Almost4x4

Hello everyone,

after more than a year we returned to famous Al Wagan

As it is a three hours drives from Dubai and the mornings are foggy, most of the drivers decided to camp the night before. I arrived at the camp at 9pm together with @kareem.alameldin we were starting the camp fire and Kareem went to set up his tent and never came back
As there was no reception in the area, I spent two hours alone staring at the fire... A very relaxing and calming evening, you should try this... The rest of the usual suspects arrived around 11.30, I went to sleep around midnight.
My newest camping gadget is a hot bottle, with this I could manage to sleep outside watching the beautiful nicht sky as this area is one of the darkest in UAE.
After the breakfast we left around 9.30 splitted in two convoys, I went with @Rashidjass as car number three, with @SameRaptoRed as second lead.
@alshamsi_m and @Solmaz were floating around, while @optimus and @Mabubaker joined to convoy at the back.

We started off with a good pace and @Rashidjass did his best to entertain the hungry intermediates behind him.
The area was very bushy so we had to leave some dunes as it was not possible to gain momentum between al the greenery.
Nevertheless we found some amazing crests and bowls to play with and it was simply amazing!
The adrenaline level was high and so was the fun, windows open, sand splashing and pedal to the metal!
The most challenging part was not the sharp crests, the soft sand or the high climbs, it was the bushes... After cresting over we had to decide quickly when to turn down in order not to hit a bush or even a tree. It was therefore crucial to stay absolutley focused all the time.
At one point half of the convoy got trapped in a nasty bowl full of bushes.
In order to get out, we had to make a 360 degree round, trying to get as high as possible to reach the exit point.
There was almost no way not to hit a bush while doing so, you just had to choose wisely which bush you wanna hit and with what car part
I took a while, but all of us made it out at the end...I am still surpised that no one lost a tyre in this drive.
At around we reached the famous stadium where the other convoy was already having some lunch and playtime.
We entered the stadium one by one. When you enter you basically see nothing. Its so huge and while driving in it you basically just see a wall of sand. I heard @Booy saying something on the radio, but I could not hear anything with windows open and hitting the limiter.
What he wanted to tell me is to shift to second gear to gain more speed which would have allowed me to stay higher up in the bowl...
During the lunch break I started to feel tired and noticed some headache, but I was still motivated and stayed with the convoy while some people already left...
The headache just got worse quickly and I had to call for a break. I continued for a while, but I could not focuse anymore and my vision was compromised too. So I started to fall off almost every single crest. I was trying to push myself as I wanted to finish the drive, especially as we reached some nice dunes, but I could not continue in this condition
@Solmaz escorted me out around 3pm.
I was really on my way back, because I did not had this feeling of happines and satisfaction after a full day of sandaction.
I am a competetive person with high expectations towards myself, quitting something is a hard thing for me to do, but in order to play this game safe we need to know our limits

But nevertheless, the morning was exceptional great, thank you @Rashidjass for this super drive!

Have fantastic week ahead everyone and see you soon in the sand

Halo every one .
Decided to do the camping instead of going morning to be ready for the drive ( @Rashidjass is the leader ).
Reached and found @Johanna waiting alone after kareem left her
We spend beautiful time with @Rashidjass @Mabubakr discussing the tricks of the drive for next day .
Thanks for @Rashidjass to put me as second lead , we start the first half of the drive with a lot of trials to find dunes with no bushes .
We Met @Booy convoy for lunch , we met and share lunch with others special thanks for @presa to remind me for filling gas .
The next half was better dunes , the level of enjoyment gone up with @Solmaz @alshamsi_m floating and supporting .
Never forgetting the trick bowl we enter and spend a lot of time to go out @Jasper did it finally
Personally , was great drive good experience with all skilled drivers around you , perfect and experienced marshals guiding , of course welcoming and great members in this family .
Thank you all specially @Rashidjass and @alshamsi_m for ur supports, will never forgot this drive Ever .
See you .

Hello, my fellow Almosters

Before I start narrating my experience of Al Wagan Freestyler III as a Newbie, let me explain why I joined the club. Firstly I am an avid traveler, secondly I needed a good escape from pressures and stresses of my professional life. Since, joining the club I have found it to be a very nice hobby which gives me a chance to let the steam out; which builds over the week. By default I am an OCD, so obviously develop a lot of anxiety and stress. After the rides, I feel light, excited and motivated to work.

I recently joined the club, and with childish excitement look towards the weekend to attend the drive, go in the open, have some fun, meet people and see parts of UAE which I have not seen or experienced before. After attending last newbie drive, I was quiet dejected to discover that there is no drive for newbies at weekend falling on 22/ 23rd Jan. Obviously, that was not a good news for me, however after receiving a very sound advice (won't disclose the name); I posted a PM on the chat box, that if some intermediate would like to take me to the drive on 24th as second seater. I eagerly started waiting for a positive reply, however unfortunately it didn't arrive. On 23rd a lot of PMs were exchanged, that exhibited build up of excitement, members gearing up for camping and looking forward to a challenging day. Now this motivated me give it one more try, and I started making childish tantrums on the chatbot to get some attention and invite.

Amazingly it worked, @presa heart melted and he asked me to accompany him to the drive. I felt a sudden rush of excitement, and could think of nothing (was still in office); just grabbed my car keys and went for DPI test. Packed up my basic stuff, some eatables, and at 3am left my home at Ajman for Abu Dhabi where I was suppose to linkup with @presa . You can imagine my state of mind, that I reached Abu Dhabi while poor @presa was still in bed. To cut the story short, we setoff from AD around 6am.
Thanks God, it wasn't a foggy day, however the drive to the RV was smooth and peaceful.

@presa , suggested to take the direct route, so left the road and came on to sands. This was the time, when things started becoming more visible, as I could see steep lofty sand dunes in front. Anyways, we reached the meeting point, and to my pleasant surprise, the participants (intermediates, crew and marshals) were already seated around a fire pit, and having a pleasant chat about the day. I introduced my self, as the sidekick for the day to @presa , and was welcomed by all with open hearts and soon the ride started.

Now, this is the part, that I never imagined to experience as a newbie. While @Booy was briefing, i said to myself "Yeah Yeah, its the same. @Booy will now take out some toy cars make a model and explain", however nothing of this sort happened. Briefing was "There are three high dune ranges separated by flat areas, Lets have fun". Two groups of intermediates were made 10-, and 10+ and immediately left.

Sitting confidently with @presa , and thinking of knowing what is about to come. However, nothing of sorts happened. MAN...! &*(# blew up in my face, and reality hit me, when I realized something is not right, the speed is much higher, my heart often skips few beats, also heart is not at its right place, i could feel it somewhat lower. I could feel rush of adrenalin through my body, which I have not experienced in my newbie drives. Nothing was same, speed, geography of area, challenges it posed, highs and lows to overcomes, cresting, and negotiating the ridges. Topography of the area was hostile, unpredictable and unforgiving.

However, all was not bad, firstly the area was beautiful with all its ruggedness. secondly each and every participant was ready and one can read from their body language that they are here to overcome and show the nature, that they mean business. The participants/ intermediates performed as expected (although I am wrong to judge), they followed marshals bravely and not once did I see anybody scared or anxious. I think it speaks high of the training and experience imparted by the club. Just to explain the excitement, my Apple Watch, congratulated at least three times on that particular day for having an excellent cardio, and I met all my physical exercise targets while sitting in @presa 's FJ.

As explained above, each series of dunes was tougher and exciting than the other. Around midday, there was a lunch break in the area called STADIUM, where the participants not only had their lunch, but also had some fun driving on the walls of stadium at speeds over 120 km/hr.

After an hour's break, the drive resumed, however this time it was more faster, bolder, and exciting. obvious difference was felt in the rhythm of drive which felt missing in the first half. @booy explained to everybody before setting off that beware of fatigue and mistakes, however the result was contrary. Intermediates, were more energetic, more confident and far more bolder. There were some recoveries (which I eagerly participated), however there were no major incidents. The drive ended at around 5pm, all participants inflated their tires, had a small chit chat and said goodbye and left.

Now the conclusion, I was highly impressed by level of expertise of Marshals, their dedication to the hobby, club and their trainees. I saw how Marshals were not ready to leave anybody behind, how they rushed to help anybody in need and do what ever which can be done to make the drive enjoyable and adventurous. The same can be said about the participants and the team spirit amongst them. The true spirit of a group can be seen intimes of need and challenge and let me tell you, I don't have an iota of doubt that it was not there.

Lastly, I would like to especially thank @presa , who graciously extended me the invite and made my day. He is a genuine gentleman, who kept asking me throughout the day about how I was feeling, if I am ok. And proved himself to be a great mentor, by teaching and briefing me through out the drive how to tackle the obstacles. I think in him I have found a great mentor and a friend.

Please forgive me if I don't mention some names, as I am new to the club and still don't know all the name, but special thanks to @Shamsi , @Booy and all the intermediates that participated in drive; for welcoming me and making my day a memorable one. I realized, intermediates had lot to tackle and it was their time to enjoy and experience new heights; i would have spoiled their fun and added pressure. Its good that no intermediate invited me, a sound decision at their end.

Love you guys. A big hug and thank you again
@jeepers76

PS: sorry for a long post, but this trip deserves a long narration.
Apologies for grammatical mistakes as, its late and not reviewing before submission.

Good morning Almosters!

Great reports from @Johanna , @SameRaptoRed and my passenger @jeepers76 !!

As mentioned before this was a full day very nice drive! Before this drive, only in Liwa I fill my 160l tank and return home with no petrol... this time was different. I reach home, around 200km from driving area, with the petrol light on... meaning 500km for 160liters, being 400km on the tarmac...

Firstly I wanna thank specially for @Rashidjass for organizing this trip and leading convoy 1, and @Booy for leading convoy 2. There is a lot of work and effort from the organizers and leading car for every drive at Almost, so the drivers can enjoy it at most!

We mentioned before that Intermediate level in Almost is already an achievement, since you have to do 20+ drives with the Club, be able to safely drive at a certain pace and master a few skills. Not everyone is willing to commit and this point, what is totally fine! But for those that reach it... the bar is usually higher than most expect... we accept and encourage our newbies to be a passenger in an intermediate drive so they know and understand what is about to come.

I had a GREAT passenger on this drive: @jeepers76 accept to be my co-pilot (more than just a passenger) and we had a great time! I had some commitments with family the night before, so only joined the drive in the morning. We meet around 5h30, but I had to return home to collect my fresh brew coffee, that I forgot over the table

After it we came from AD by Milkway Spot, considered the darkest place in AD - let me know if you wanna a camping and drive on this area - to reach South of Al Wagan by 8h in the morning. As mentioned we decided not to use the easy track for the camping, that would take around 20km, but to shortcut by the desert, crossing 5-6km of high dunes.

The drive was very nice, we covered just above 100km, most of the time between 4.5-6k rpm on what can be considered a high speed drive!

I was with @Booy leading convoy 2, with @Scorpio, @Abu Odai , @Yazan Ali and @kareem.alameldin , as support. The drivers were @Alexandre , @Bu Touma, @David and @Rathica.

The beginning of the drive was on a less than expected pace, with many 2nd tries, although the Leader was not pushing. Some drivers seems rusted and the soft sand, sharp crest and many many bushes were keeping the pace below expectations. After about 1h the convoy got a better rhythm and we were able to get some nice combinations of bowl, side crest, bowl, ride the wall, side crest and repeat :)

This time of the year the weather is , so Jeeps dont overheat.... they give problems in other ways, like clocked air filters, and others
Jokes apart the intermediates were all riding Jeeps, while the advances and Marshals were all with FJ and the beautiful x-terra from @Abu Odai .

At 13h30 we reach Stadium Bowl, where you can play at 120kph riding the wall of it... not for the weak hearts...

We stop at it for lunch and I was being well cared by my passenger... lunch with salad as entrance, main course, fruit salad as desert and a variety of drinks... by far the best passenger I have every had

Some drivers decided to go home after lunch and keep with a smaller convoy for the afternoon fun. Maybe because of lunch or the smaller convoy, the pace was better on afternoon and we left no untouched crest on the way to exit point. @kareem.alameldin is keeping his legacy by loosing one tire every drive, but with the training from two weeks earlier, the tire was changed in no time...

We reach exit point a few minutes before sunset and two jeeps were worried about fuel levels, since they filled additional 40l but they were with the fuel light on... nothing different from a good intermediate drive :)

Next week we have two newbie drives with a advance drive on the same day. So support for the newbie drive will be highly appreciate from the intermediates.

Drive started Weds afternoon, packed Mina Rashid testing centre so decided to go to Ajman instead, also busy, DPI positive so PCR straight away, 24/48h for the results!!???, please please please I do not want to miss this drive. Did not sleep well and since results not received in the morning I decided to go for a 2nd PCR to American Hospital hoping that something would happen.

I did not want to have to drive in the morning, did not fancy driving in the fog so Thursday was spent jumping off every time my phone biped, pizza offer, no, car loan, no, new Du package, no, a watch????, NO!!!!, I just want my PCR results!!!, I ended up following Yashin Mahmoud advice, called American Hospital and explained that I had to travel that same night urgently, very helpful lady, she said she would see what she could do so I did not miss my flight … at that point I decided not to explain any further.

SMS came close to 8PM, quickly packed and off I went, 2nd result (SEHA) came just before crossing the border. Reached Al Wagan petrol station, Rashid, Bu Touma, Jasper, Rooies and Scorpio also there so Rashid lead us to the camp. Chitchatted for little time and went quickly off to sleep, It had been a stressful day and I wanted to be fresh and ready for the drive. Woke up 15min before alarm went off, I could have done with a bit more sleep, another reminder, next time I will try to “do a Kareem”.

Rashid gave the instructions, himself with Al Shamsi and Solmaz with the +10, Booy leading the -10 with Scorpio and Presa as support.

Lets start thanking, 1st of all to Rashid for organizing the drive and taking the -10 to Al Wagan, Al Shamsi and Solmaz for joining so the 4 -10Interm had 3 full Marshalls for themselves in the other convoy.

Convoy of 10, 3 Marshalls, 3 Advanced and 4 Interm, I could not have asked for a better combination, Booy leading, Abu Oday as 2nd lead, Interm, Advanced and the 2 remaining Marshalls. Booy made it very clear, these are very unforgiving dunes, little mistake and you pay for it, he could not be any more accurate, you need the right speed, correct line and full attention otherwise you will not make it. The challenge hits you straight away, I would normally have some “margin of error” to correct mistakes, reaching the crest easily, not here, you need every single horse power, to enter in the right line, to avoid the bumps and bushes on approach, not to hesitate for a second and to hope the tyres hold on properly to make it to the other end of the crest, I thought it was just fantastic, challenging but amazing and personally I felt safe at all times.

A lot learnt in the morning drive, I was not expecting it but it seems my tyres do not hold on when on the sides of the crests as well as others, I could see how I would start losing a bit of grip not being able to sustain the line I wanted, main morning challenge was to adapt to this new situation to me.

Second main challenge the bushes, they are everywhere, after cresting the most important decision is to find “a way down” that is as free of vegetation as possible. More obstacles, yes, Booy stopped in a crest and called for everyone to also stop, I wonder what could be on the other side … camels … as if it was not difficult enough do we need to also add moving camels to the mix???

Lunch time was approaching, great bowl, sidecrest and you enter this “something”, 1st gear full throttle, 2nd gear also full, time passes … your are still inside that thing, looked at the speedometer, 94 and going up, WTF???, I managed to see ahead, we are sidecresting again on the way out, no way at this speed, release the throttle until the point where the car would take 1st again, full throttle and out on the crest, first thoughts, what in hell was that???, second thought, I hope we go back IN!!!, welcome to the “Almost stadium”. Time for lunch and to play in the bowl. +10 joined us soon afterwards, best picnic spot ever.

After lunch I refuelled and noticed my flag lose, went to check and the thread had gone, Mr. Marshall, sorry but no flag for me any more … I knew the answer, back to the end of the convoy, what I was not expecting was the warning, you will struggle there with your tyres … Al Shamsi uses to say that at the front of the convoy you learn and at the end you survive, I disagree, I think it is also important to learn how to survive so I was quite happy with my new position.

Some drivers left after lunch so our convoy got smaller, Booy still leading, Kareem as 2nd lead (what an impressive job he did on one unmatching underperforming tyre), Bu Touma, Rathica, myself and the 2 closing Marshalls.

If the morning drive had been amazing the afternoon section was even better, I do not honestly know how to describe it, time to thank again, this time to Booy for the best drive of my life, honestly the most fun I have had since Covid started, I know (and hope) that even better drives will come (any volunteering Marshall please???) but as the score stands that “title” is at the moment to Booy’s lead.

The combination of bowls and sidecrests was just incredible, I think that I spent 60% of the afternoon time on first gear full throttle, personally I felt I was driving better and with more ease than in the morning, big smile on my face all the way, trying and discovering new things all the time, in one amazing sequence of bowls I find myself going down in one crest and I see the cars ahead dropping to the sides, instinctive reaction, first gear again and floor it!!!, it felt so good and so right, made it nicely to the next bowl.

All good things come to an end, I was having the most fun of the day but the sun was going down and, most importantly, fuel indicator started flashing, what???, another lesson, when the Marshall says 2x20L jerry can for my combo car&driver that means 3x20L. Eco-mode driving seems not to be working well in Al Wagan for some reason.

Final words to the 2 other Marshalls in our convoy, Presa and Scorpio. My personal opinion, Marshalls with so much knowledge and skills as the ones we have in the Almost family like to lead, that is what they surely have to enjoy the most, I am sure that Booy had more fun than they did being at the back at the convoy, giving instructions, assisting when needed, re/joining the convoy if someone lost, … thank you so much guys for everything, without you drives like this would never be possible.

See you on the sand (hopefully soon and if possible again in “big dunes”!!!)

Great Reports guys!

You made us feel like we were there

Hello everyone,

My drive started the same way as @David - DPI test failed on Wednesday evening, PCR taken immediately at the testing site and now the wait... We had Plan B ready for in case I'd not be able to make it to lead one convoy. At 10pm Thursday night, the negative PCR result came through, and I went to sleep in my comfy bed - getting ready to leave Dubai early to join the others in the morning in Al Wagan.

I love this region of the UAE desert because of the high, challenging dunes. This is where you get to put all your acquired skills into action. It's a pity about all the bushes making for some challenging driving. I was picturing the lines on those dunes without the bushes, and that would have taken the drive to a whole new level :) An added note - well done to everyone for not having one single pop out the entire day. Those bushes were just ready to grab any tyre and pull it off the rim. @kareem.alameldin tyre cut does not count - it's an FJ thing :)

I saw the energy levels drop with the fuel levels toward the end of the drive, and decided to make a short cut back to the gravel road, which lead us out to the main road. We were having so much fun that I did not want the day to end - we pushed till the last minute of available day light hours.

Get ready for Umm Al Oush...

Till next time in the sand.

Regards,

Booy

Hello Everyone

While driving to Al Waggan I was thinking “The marshals lost their minds, two consecutive drives in this area ?!!!” I believe they are super nice to give all our higher members the chance to see these dunes and no leaving anyone behind.

While driving in the dark to the camping site, I made a wrong turn which would result of having my car dusty , I was going back to see a big convoy with off-road cars. I said in my mind “$h&%t they are going ahead of me !!! “ Knowledge is power” since I know the area, I passed the deflating cars to zoom in the dark away from them what I know that they don’t know “ You don’t need to deflate to the camp site” unless you fall in the V ditch close to camp
The night was cold for me and I was shriveling in my sleep bag the whole night to find out everyone where complaining it was not a cold night like before

I was lucky to have the option to choose which convoy to join but it was a hard decision which one??? At the end I decided to let go of @Booy this time and I’m sure his buddies @presa & @Scorpio are going to take good care of the convoy. So @Solmaz and I went with @Rashidjass where he took us through chain from one side wall to the other until we reached the other convoy at the afternoon to see the others are having a blast like our share

I had to pull out, before the end to say goodbye for the convoy and these majestic dunes to drive back home although there is a part of me that doesn’t want to leave. But we all know that “Good Times fly like fruit “

See you more in Liwa versions
Shamsi

First, great reports of everyone above! Apparently this drive was so exciting that deserved a lot of words, and it doesn't give me much to add.

On Thursday I went to take the DPI test for the drive day and then the PCR test for my Sunday flight. Ajman centers were too crowded so I spent over 5 hours to get both . Fortunately the DPI was OK, so after completing all the stalled work of all the day I hit the road in the night. When I was reaching the camping place, I blessed the timing - the half moon was perfectly horizontal and setting down straight ahead of my nose, getting red before disappearing. And when I reached the camp fire with @Rashidjass, @David, @Mabubaker and @SameRaptoRed, I could enjoy the brightly shining stars, a view I missed for too long!

Soon I went to sleep at the back seats of my Jeep, cursing all night my laziness not to take the camping bed - I could both stretch my legs and enjoy the stars show.

The drive next day was challenging due to the bushes all around, even though Rashid didn't stretch us too much - for the same reason. There were not many second tries. Except one moment when we got trapped in the bushy bowl. The walls were too high to attack them by a straight climb, and for spiralling there was no clear path to gain the escape velocity. We all struggled but finally each of us found their own way out, different by each driver's and their car's characteristics :)

Finally we reached the famous Stadium bowl, and after the lunch break I took the opportunity to call it a day and left with a few cars early as I was planning an early morning hike with my wife in RAK on the next day.

Thank you @Rashidjass for the organization and leading our convoy, @Solmaz and @alshamsi_m for keeping an eye on us, and @Mabubaker and @optimus to cover our backs. I am looking for getting back to Al Wagan soon. Maybe the All Lead ?

First, great reports of everyone above! Apparently this drive was so exciting that deserved a lot of words, and it doesn't give me much to add.

On Thursday I went to take the DPI test for the drive day and then the PCR test for my Sunday flight. Ajman centers were too crowded so I spent over 5 hours to get both . Fortunately the DPI was OK, so after completing all the stalled work of all the day I hit the road in the night. When I was reaching the camping place, I blessed the timing - the half moon was perfectly horizontal and setting down straight ahead of my nose, getting red before disappearing. And when I reached the camp fire with @Rashidjass, @David, @Mabubaker and @SameRaptoRed, I could enjoy the brightly shining stars, a view I missed for too long!

Soon I went to sleep at the back seats of my Jeep, cursing all night my laziness not to take the camping bed - I could both stretch my legs and enjoy the stars show.

The drive next day was challenging due to the bushes all around, even though Rashid didn't stretch us too much - for the same reason. There were not many second tries. Except one moment when we got trapped in the bushy bowl. The walls were too high to attack them by a straight climb, and for spiralling there was no clear path to gain the escape velocity. We all struggled but finally each of us found their own way out, different by each driver's and their car's characteristics :)

Finally we reached the famous Stadium bowl, and after the lunch break I took the opportunity to call it a day and left with a few cars early as I was planning an early morning hike with my wife in RAK on the next day.

Thank you @Rashidjass for the organization and leading our convoy, @Solmaz and @alshamsi_m for keeping an eye on us, and @Mabubaker and @optimus to cover our backs. I am looking for getting back to Al Wagan soon. Maybe the All Lead ?