If popular male chauvinism is to be believed, cars are something that is totally male. But here at OutdoorUAE, we throw that sort of thoughts out of the window because the outdoors is for everyone to have fun and enjoy. This was how we met Audrey Alexandra Ritter, the 31 year old co-founder of Oryx4x4; one of the many off-road groups in the region that come together frequently for their regular dose of dunes and off-road tyres. She conducts herself in a very relaxed way as we talk about her life as one of the notable ladies taking the deserts of the UAE on.
How did you get into off-roading?
In the beginning of the second year I was here, I bought a Jeep. I was thinking that it would be a bit more fun and in the end save some money from renting a Yaris because I’d get some resale on the Jeep when I left the UAE — guess I never thought I’m staying here this long! One time just after I bought the Jeep I took it into the dealer to get some maintenance and one of the service guys there was a marshal in an off-road club. He brought me along to their next trip for beginners, and it was immediate love at first sight! I’ve done a lot of off-roading with my buddies back in the United States, but I’m from New England so its mountains, rocks, swamps – totally different vibe. I prefer off-roading in the sand.
Other than driving a 4×4 what else does Audrey do?
I like to spend a lot of time with my two dogs, going to the beach with them or taking them to the desert for camping. This year I started running and I just completed the RAK Half Marathon which I’m pretty stoked about! I hope to get a bike soon and add that to the list. On my home turf in the US, I live for snowboarding! I kept my gear here over the years for the occasional trip to Lebanon to catch some good snow up there.
Could you tell us about your group? What’s the story behind it?
The first few years I was off-roading here I was with one off-road club where I learned a lot. I got to be a leader “marshal” with them and it was a great start. Eventually some friends and I – Tajkeh, Eyad, and Malte – wanted to start a new club with a new vibe. So in November 2014 we started Oryx4x4. We’ve had a blast setting up our club and building our community. Now we have over 600 members, though there is a core group that is more active about planning stuff and getting out in the sand. We organise all levels of off-road trips from trips for first timers up to advanced level drives using our website: www.oryx4x4.com.
What is the most thrilling part of off-roading for you?
Driving in advanced level drives is awesome because you get this rush of adrenaline and it’s just move, move, move. But leading beginner level trips is also really fun because you are teaching people and have to take care of the different issues that might come up… Problem solving is part of the fun!
How are you encouraging more ladies to go off-road?
We definitely are encouraging women to get out with us. I have brought a number of friends to buy 4x4s and introduced them to off-roading. Others I bring along as my passenger and try to get them to fall in love with the desert! If someone is bringing their wife along as a passenger, I’ll usually try to encourage her to give the driver’s seat a try. Also, when there is an event like the Dubai Off-road and Adventure Show, I try to go to represent the ladies and get a few new ones to join us.
What are some of the pros of being a female off-roader?
It can be funny to surprise people! Like that old guy who comes along and second guesses you and doesn’t think you know what you’re doing… But eventually he figures it out!
Photos supplied by: Audrey Alexandra Ritter and Oryx4x4
