drive itself, I think the members mentioned in their trip reports that @Barish gave us a hell of a ride thumbsup it was amazing blank Thanks to our leader. Also @rapailo for keeping an eye on all rescue scenarios and @Gabor for making sure that no one left behind.

Special Thanks to :
1. @Jasper for giving me the passenger seat in the drive.
2. @Gabor for giving me the passenger seat to go home.
3. @Tomvanhouten & @Laarni for your help in rescuing Mando.

Till next time, stay safe and see you soon

Shamsi
Adventurous League of Mountains, Oceans and Sand Thrills
theDanutz
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 1:19 pm
Location: Dubai
Has thanked: 72 times
Been thanked: 63 times

Dear Almosters,

Shake it off” – indeed was as the name suggests.. a return, a good stretch from few weeks without driving! Very pleasant and extremely eventful (..for me) OSMILEY

I would like to thank @presa for organizing this event, and grateful to @Agalon , @Barish and @alshamsi_m for the lead and your advices!,

I arrived to meeting point like 30 min earlier to give enough time to deflate, prepare and have a chit-chat. So happy to meet everyone there, I missed you! While home in Romania, I showed off to everyone with our trips and videos! thumbsup

I was assigned 10- convoy, led by @Agalon , with @Mabubaker , @Rathica , @Tomvanhouten , @KIMOz supporting! The track itself was very pleasant, and soon we were making our way through the dunes.

Unfortunately, for this drive I was kind of a star (…not in a good way nose bleed ).. I had 2 pop-outs .. one of which on the back wheel. I don’t know what has happened, I assume I deflated too much.. I intended 12-11, but during first pop-out I noticed one wheel was 6.5 (I corrected it.. but shortly after, tire felt from that wheel, hence my second pop-ut). I will go to re-install all my 4 tires and check my pressure gauges. It’s experience I gained, and am grateful for this, and I would like to Thank you to everyone whom helped me!!

It’s such a hectic feeling when pop-out happens (thoughts run through your head.. “like what did I do wrong”, “now I’m stopping everyone”, “where are my tools..”… “what should I do better”) and thanks to all your support and friendly advices.. you manage to take this weight from my shoulders! I owe you for this!

Shortly after the second pop-ut, again lost my flag.. and @Tomvanhouten delivered it back to me, I will go and install a proper mount instead of the suction cup which keeps failing.. so we don’t add this problem anymore! I am grateful! Lesson learned!
Apart from these unpleasant events, I look also at the positives, I did few second attempts, self-recoveries, happy I didn’t bother anybody to pull me out! I start to know more and more my car (6+ drives now) brigade.baka-wolf.com

The very nice part of the journey was returning to meeting point, after the trip ended near the road. This section can be a drive in itself! Although we were only 4 cars left, we navigated through the dunes with very nice pace! I am grateful @Agalon for this wonderful experience, which turned to be the cherry on the cake! Small dunes, some nice turns, crests, technical.. overall a very nice shortcut and we arrived just in time, merging with the 10+ convoy which was coming from their drive! thumbsup

My biggest take-away from this drive – never try to push your car more than it “tells” you it can. It is a fine line between the proper amount of speed, momentum and over accelerating and rear side turning. Better to try again with more confidence. I am constantly trying to tune this line. pacman

Another very nice experience Almost 4x4 trademark!!

Until next drive, I wish you a great week ahead and looking forward to meet again!

Best regards,
Dan
Post Reply