Gulf News Fun Drive: Ride Umm Al Quwain dunes with us

This is one of the slopes many fun drivers found quite challenging. The vehicles were sputtering to climb up but gravity and loose sand pulled them down. After several attempts, some succeeded but others simply gave up and took an alternative route. And we in press car three got a good coating of shifting sand over our faces on a foundation of sun screen. By the way, our vehicle too got stuck twice and needed help to be pulled out. Tony refused to deflate the tyres but yielded to my protest and no we are driving with tyre pressure much lower than the earlier 28psi.

Gulf News Fun Drive: Dune-bashers gear up for action and fun

Sunny weather out here at 21 degrees. After an agonisingly bumpy ride through the route messed up by vehicles ahead of us we've cleared section two. This beautiful farm is in the vicinity of second checkpoint.  The bull was apparently not happy to see us and started snorting. After a frugal breakfast early in the morning, Jaye's offer of seedless grapes was irresistible.

Can you believe this is in middle of the desert? People are stopping by to enjoy the scenery.

Camels seem amused with so many four-wheel drives in their terrain in Umm Al Quwain.

Jaye spotted this tree named after Tom as a guide to 4×4 drivers and started filming. Then we noticed a participant's bumber, which came off. That's just the beginning, I guess.

It's just the beginning of the 209.5km drive and the morning chill has given way to a warm day. But the reading in the  shows it's 14degree outside. Tony the driver of our press car, photographers Zarina Fernandes, Jaye Lentin and I are still wearing our jackets. And the drive is getting exciting with some cars exploring the green expanse of the desert on UAQ.

The weather is pleasant here at Emirates Motorplex in UAQ at 13 degrees C. The dark skies are giving way to early signs of morning light. Participants have queued up to collect their food coupons and goodie bags.