Almost4x4

As ever, I would like to start by thanking Organizers and Marshals for their efforts in ensuring a smooth trial for newbies this morning, especially considering that many marshals and Sr. members are busy at the Almost(er) Furious drive. The pre-drive brief by Abu Jimmy was very impressive and today’s theme was about convoy discipline:

• maintaining safe car-to-car distances,
• effective communications
• vision of the car ahead and the car in rear, and report if not in vision

(I am sure other drivers will add to the above, if I have missed out on any point.)
Drivers were assigned positions in the convoy, mine being #3 in the line-up led by Al Khatib. I must apologize to Solmaz (who was driving behind me) for my flag pole malfunction; and thanks to Duli, who came to my rescue by lending his suction cup. I thought the route was brilliantly designed for the newbies -5, with gentle side cresting and crossing over small dunes. 2 particularly thrilling moments stood out for me today; one was the climb up the pink rock; and the other was when Al Khatib lined up all the cars (after descent from the pink rock) and we did not know what was ahead of us. As it turned out, we had to build momentum in a small space, take a turn and do a steep climb up, which I believe everyone managed quite well – thanks Chief for the fun.
When I drove a little too fast ascending soft dunes, I got the punishment – flew a few times (remembered the oft repeated wise words: “better get stuck than fly”), but enjoyed it. I am slowly starting to understand the mechanics of off-road driving (speed control, steering control, correct cresting angles, and so on and so forth) and learning the first lessons in the newbie classroom of the great family school called Almost 4x4. I look forward to flying, ....rather getting stuck... and driving on similar tracks a few more time to further improve the skills.
Looking forward to reading interesting accounts of fellow newbie drivers, I sign off thanking them for keeping great company today, intermediate and advanced drivers for marshaling so well, Abu Jimmy and Al Khatib for the wonderfully smooth trial today.

Cheers,

Sridhar
Section : -5
Grade : Newbie
School : ALMOST 4x4
Location : In our Hearts

Hi All,
After a gap of fortnight was looking forward for this drive. Met all at Meeting Point. Abu jimmy briefed us and explain the point which sridhar highlighted.
Started sharped and rolled towards pink rock. Convoy was moving smoothly and then newbies got an opportunity to enhance there knowledge and upgrade their skills. They realised that they cannot fight gravity. After a few second try and some speedy recovery we moved ahead. Then members did realize that you have to maintain distance and keep an eye on vehicle behind you. Convoy reached base of pink rock and were ready for climb. Every one did a great job and floored to the TOP. Reached Pink rock and took a break. headed down through a rocky trail. Was quite exciting . moved as per schedule time to badayer.
Would like to thank Khatib,Zico,Abu Jimmy, Hamdan, Adnan , Musa , Omar , Hockey ,Senior Members and All Newbies present to make this drive so thrilling and successful.

Hi All,

Thank you to all the team for this relaxing ALMOST4x4 weekend filled with challenges and learning.
Thank you Marshals for your help during my assisted recovery and your valuable advices.

(In fact, at start point my tires pressure was 14 psi, after 20 min under heat, the air (gaz) inside tire extended and as result the pressure became 17 psi and that is how i stuck two times later on and did self recovery.
The self recovery was simple, as my car starts digging, I didn't insisted, I selected Low Gear (L4), Reverse and go backward until the rear tires start climbing a dune or being on a flattened sand, then stop, select H4 and go forward at higher speed (more momentum). So if we like to summarize, this situation was the result of bad combination between soft sand and hard tires > Digging.)

So after I got the advice to check my tires pressure I deflated to 12 psi. And here I enjoyed the drive and loved the Safari style zigzag at the end of trip.

Kind Regards to all,

A BIG THANK YOU to Abu Jimmy for organizing the 5- trip and all the marshals on this trip as well as all the family members who made this a successful drive.

This drive was limited to 8 cars. we were total of 13-15 cars in the convoy. This is where ALMOST 4x4 wins the hearts of their members. Always accommodating as much as they can *THANK YOU*:in love:

As the trip title states "Smooth Trail" the morning started with Abu Jimmy teaching us the disciplines of driving in a convoy. After that we all were assigned our positions in the convoy which was lead by Al Khatib with Abu Jimmy in sweep and all marshals were assigned positions within the convoy itself, which meant there was no marshals on the sides. It was just "one straight line of cars, which has to flow smooth like water" - as said by Abu Jimmy.

Off we went to our favorite part of every drive "Into the SANDS"

As mentioned in the drive invitation AL Khatib made sure we did that "Cross over different dunes in different ways".

The drive started going onto small dunes and after a little while we had to stop as some members had difficulties due to the pressure in tires. This was soon sorted out and we moved on. it was quite a fast drive with a lot of dunes which we were taken over in different ways and demanded a lot of concentration.

We moved on to pink rocks where each car was called by their numbers to climb to the top. Every member made it to the top successfully

Next was the interesting part - the other side of pink rocks.. we did a little more dunes and were taken to a nice and high climb which everyone made it up successfully again. Al Khatib then took us through some rocks at the pink rocks and then was a short break before we headed back to the roads.

The drive back was really fast moving with a lot of dunes and side slopings.

Finally, we made it to Badayer to mark the end of the trip:TT TT: I am sure... just like me the other members just wanted the drive to go on and not get over at this point.

Once again I would like to thank everyone for this drive.

ALMOST 4x4 always gives us more than our expectation every drive :like:

The pics will be uploaded shortly :playingsmiley:

Hoping for another exciting drive this coming weekend.... Time to stay awake and keep waiting for the next drive.

Tc and stay safe everyone

Pics:playingsmiley: of this drive uploaded https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 97d1069926

Enjoy

[quote=Duli;34160]Pics:playingsmiley: of this drive uploaded https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 97d1069926

Enjoy[/quote]

Thank you Duli very nice shots. Regards

After having been out of the sand for a month, it was great to able to make this trip.

I had a total brain fail and missed my chance to deflate, this caused a very embrassing start for myself and the held up the convoy:013:

While it was an easy drive, there were times where I felt uncomfortable with the speed that was being set, but that is obviously a confidence issue on my part. I think I am improving in other areas and focussing on keeping up kept my mind off other concerns. It's always great to climb Pink Rock and the drive around the back was great fun.

Thank you again Abu Jimmy and Al Khatib and everyone involved for a great drive