Tonka - 27-9-2009 at 09:07 AM
Just looking to get in contact with the flyers in the UC-Davis area as i will be there the week of the 26th of October and will be looking to
hang-out/fly.
And yes i bring my own kites....so if you want the chance to try one or two of the great SkyCountry Reflex kites here's your chance!!!
furbowski - 27-9-2009 at 10:13 AM
i reckon you'll find a few, just give it a couple more hours as the west coast gets going on sunday morning.
AD72 - 27-9-2009 at 05:21 PM
I am back in town and will be around then to meet up and can let a few of the other guys know. I don't know the current condition of the local spot
but if there is wind there is a way.
What brings you to Davis?
Tonka - 27-9-2009 at 05:23 PM
Training the guys at the UC Davis transit garage on campus...
Bladerunner - 28-9-2009 at 06:33 AM
Bump
Dino, Strasher, Dagon Dirk. Someone want to meet the NorCal gang! I've been telling Him what a great crew you have. Prove me right.
flexiblade - 28-9-2009 at 09:42 AM
No problem - would love to meet up - all depends on if there are any winds - the usual. I will be going down to Davis (about 40 miles from my house)
tomorrow to do some flying, give me a chance to check out the current terrain at the sod fields. Keep in touch.
DAKITEZ - 28-9-2009 at 10:15 AM
shoot me a heads up when it gets closer. It would be good to meet another friend from the north
Tonka - 28-9-2009 at 12:06 PM
Will post-up when ti gets closer!!!
AD72 - 28-9-2009 at 04:05 PM
Flexiblade - I will go check out the field to the West and let you know the conditions tonight so you don't waste a trip. There are winds right now.
Man I wish this shoulder would heal already. Bring your camera tomorrow if you come out and I will be the videographer.
flexiblade - 28-9-2009 at 06:46 PM
Can do - how much longer that wing gonna be a flipper?
AD72 - 28-9-2009 at 07:37 PM
The grass on the fields looks great. Unfortunately they have the close rows of sprinklers not the big wagon wheel lookin' ones so there is no room to
buggy. The field to the south they had the forklifts and flatbeds there so they must be starting to harvest it. Lets hope they don't leave the
ground all lumpy bumpy. There is a dirt field to the north, closer to the road that is flat but has dirt nuggets. The wind was avg 14.4 with gusts
to 18.
AD72 - 28-9-2009 at 07:41 PM
I go to the doc tomorrow to check it out. It is doing great as far as I can tell. Still going to take it slow.
Tonka - 18-10-2009 at 05:35 AM
Hows the weather out there guys?? Another week to go before i get down to some heat!!!
flexiblade - 18-10-2009 at 07:35 AM
Sorry to say it looks like it's a lull - between 6 and 8 mph. Last thing I heard the fields weren't in the best of conditions either - even though
there have been some rain storms coming through which could help with one field that is nothing but "dirt clods". AD72 should have a better feel for
field conditions since he lives like a 1/4 mile away from them. And as for the wind - the usual - keep your fingers crossed.
Tonka - 18-10-2009 at 07:40 AM
Static flying works fine....have the SkyCountry 3m Escape race kite with me so if the wind is good someone will get a chance to see what it can do in
a buggy.
If the wind is crap then it's a rush just to fly it static [it will pretty much rip your arms off in 5-7mph winds]
I should, hopefully have the new SkyCountry 2m with me as well to test fly.....
Here's hoping!!!!:singing:
Wunderground 95618
AD72 - 18-10-2009 at 09:31 AM
I usually look a Weather Underground for general conditions.
flexiblade - 22-10-2009 at 09:03 AM
Weather update - Monday looks not bad for a light winder 8- 10mph - but Tuesday should be on the verge of a rager - 18 -25mph. Hey AD72, do you know
if there are any fields set for just static flying? How about the "dirt clod" field - did the rain smooth it out at all? Thanks. I'll be down for a
meet up on Tuesday if anyone's willing.
Tonka - 22-10-2009 at 09:15 AM
I'm flying in on saturday and it looks like I will have the 3m with and the new 2m....now have to work till 3.30 or so starting monday....
art_lessing - 22-10-2009 at 01:59 PM
I am going to check the fields on my way home today!!
art_lessing - 22-10-2009 at 06:07 PM
Hey guys...we got field!
the sprinlkers on the montgomery side sod fields have been upgraded to the rolling kind and there is tons of room...there was a guy spraying round up
or something on it but it looks like a go.....definitely going mon and tuesday........FINALLY!!!
flexiblade - 22-10-2009 at 06:21 PM
Thanks Art - this changes everything - Dun ...du...du...da...dun ...du...du...da...dun ...du...du...da...dun...DUUUUN!
flexiblade - 22-10-2009 at 06:28 PM
Anyone that was wanting to get together - now is the time - I will have my 10m, 8m, 13m arcs to try out - problem is that I only have one bar... I can
share though. Dagon you could bring out your 13m guerilla and I could tune it up for you.
Tonka - 22-10-2009 at 06:44 PM
I have my SkyCountry Escape 3m race kite [got new lines today] and i also got the new SkyCountry Reflex 2m today as well....both will be with me , so
guy's if the weathers good your welcome to give them a rip, unfortunitly i will have to work both days till about 4 so just let me know if you want
them!!!
AD72 - 22-10-2009 at 06:53 PM
I will be there too. I have put in enough hours this week to be able to escape Monday and Tuesday while it is still light out. Are the winds
supposed to be from the North? The Sod Farm is optimal from the South-West.
Tonka - you can use my buggy.
I am not sure my bars will work with the PL. Do you have any spare chicken loops? I have a couple old Slingshot LEI bars that could be retro-fitted.
Tonka - 22-10-2009 at 06:58 PM
AD72....thanks...how crash proof is it?? Never took one for a blast yet, whoops guess i shouldn't say that :D...leave your video cams at home boys
your not going to win any "funniest video prizes".....:bigok:
AD72 - 22-10-2009 at 07:03 PM
"this changes everything" - tool - flood
AD72 - 22-10-2009 at 07:06 PM
It is crash proof. I have done my share. No worries. I will be out there to video.
Tonka - 22-10-2009 at 07:07 PM
ROFL.......
you have to remember buggies and airplane baggage space don't
work..if i was home more that a week a month i'd be a master buggier like you boys by now!!!
Dagon - 23-10-2009 at 08:06 AM
i can come on wed, maybe tuesday at about 5pm
art_lessing - 23-10-2009 at 01:31 PM
I am going on monday and tuesday!! after 4
Tonka - 24-10-2009 at 07:45 AM
Someone's going to have to send me some direction to get to the field from Research Park Rd...even an address will work, i can plunk that into the
trusty GPS and get lost
flexiblade - 24-10-2009 at 10:06 AM
Here's some directions from research rd. . . . In pictures
Tonka - 24-10-2009 at 10:07 AM
Thanks bud...
flexiblade - 24-10-2009 at 10:08 AM
Here is a detail of the entrance - it's just a dirt road that most likely will not have a rope strung across it.
flexiblade - 24-10-2009 at 10:11 AM
no problem - hopefully get to meet up in a couple of days. Hey art, see if you can get an image of which exactly are the runnable ones - just outline
them on a google earths image like this one -
AD72 - 24-10-2009 at 11:31 PM
Tonka - U2U sent
Tonka - 25-10-2009 at 07:11 AM
Received, will call you later...gotta tour first.
tuesday is a bust.....gale warnings
art_lessing - 25-10-2009 at 10:59 AM
houston we have a problem....a big 31mph wind problem on tuesday...monday looks slow......moth farts on monday ..... gale force wind on tuesday
....although Wednesday looks pretty good
Bladerunner - 25-10-2009 at 01:22 PM
31mph should be a good wind to test the new 2m Reflex. I think that is what it is designed for ? 
Just have to find someone who will fly a small kite with Hooj Ballz!
AD72 - 25-10-2009 at 01:48 PM
Winds are perfect right now - Sunday.
flexiblade - 25-10-2009 at 09:54 PM
MSN is guessing 31mph for Tuesday - my experience with their forecasts says that 31 is actually going to be more like 40+mph. So I concur with Art -
Tuesday is meh, good story with a limp or a stutter. Wednesday 17mph - more like 20 something but manageable. I will be passing on Tuesday and
showing up Wednesday.
DAKITEZ - 25-10-2009 at 09:57 PM
got room for one more
flexiblade - 25-10-2009 at 09:59 PM
Oh yeah - should bring that synergy and give her a proper shaking down.
SCREWYFITS - 26-10-2009 at 01:45 AM
shooot!!! I can do Wed... I think I might have to come along if its an open invitation? hows the field? will the aluminum bug do OK out there?
art_lessing - 26-10-2009 at 10:07 AM
I think it should be good!
AD72 - 26-10-2009 at 11:51 AM
Since when do you need an invite? Of course. It will be good to see you guys.
SCREWYFITS - 26-10-2009 at 06:52 PM
LOL, thanx, I just realized I'm supposed to take my wife to Carmel on Tue for a B&B night, I'll see, we might not go, so there is still a chance I
could drag my a$$ up there still... Damn women... LOL, that was my fault, I asked her if shed like to get away for a night... but that was B4 I knew
this was an option... LOL
AD72 - 26-10-2009 at 09:45 PM
Looks like Wednesday. Take her out on Tues so for certain you can go on Wednesday.
art_lessing - 26-10-2009 at 09:47 PM
not to worry if you do have to hang with the wife...its probably better that way....were all going out on wed...tuesday is much too wild...i will be
there after 4 on wed....
SCREWYFITS - 26-10-2009 at 11:27 PM
ahhh, she just told me that she didn't take the day off work, so we are going to postpone for 2 weeks or so... SWEET!!! I should be in, I might bring
a buddy to film the day if that's cool, he has never flown and am unsure if he'll even try... but hes good with the camera... all HD too... sweet!!!
gotta see if hes up 4 it...
Dagon - 27-10-2009 at 10:13 AM
I will plan on being there on wed.
DAKITEZ - 27-10-2009 at 10:49 AM
I'll be there wed
AD72 - 27-10-2009 at 12:27 PM
My Kestrel meter just measured 26.2 mph max 3mph low 12mph avg from the top of the bike bridge over the 80 in Davis. It is gusty here today.
SCREWYFITS - 27-10-2009 at 02:26 PM
is tomorrow still supposed to be good?
I'll be there and I'm bringing a buddy that will film us all on HD, so wipe-outs are a must... LOL
DAKITEZ - 27-10-2009 at 07:20 PM
can we get in from montgomery or do we need to sneek in the back way from mace?
art_lessing - 27-10-2009 at 07:50 PM
not sure the gate has been closed occasisionally...we'll see.....
flexiblade - 28-10-2009 at 07:35 AM
Im going to sneak out of work a little early today and try and get down there about 3 -3:30pm, see you all down there - Hey Tonka, have you been able
to make it out there yet to check the place out? Will you be there today? Hope to see ya.
SCREWYFITS - 28-10-2009 at 10:12 AM
anybody no the conditions today? still good?
I'm leaving about noon so i should be there around 2, anyone else be there by then?
Dagon - 28-10-2009 at 11:49 AM
I am looking out my office window and the wind seems to be blowing from the north. which makes for choppy conditions in the montgomery field because
the wind blows through town first. so if you have depower I would plan on flying that. I will be there at about 3pm, maybe sooner. I got a hot date
with the wife tonight so I will be leaving at about 5:30-6.
If I remember I will bring some homebrew so those who dont want to fly can enjoy the sunshine and a tasty beverage.
BeamerBob - 28-10-2009 at 12:13 PM
You guys are killing me here. In certain places in my mind, I already live out there. Not only is there a big crowd going buggying this afternoon,
but there's homebrew too?
AD72 - 28-10-2009 at 12:32 PM
Mmmm beer.
Aye, it is gusty. See you there at 4:00 when I escape work.
Bob we will save a beer for you.
AD72 - 28-10-2009 at 02:34 PM
Looks like we cannot go to the Sod Farm due to a new owner. Screwyfits just gave me a call. I told him about the alfalfa farm that is East of Mace
Blvd, parallel to 80. We are going to meetup there. I just talked to Artlessing and he said the alfalfa farm was just mowed last time he drove by so
it should be ok.
art_lessing - 28-10-2009 at 02:43 PM
man....no love...I feel like I am 19 trying to find a place to skate again
flexiblade - 28-10-2009 at 04:25 PM
Hope things went well out at the alfalfa field - was running a little late in the afternoon for me to try and bust through the commuter traffic.
Tried flying in Auburn but had one of the most miserable sessions (15 whole minutes with the kite in the air). TURB-U-LENT! The wind was dancing
from the West and then North West - it was moving up and down, kite inverted twice in the time I had it up. Lameness. This is why I was debating on
giving this hobby up - the only decent flying I've gotten in recently was down at Moss Landing - 210 miles from here on the coast! Inland valley Fall
sucks, the summer sucked, the spring was mediocre at best. I don't know if its worth the time and effort any more. Get used to flying once every 3
or 4 months, Lame.
SCREWYFITS - 28-10-2009 at 08:04 PM
well its been a heck of a day, made the hour'n fifty min drive to a sod farm we all thought or previously had permission to, to find a man asking who
gave me permission to be on the field (he claimed to be the new owner) and had no idea of anyone giving permission to be out there, the guy was a
complete gentleman and made call to, I'm guessing his managers/employees to double check someone didn't give permission without his knowledge... he
also expressed that he didn't feel comfortable letting us fly out there, I apologized profusely and made mention that there where going to be a few of
us coming out there today and mentioned to him that I would head everyone off at the pass and let them know that there is no permission anymore, I
have the gentleman's card if any one wants to get in contact with him, I truly believe he doesn't understand what it is that we do, I'm thinking he
believes we are powered para-gliders, I clued him in that they are just kites and he made mention "so those aren't those things you fly under"... so
the possibility of getting permission is probably still viable, if approached correctly... I'm thinking of trying to send this guy something to let
him know we are truly sorry and thankful for the time that has been spent out there, I don't know, a card, fruit/nut basket, big bag of jerky
something to let him know we are not hooligans... He was very nice and made mention that he didn't want to be a jerk, heck, just the opposite for
having someone trespassing on his property... grateful he didn't have me arrested which he had the right to do...
after all that I headed back to the tried and trued sod farm that Dino and I have access to and got about an hour'n a half of good flying in... Dino
got stuck in traffic, so he missed out completely, Doug, glad I got to you before you got too far into your journey to the field... hope no one made
it out there and found out from the owner making anything worse... I called Adrian to help spread the news to keep from having people still showing up
out there and making them mad in anyway...
so after 4 hours in the car, the 1.5 hrs of flying virtually made me forget all about the drive that I didn't have to make... LOL good times
If any one wants to help with a gift/card to apologize/mend a new connection out there please contact me...
AD72 - 28-10-2009 at 08:55 PM
Yes I have been wanting to give the owner something for all the hours of fun I have had at the farm. I never met him but always was greeted by the
workers there saying hi, no problem go ahead. So yes, lets figure out the best way to handle this since there really is no benefit for him to let us
fly there. I heard that some guys in the past gave the original owner a gift. I can get some good single malt scotch on my next trip out to Scotland.
Thanks for representing. It sounded like you handeled it the best you could.
Tonka - 28-10-2009 at 09:52 PM
Sorry i couldn't get there guys....got tied up with work, "tag along" wanting to go into Sacra for diner...yada, yada, i know, don't start....maybe
next time!
Dagon - 29-10-2009 at 09:30 PM
u2u me his name and I will get in touch. I was friends with the previous owner who passed away about 1 yr ago, this is probably one of his sons whom
I have not met. I will make a call and see if I can smooth things out.
NorCalWinds - 19-3-2010 at 06:47 PM
Bump from a new guy? Any word on the Davis fields? I have Google mapped all around my local area. I might have found a couple of fields near
Fairfield. I looks like a couple of big sod fields. I have yet to even try my buggy with a kite, so I'm not sure I'd be the one to ask the right
questions. Any advice?
1012 Chadbourne Rd, Fairfield, Ca.
flexiblade - 19-3-2010 at 07:41 PM
The sod farm in Davis is under new ownership and it looks like they are not even growing sod anymore. The soaring society down the road on Mace now
charges $6 for parking to use a mediocre field full of holes (burrowing owls). If you can find some fields in Fairfield that might work out - the
winds are pretty good over there? I know Vacaville has a strange consistent draw going through it for wind. The Sac valley has few flying spots left
that are worth trying.
NorCalWinds - 20-3-2010 at 05:05 AM
Did you look at the address I posted? Do those fields look big enough? The wind comes right off the Delta near there. I will drive down there and
check them out.
DAKITEZ - 20-3-2010 at 07:23 AM
looks big enough from the best I can tell off google maps. Hard to tell ,but looks like you would need a south wind to run the length of the field?
With a west wind which I would think would be most common there you would be cutting back and forth across the width.
what kind of irrigation do they have out there?