It was a warm Friday afternoon and as my wife prepared our picnic basket with a few Emirati favourites, my daughters, Maryam and Maitha packed their little rucksacks with knick-knacks for the ride. With just a few hours to go before we embarked on our 300 kilometre road trip, I began loading our Land Cruiser with tents, firewood and all else that had made it to the final checklist.
We’d been planning a getaway with my wife’s cousin Ahmad and his family for a while now, and with the long weekend upon us, we decided to make the most of it and venture off to our neighbouring Emirate. I pulled out my map one last time and ensured that I’d picked the most scenic route from our home in Al Mamzar to the UAE’s Grand Canyon: Jabal Al Jais in Ras Al Khaimah.
With the kids in charge of the stereo, we set off towards Al Dhaid and cut across onto Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road before pulling in to Sharjah’s Golf and Shooting Club where we were set to meet the others. Ahmad’s laidback approach to punctuality did mean we got there well before time, but it did allow for us to grab a coffee and admire just how scenic it all was.
A few moments later, an all-black Nissan Patrol was well in sight and Ahmad orchestrated a series of successive toots to ensure he’d caught our attention. Having exchanged greetings and divided the cargo load equally, we proceeded onto the highway and continued the remainder of our journey.
We drove excitedly along the outskirts of Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain while stopping for puerile pictures with the varying terrain and picturesque backdrops. Avoiding the hustle and bustle of the city as much as we could, we used the Al Duhaish Road and other unmarked ones to get to Wadi Bih – our first proper pit stop.
Having locked the differentials and engaged the correct gear, we drove deep into the wilderness and found ourselves a comfortable, temporary abode under a large tree. Once we’d relished the Luqaimat and a few of the other delicacies that both the wives had prepared, we got back into our 4x4s and scurried out of the wadi to catch sunset atop Jabal Al Jais. However, upon reaching the tarmac there was an abrupt realisation.
The strange whirring sounds and added drag on the way out of the wadi weren’t due to the deeper rubble we drove through, but due to the fact that it’d slashed my rear tyres and disintegrated the entire sidewall. With the sun setting quickly, we packed ourselves into Ahmad’s Patrol and headed into the city to one of Michelin’s authorised distributors (Fast Track opposite Saqr Hospital).
Upon sharing our predicament with the amiable staff there, they recommended going for Michelin’s LTX A/T2 and seeing how Ahmad had made it through running the same tyres, I didn’t hesitate for a moment before picking up four new pieces – one for each corner of my Land Cruiser. A quick look at the sales literature lying around the service centre further cemented my decision as it revealed a superior sidewall rating and phenomenal all-terrain traction.
Having strapped them on to Ahmad’s matte black roof rack, we drove back to the car and swapped out the old tyres for fresh, new ones. Experience in dealing with flat tyres when on the perilous dunes of the UAE came in handy now more than ever before.
"The LTX’s amazed with the sheer amount of grip they offered and the lack of tyre noise associated with all-terrain tread patterns, taking us up safely and effortlessly."
Soon enough, we were well on our way to Jabal Al Jais, albeit a little later than expected. Climbing the winding patches of tarmac leading up to the viewing point, the LTX’s amazed with the sheer amount of grip they offered and the lack of tyre noise associated with all-terrain tread patterns. On the inclined gravel bits, they significantly reduced the need for heavy acceleration as they clasped onto the gravel and took us up safely, as well as effortlessly.
With firewood lit in front of us, tents pitched beside us and the starry sky above us, it’s been an adventurous day to say the least. For the Al Shamis’, it’s Michelin for now and the foreseeable future!
