Discussion
Be great to hear other stories - here's mine:
There is a wonderful road in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi running from the town of Liwa to Tal Mo'reb (or "Moreeb Dune"), deep in the Empty Quarter. Some of you may know it from Top Gear a few years back. I appreciate it's further afield than many favourite driving roads, but if you are ever in the UAE it's a must. 25km or so of tight dune climbs and falls and long straights across salt flats running off brilliant sweeping corners. The scenery is breathtaking. And there are no trees to hit. On the right day the destination itself is a motorsport treat - the Liwa Festival runs 4x4 drag races straight up the face of the dune. I've been up it in the back of a Nissan Parol on rocket fuel - say what you like, it's terrifying. Other than that, it's a dead end - a quick swing on the roundabout and you're back out through the desert again.
In March 2015 I put a speculative deposit down on a car I never thought I'd get - and if I did, how no idea how I would pay for. She arrived in Dubai a month or so ago and - a few organs and a limb lighter - I picked her up on Saturday morning. It was a fun experience - the dealer let me help with the preparation work on the weekends so I have seen her from the state she arrived in to the over-polished ornament she was on collection day.
I've never collected a new car before. Nervous doesn't cover it. Reputation alone told me my capabilities would end long before hers did. A common problem in my experience. Eventually I found my inner granny and pootled down to Abu Dhabi (which is probably a similar distance as Leeds (legends) to Manchester (plebs)), before turning onto the 200km straight-as-an-arrow highway leading to Liwa. There is a curious little car museum housed in a tin pyramid not so long along the road - Clarkson drove the World's largest car (a Dodge Power Wagon) here in the early 90s.
What a road. Endless. Cornerless. Carless. The granny shrank, the balls grew.
And then to Moreeb. Empty. Stunning. Unforgiving. I must have gone up and down that road fifteen times. I'm no Senna, but by god did I have fun. 900km in 8 hours. Possibly the best in my life. The car can speak for herself.
http://enam.ae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8GdadQzMeo
There is a wonderful road in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi running from the town of Liwa to Tal Mo'reb (or "Moreeb Dune"), deep in the Empty Quarter. Some of you may know it from Top Gear a few years back. I appreciate it's further afield than many favourite driving roads, but if you are ever in the UAE it's a must. 25km or so of tight dune climbs and falls and long straights across salt flats running off brilliant sweeping corners. The scenery is breathtaking. And there are no trees to hit. On the right day the destination itself is a motorsport treat - the Liwa Festival runs 4x4 drag races straight up the face of the dune. I've been up it in the back of a Nissan Parol on rocket fuel - say what you like, it's terrifying. Other than that, it's a dead end - a quick swing on the roundabout and you're back out through the desert again.
In March 2015 I put a speculative deposit down on a car I never thought I'd get - and if I did, how no idea how I would pay for. She arrived in Dubai a month or so ago and - a few organs and a limb lighter - I picked her up on Saturday morning. It was a fun experience - the dealer let me help with the preparation work on the weekends so I have seen her from the state she arrived in to the over-polished ornament she was on collection day.
I've never collected a new car before. Nervous doesn't cover it. Reputation alone told me my capabilities would end long before hers did. A common problem in my experience. Eventually I found my inner granny and pootled down to Abu Dhabi (which is probably a similar distance as Leeds (legends) to Manchester (plebs)), before turning onto the 200km straight-as-an-arrow highway leading to Liwa. There is a curious little car museum housed in a tin pyramid not so long along the road - Clarkson drove the World's largest car (a Dodge Power Wagon) here in the early 90s.
What a road. Endless. Cornerless. Carless. The granny shrank, the balls grew.
And then to Moreeb. Empty. Stunning. Unforgiving. I must have gone up and down that road fifteen times. I'm no Senna, but by god did I have fun. 900km in 8 hours. Possibly the best in my life. The car can speak for herself.
http://enam.ae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8GdadQzMeo
Edited by 72911 on Monday 5th September 08:42
Looks great. All good and well as long as there's no camels wandering about. IIRC, when I visited my mate in Oman and drove through UAE, I was told to look out for them and, sure enough, they were there. He said if you hit one, they nearly always turn out to be (for insurance purposes) the owner's 'best' racing camel. 
Disconcerting driving with sand blowing across the carriageway. Keep your air filter serviced regularly!
Why do they bother to 'fence' off the sand though? Surely expensive and causes more damage if you have an off?
Disconcerting driving with sand blowing across the carriageway. Keep your air filter serviced regularly!
Why do they bother to 'fence' off the sand though? Surely expensive and causes more damage if you have an off?
Digga said:
Looks great. All good and well as long as there's no camels wandering about. IIRC, when I visited my mate in Oman and drove through UAE, I was told to look out for them and, sure enough, they were there. He said if you hit one, they nearly always turn out to be (for insurance purposes) the owner's 'best' racing camel.
Disconcerting driving with sand blowing across the carriageway. Keep your air filter serviced regularly!
Why do they bother to 'fence' off the sand though? Surely expensive and causes more damage if you have an off?
Just guessing but they indicate approximately where the road is for those sections if they get completely covered in sandDisconcerting driving with sand blowing across the carriageway. Keep your air filter serviced regularly!
Why do they bother to 'fence' off the sand though? Surely expensive and causes more damage if you have an off?
Thanks guys - if you're ever out do get in touch and you will be welcome to take her for a run.
I think the barriers are meant to stop sand blowing into the road - not that they do. They're just a pain in the neck - I'd rather dig myself into a dune than smack into one of those.
Yes, camels can be a real issue!
I think the barriers are meant to stop sand blowing into the road - not that they do. They're just a pain in the neck - I'd rather dig myself into a dune than smack into one of those.
Yes, camels can be a real issue!
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