@ben-barber
Officer Cadet
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I’ll be coming along. Looking froward to getting back out in the desert, but I don’t think we can stay for the camp.
Sorry all, my flight was around 2hrs late getting back so couldn’t make it in time. Will keep trying though! It looked great.
Hope to be able to get there. Am working till 12 supposedly so will come straight over afterwards, if I finish on time.
Emphasis on the IF…
quote brianj:quote Ben Barber:Post drive:Well I enjoyed my second trip out with DO. A good location and some stunning scenery. We particularly enjoyed seeing all the camels! Definitely felt tested again this time, but learnt a lot about control, momentum and positioning on the dunes. Also when to use just enough power, and when to absolutely FLOOR IT!! Felt distinctly pushed towards the end when we met back up with the intermediate group and raced the sunset to Tawi Nazwa. My passenger and car survived to fight another day, with only one bent bumper and big smiles to show for it. 😀 Oh and a lot of sand inside the car…
My particular thanks to Brian for such a good lead, clear instructions over the radio, and good encouragement from both him & Duncan. Thanks also to Alex for some great convoy driving behind us and giving us space to have another shot at some trickier sections when I didn’t make it at the first (or second, or third!) attempts!
See you all next time!
Great to see you there Ben, it was good that we were able to take the level up a notch, sets the scene for the more …umm involved drives 😉
I have another friend who has Dune prepared his Fortuner especially in the area of bumpers, I’ll SMS you his contact, he used a garage, DAW , over near AL Khor that gives 10% discount to DO members.
That sounds great. I think it’s in need of a bit of ‘Dune Proofing’! Cheers Brian.
Post drive:
Well I enjoyed my second trip out with DO. A good location and some stunning scenery. We particularly enjoyed seeing all the camels! Definitely felt tested again this time, but learnt a lot about control, momentum and positioning on the dunes. Also when to use just enough power, and when to absolutely FLOOR IT!! Felt distinctly pushed towards the end when we met back up with the intermediate group and raced the sunset to Tawi Nazwa. My passenger and car survived to fight another day, with only one bent bumper and big smiles to show for it. 😀 Oh and a lot of sand inside the car…
My particular thanks to Brian for such a good lead, clear instructions over the radio, and good encouragement from both him & Duncan. Thanks also to Alex for some great convoy driving behind us and giving us space to have another shot at some trickier sections when I didn’t make it at the first (or second, or third!) attempts!
See you all next time!
Will do my best to be there. Looking forward to it. Thanks for organising Brian.
Sorry guys. Events have conspired against me and I’ll not get there in time today. Enjoy the drive anyway. Hope to get out again soon.
I’m in again! Going to try and make the most of these Fridays that I have off, whilst I have the chance.
See you all tomorrow!
Ben
Sorry guys, but just getting round to posting this now. It’s been a busy week already.
Firstly my thanks to everyone who organised and led the trip, and secondly to those who gave me advice, guidance or towed me off the top of a dune. (Brian you seemed to get everywhere at just the right time!)
For anyone considering getting involved for he first time; DO IT! I was brand new and had a ball. Things I learnt would be listen to the advice given. Concentrate on convoy spacing. Think about momentum and watch out if there has been 17 cars before you chewing up a particularly tricky section. Even the most experienced get stuck. Oh and get a radio!
Overall, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to get back out next time, when my schedule allows.
See you all in the sand!
NEWBIE ALERT!
Ok I’ve been convinced that I should just come along and have a go. Get some experience and see how it’s done. So I’m in. Off to go and try and find a radio on Dragon Mart! :thanks:
Thanks, I’ll give you a call some time Razik to discuss. Are you planning on going on the Friday ride?
For anyone that’s interested, after all of that discussion, I’ve ended up with the 4L fortuner. Still hoping to get out with you all to ride shotgun and see how it’s done before I tackle anything myself!
Thanks for all your help,
Ben
Thanks everyone. I’ll take all of your inputs on board and see what I can find. I’ll definitely be in touch with a few of you and hope to see you in the sand!
P.S. My father is a landrover fanatic and has owned 20 or so of them over the years, so always claims that they’re the best. That’s one of the reasons I was considering the LR3, but if no-one else seems to use them, maybe that says something too.
Thanks guys!
I suppose that I would also consider something like a Fortuner or Xterra, if anyone was to recommend either of those. I know I’m probably not looking at the ‘real, serious’ off roaders, but my budget is a bit limited, I’m new, and I want something I can park in a tight space in an underground car park!!
Any more thoughts from anyone?
2 great responses already! You guys are awesome, thanks. I’ll look into your suggestions more when I get a chance, but suffice to say budget is probably somewhere between 70&80k AED. (I have to buy a car for the wife as well so can’t go too crazy!) Thanks again, and I’m open to any more suggestions.
