Red Velvet - 17 May 2025

[Zoubeir]

A lovely morning spent in the company of the Almost 4x4 members.
It was my first trip after an extended break. At the meeting point, we were split in 2 convoys. I was in the one led by @Rashidjass supported by @Paddy , @Ehab and @brett
The area chosen had a mix of climbs, drops and an open stretch towards the end for a slightly faster driving.
A few second tries and recoveries later (and a pop-out I think), the convoy flew nicely towards the end.
The support team was called to the rescue many times today. We were well guided through the climbs and drops. A few things to work on such as communication and what (not) to do during second tries.
I'm really looking forward to the summer trips! Thanks to all the marshals, members and supporting crew.

[siddharthsai]

10+ baby!!!!

Finally that day has come. Can't believe I didn't miss a single drive since my CM. What started off as something I wanted to try and whatever it has become now, it's just wonderful.

As usual I was on time for the drive (really proud of this). On the way I met @OmarShams without any planning and we drove together to the drive location. Deflated and was ready in 5 mins.

The convoy was split into two and I was with @alshamsi_m's convoy. Shamsi announced that I was 2nd lead and that really surprised me (also was a bit nervous, not gonna lie). I have to say this. When Almost asks you to be 2nd lead, it's an honor and privilege and I do not take that lightly. I was really excited as well as nervous. I have never driven behind @alshamsi_m and didn't know what to expect.

The drive started and Shamsi kept pulling away at certain points where I had to switch to 2nd and even 3rd gear (4H) to keep up. But he somehow knows everyone's level and never went beyond what the convoy was capable of.

Amazing job by @Haidy79 keeping up behind me. There was a point where she almost crashed into me. But I had also made a mistake there following Shamsi closely.

2nd lead has a huge role to place for the entire convoy. I had multiple refusals because during straight crests, I followed Shamsi but failed to keep distance forcing me (and the entire convoy behind me) to reverse and readjust.

When this happened the first time, I kept this in mind but I couldn't read the dunes. A normal dune after 10 mins suddenly turns into a straight crest and downhill. It's a balance of maintaining distance and also following the same track. It's purely a skill and I really hope to get better in the coming drives.

This is one of the most coolest drives I have been on since I touched the sand.

Also SALALAH!!!! HERE I COME

Thank you everyone for making this drive happen.
It's was just simply lovely!

[Ehab]

Hi Almosters

An Almost4x4 trips never disappoint any participant, the drive was in the well known area of Nahil which gave everyone a chance to learn something new or practice a needed skill.
I was delighted to support the convoy led by Rashid where the newbies had a chance to do straight crests, few arches and most importantly climbing considerably large dunes.

The convoy did very well with an area of improvement in communication and momentum control.

See you soon

[King]

Nahil- Red Velvet was absolutely delicious
The day started with small gathering with @Haidy79 @abbasi @ahmed77moharem for morning coffee and chatting at petrol station ˆˆˆ fueling up our vehicles with gas and our bodies with caffeine
Heading to the meeting point we came in line with other club members, and it was amazing to see all these beautiful souls flying together early morning on empty roads seeking same happiness and joy.
All for one … one for all
At meeting point, everyone gets ready and grouped together to get ride briefing, where we came to know that; the organizer @optimus couldn’t make it and @Rashidjass and @Barish stepped in to attend as leading marshals with the amazing man @alshamsi_m . That was a clear indication of core values and strength of the club.
Few In Desert is More !
With 12 newbies and 3 marshals and definitely with a big group of intermediate and advanced club members @alshamsi_m decided to give us a VIP treatment and separate us into 2 convoies. Which was a very pleasant surprise to allow for smooth flow and batter experience.
Following @Rashidjass as marshal and @paddi as second lead @ Ehab @msghoneim as supporting team and @brett as floating around.
Climbing up and up and more up
The main experience of today track was to climb up and manage to climb more while developing your driving technique;…… with a few refreshing downhills over high crest. As we experienced few recovery for various reasons, it was great chance for watch and learn session. Special recovery for critical side-crest and front-towing downhill, was very professional and added value for our learning experience [cost-free].
Do you like Arabic music!!!
Toward the end of the track, while driving back to the meeting point, my radio malfunctioned and unexpectedly broadcasted my cabin music over the communication channel. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
It was great ride with the club and ended safely on time 11:00 AM.
Till next time … thank you

[Haidy79]

Another day on the sand...we started from the meeting point with our founder @A alshamsi and marshals @baris and @Rashidjass every body were onetime we deflated and we where spilt into 2 convoys.....I was with Mr @A alshamsi and Mr @Barish with the support team Mr Abo Salm started with a quick brief and mentioned that theere will be ahigh clims and high going down....I was the third car behind @siddharthsai to be honest I gave him some hard moments as I didn't keep proper distance....I get little worry of losing track ...but support is always there....
My turning point in the trip is a dune we had to clim as my car didn't have enough momentum i couldn't make it it stopped in in a high level with soft sand drifting the car to the left side it was a critical situation... But of course with Almost4x4 you are in good hands ...Mr Abo Salam helped me with a big smile and calming voice direct and simple instructions with Mr Baris eyes from distance and all support team ...every thing went smooth and fine ....we did a few clims with a high slide from the other side hearing the amazing sound of singing duns as you go down...learning how to control your car and be in the right speed....
At last thank you all is not enough....

[nomi4x4]

Wonderful day for the drive, it was not too hot as we started the drive at 8AM in the morning, temperature was around 28 'C and there was nice wind blowing.

The drive went well as we completed the whole track within less amount of time, had a few 2nd tries but no pop out and only 1 recovery throughout the track.

There was one position in the whole track where my car was struggling despite couple of tries but rest of the 95% track went through without any struggle in single attempt.

Definitely increasing my skill learning from the exports. Might have to do some car performance upgrades or might even upgrade the car itself to go through very tricky obstacle.

As always thanks to all the Marshals (@alshamsi @Barish and all the support crew (@bobpavan for their patience, support and guidance. looking forward for next drive.

Cheers.
Noman

[massaleh]

May 17, 2025
Nahil Drive

Surprisingly, I was the first to arrive, something that never happens, as @brett is usually the early bird. But just two minutes later, he showed up. It was around 7:00 AM.

I began prepping the car, and this time, I had a special guest, my 8-year-old son, Adam
It was his first solo adventure with me on a drive, and he was eager to learn every step. I let him help with deflating the tires, fixing the flag, securing the gear inside the car, and checking the radio. Meanwhile, the other drivers started gathering.

After a quick briefing, Bu Salem organized us into two convoys. One was led by Bu Salam, and the other by @Rashidjass , which I joined. I was positioned as the third car, right behind @Paddy , who was the second lead. I really liked this spot as it gave me a chance to observe and learn from two experienced drivers ahead of me.

Rashid started off smoothly with us, navigating through gentle dunes. But soon came the first straight climb and I got crested at the top. I felt a bit disappointed, maybe a little overconfident since it was my ninth drive. But seeing others struggle too made me realize it was just part of the learning curve. Thankfully, it was still early around 9:00 AM so the support team (@Mghoneim , @Paddy , and @Ehab ) were still fresh.

As the drive progressed, we tackled various straight crossings. The challenges increased, and Rashid’s instructions were clear “Gear one, full power !!!”

We climbed, side-sliding, and arched through the dunes until I made a hard turn and got a “pop-out” I joked with the support team that I was just helping them complete their checklist . As usual, it is the full support team that was helping, and thus 3 minutes and we were done. They gave me tips to avoid it in the future.

I had a great chat with Paddy while the support team was busy with a different rescue. He shared his early experiences, including how he started with a Ford in the CM drive and switched to an FJ after his third drive. It was inspiring to hear how drivers evolve.

Before wrapping up, Rashid gave the support team a treat by taking us to the Nahil pool a high dune. He let the intermediate and advanced drivers show off their skills, and they were truly impressive (ما شاء الله). During this time, Adam (my kid) hunted @Ehab , deflating his tires and asked him to join the ride. As always, Ehab welcomed him warmly. That moment made Adam’s day.

On our way out, one driver’s radio got stuck, and he did not know, and we all ended up listening to his music. Rashid calmly asked once, then twice, and finally said, “I don’t know in which language to say it!” It was a funny moment, no one knew who the criminal was until Rashid stopped the convoy. A minute later, silence returned, and Ehab announced, “It’s solved ” It wasn’t Ehab of course, as we all know he listen to “Anashid” which I like even, but what we were listening to was an old Egyptian song. I won’t reveal who it was, though…

At the end of the day, Adam sent the photos he took to our family group and even recorded a voice note describing the trip. Hearing his excitement, especially about his ride with Ehab, was heartwarming. He said, “I joined Uncle Ehab, and he took me on an enjoooyable ride” his way of saying “جولة مممممتعة” I later shared the voice note in our group WhatsApp as my official trip report

Thank you, Almost 4x4 team, for a truly memorable day!

Mohammad Assaleh (العسالة)

[brett]

Dear Almosters
Red Velvet 17/5/25
Saturday morning I set my alarm early as the night before it seemed the morning may be a foggy one. Leaving home at 530am I had plenty of spare time if I was going to encounter Fog on the road to Nahil. As it turned out the weather was very pleasant and only very very light fog in some areas, so there was no dreaded alert from AD Police that reduces the speed limit to 80kph. Needless to say I was early to reach the meeting point – but I was not first to arrive, that was @massaleh together with his son as passenger.
Thanks @optimus for posting the drive – and of course our founder and marshals @alshamsi_m , @Rashidjass and The General @Barish for stepping in and making sure the drive went ahead for the sand hungry Newbies.
I should start writing these reports earlier, as my short term memory is rather foggy these days (old age) so before I continue it should be noted “The General” WAS in attendance !
Due to the large number of Newbies the Marshals decided to split the convoy in 2. One led by @alshamsi_m with @Barish floating for guidance, intermediates @bobpavan @osman for support
I was part of the 2nd convoy lead by “The Goat” @Rashidjass with my Tissot twin @Paddy in second lead @Mghoneim mid convoy for support, @Ehab floating for guidance and myself positioned as sweeper (to ensure a nice relaxing drive for me) the bonus being we didn’t loose any Newbies.
The drive was an interesting spectacle from the sweeper view (following that very loud Raptor) from my position I was able to observe the Newbies and their sometimes very different approaches to the obstacles ahead – this resulted in quite a number of 2nd tries and refusals on climbs, some very suspect switches and one popout. My advise to the Newbies in general would be
- Radio Communication for instructions – not for broadcasting your favourite tunes
- Follow as much as possible the same track as the car in front – it’s the safest option
- Following distance
- Correct tire pressure for the conditions
- Momentum, without which you will never make the climb
- Gravity, if you fight it you will loose – every time !
And always focus, focus on the instructions being given by the Marshal and in this case the Advanced drivers – if they say 1st Gear Floor it ! do it. Once the drivers fully understood they can trust the advise most obstacles were cleared without incident
A brief stop at Nagra Dune for intermediates and @Ehab to play on the big dune with his passenger smiling from ear to ear after. And the opportunity for “The Goat” to climb the dune showing everyone exactly how to do it like a pro ! stopping high on the due to take a photo of the enthralled group waiting below.
We reached the end of the drive on schedule, inflated, said our good byes and headed home for the remainder of the weekend.
Looking forward to the drive next weekend

[Barish]

Hi everyone

It was one of the last mornings of the current season in Nahil.

Organizer was unable to attend and was time to support in his absence. Briefing was short and sweet by our founder Bu Salem. Convoy order, 2 line ups and another takeoff to deeps of Nahil ..!

We have experienced straight crests and some arches and members had a good training on how to manage momentum as well as driving distance. Singing dunes were the bonus for members; face impressions of some drivers were worth to see

All drivers did well and was another successful day of Almost 4x4 with the help of support team.

Dont forget; improvement is just a tool for your change.

See you next time.

Barish

[alshamsi_m]

Hello everyone

Doing two drives per day in summer is not an easy job but it's fun

We had a very nice drive in Nahel with two convoys and a small number of members to give a very good excierse of medium dunes. I had the pleasure to have @baritone support which gave me the freedom to try the members limits

While passing the power line I felt jealous because @Rashidjass was giving them harder time

But for the good of the members I decided to finish the drive at 10:30 instead of 11 because I noticed that some members lost their focus due to heat and lack of stamina.

We had a great day and that what all matters.

Till next time keep the sand flying

Cheers
Shqmsi