Challenging...

[difflock]

Let's see...what would be the most challenging straight line, that would be about 100 kilometers long in dune driving. If you have any idea to suggest in order to set up a challenge, indicate the starting waypoint and the finishing way point. I have been driving a lot in the UAE desert, north, south, east and west but did not find any interesting and challenging area. To get a kick and a challenge out of my off-road driving, I have to drive at night....
P.S.: I'm not the only one, a friend of mine feels the same...so that makes two of us looking for a challenge.

[Fouad Berjaoui]

Well, I can tell you from my personal experience, there is no challenging routes in the UAE. But this is me talking. For example : Al Quaa is a walk in the park while to others, it's a "Tough" trip.


So it all depends on your level of expertise. If you want to define "Challenge" in the UAE, I think it's not about terrain, as much as it is about Endurance.

I have spent 5 continious days in the Liwa desert and found nothing challenging, we were running out of food and fuel rather than finding a tough dune to climb

So let's find an Endurance Route rather than a "Challenge" I would go for that and would like to put my Blazer ZR2 up against your Jeep heheh , not the Dhabi of course.

Fouad

[Charles]

The two of you talk about challenging and endurance like nothing. Well, I have a challenge for you that will test your endurance, put together a course to teach others how to over come various challenges on a over night/weekend "beginners endurance learning challenge". And to make it even more exciting, you two can challenge each other to see whose students learned the most and improved the best.

Now why am I bringing this up? I lived here for almost two years before a single person "taught" me how to drive in the desert and there are no courses that you can take that I have seen. (then again haven't put that much effort into looking.) Yes, I have read the tip here but please. What I'm talking about is a course limit to X vehicles, with some basic reading material, simple amateur video, and then some off road training by you experienced people.

So... Do you have the endurance to train a few good people and up to the challenge to see whose students really learned from the trip?

Eagerly Awaiting Your Response,
Charles

[alissar]

I'm game to be a guinea pig for either one of you to train...I would be a real challenge when it comes to that...tougher and more stubborn than any dune encountered!!!

[difflock]

Charles and Alissar,

Sorry for my late reply. I would love to hit the dunes with you. Whatever we are, beginners or experts, we always have something to learn from each other What cars are you driving ? what equipment or options do they have ?

[difflock]

Let me suggest a challenging trip....Starting point is Hameen fuel station, from there, straight east till 55Degree latitude. Then, straight north to the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain truck road (about 150 km). Any body ? The goal is not to deviate from the 55th.....

[Fouad Berjaoui]

Difflock,

This is a very challenging trip for members, I know what's involved, but most members do not realized there are plenty of preparations involved for such a trip.

Biggest concern is fuel and members may get too stuck in one single day that they will never finish the 150 K on time, so sleepovers might be involved and people may be skattered along the 150 K.

I think such a challenge should be restricted to highly skilled members and highly modified vehicles only.

I am all for it, it would make a good article for the magazine

Fouad

[husain]

Hi all,
So, what's so challenging about?!! it's long?!!! that's all?!!

[difflock]

Hey Fouad,

Several comments to take into consideration:
- Al Dhabi will be part of the trip and has a 300l fuel tank on board + its own fuel.
- It has also a 12000lbs winch
- My new Nissan Patrol with also 12000lbs winch is part of the trip.
-The line is about 30 km away from the Abu Dhabi - Hameem asphalted road and after about 20 kilometer going north, it is 10 kilometers away from a brand new asphalted road, so if things go out of hand, it is always possible to cut it short.
- Beginner members should not come because we will take the dunes from the "bad" side. I suggest we organize a special for the new comers in 4x4 by taking it from north to south = on the easy side of the dunes, any time during October.
- We could sleep over but I suggest to meet very early at the station, not later than 8:00 am and I think it would be fine.

[Fouad Berjaoui]

I will take these into consideration, Myabe your Patrol and Dhabi can act as sweep vehicles (front and rear)

However, are you sure about the distances to the AUH-Hameem highway ? from Hameem petrol station to the 55th parallel it's 72 KM and up north between the the same highway and 55th it's around 59 Km, how did you measure 30 Km ?

Even the hunting patrol lodge (if you know it) is 56 Km straight from the auh-hameem highway and 80 Km on track. The hunting patrol lodge is only 8 Km west of the 55th.

Been to that area many times, re-check your points. Maybe you used miles instead of Km

Fouad

[Charles]

Ok guys, this is starting to go in the right direction but remember this is a training course to teach not just a challenge to see who can tough it out. So what ever course you choose, people should be at the tougher check points to teach everyone how to over come them. ie. A steep hill with look sand and gravel, with a manual you would put it in high but start in 2nd gear (just a sample, probably wrong so don't start a debate over the sample). And with each check point an information sheet will be handed out for future reference for the beginning.

Remember, to help grow the club we but help the members and having beginning, novice, and expert training "classes" will only encourage more to talk and more members.

Let look at meeting somewhere and talking about this. I am a new member and don't even know if there is a club meeting place or club house, so I am relying on you guys for guidance.

Regards,
Charles

[Fouad Berjaoui]

No worries Charles, Difflock and I will plan it according to beginner skills.

Fouad

[alissar]

Hey Fouad,

That would be cool. Hope that I would be able to join the trip. For some reason, things are getting really hectic for me lately and most Fridays are taken up. Anyways, I hope to join, I've got my fingers crossed.

[Prasad]

I missed the 55th parrallel due to work. But on the topic of off road driving sessions, I have been thinking of taking up the one day courses offered by some tour guys (desert challenges etc ). These cost around 400 - 500/= dhs.

It would be more fun if the experienced members of the club could have a go at this. All my driving experience has been by trial and error plus what I have read in books. I would love to learn the ropes of driving (& recovery ) from experienced people like some of you guys.

Any takers?

Prasad.

[difflock]

I think that Fouad = the club, should organize a day out with beginners. I do not see the point of a club member to spend 500 dhs....I would be more than glad to spend a whole day out, sharing what I know with others, but for this month, because of the Desert Challenge, it is not possible...in November, any week end is possible..

Difflock