Power Kite Forum

Ivanpah Chronicles

BeamerBob - 7-6-2011 at 09:31 PM

Well, today I lived a dream come true. I loaded up my buggy and drove from my (temporary for 3 more weeks) home near Vegas and went to Ivanpah for a buggy run. Since I have been involved with the move for the last few months since NABX, I had unknowingly slipped a pink skirt back on. It took a few runs to the interstate to get the skirt off then I was comfortable when the wind blew enough for "hammer down" time.

It was my first run in my new Apexx XXtreme and I will make some adjustments on my next run to adjust leg length.

I didn't have a gps but I had 2 blasts that put me over 35 mph, maybe 40. I was using a 5m HQ Apex I got out for my younger son Jared, then a gust came along that made me do a few quick steps and he decided he would just watch today. :lol: I have a limited few of my kites right now and no fixed bridles with me. 3 more weeks and the full stable will back up to the garage. Then I'll be figuring out how to haul 3 buggies. More to come on that. For now I realized the back axle on the Apexx comes off with 4 bolts, so I take the axle off and it all goes in the back of the car. Eventually I'll need a 2 buggy rack for the Apexx and Hero. XR+++ in the back of the car.

Life is good!

greasehopper - 7-6-2011 at 09:47 PM

Lookin' forward to the running thread. Jealousy is the color of me...

PHREERIDER - 8-6-2011 at 06:21 AM

DO IT BOB!

ripsessionkites - 11-6-2011 at 01:11 AM

No gps means it didn't happen. Hehehe.

Getting practicing you only have a year and a few months for WC 2012 in France.

BeamerBob - 11-6-2011 at 10:17 AM

Well, its not like I'm making any big claim here, so no credit required. lol. When my toolbox arrives, I can mount my gps and then we'll know the rest of the story. I hope someday, I can be confident enough in my skills to say to myself "hmm, I wonder what WC would be like". 2012 is coming fast though. Maybe regular riding will brings the skills fast.

ripsessionkites - 12-6-2011 at 02:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Well, its not like I'm making any big claim here, so no credit required. lol. When my toolbox arrives, I can mount my gps and then we'll know the rest of the story. I hope someday, I can be confident enough in my skills to say to myself "hmm, I wonder what WC would be like". 2012 is coming fast though. Maybe regular riding will brings the skills fast.


never say never, only you hold the keys to your success.

less time on the forum / puter taking shop / skype sex with dino and more time in the seat, BRO.

:P

BeamerBob - 12-6-2011 at 03:21 PM

Very soon, life will open up enough for me to go multiple rides per week. I feel like my hands are tied missing most of my kites, and most of my tools. It will be nice when it all gets in one place again.

awindofchange - 13-6-2011 at 01:55 PM

Bob, you are welcome to any of my gear until the rest of yours gets here. Just let me know and you can take out my bag(s).

BeamerBob - 19-7-2011 at 04:24 PM

Finally managed to get back out on the playa today. Almost didn't know what to do when I realized I had free time. Then it all came clear.

Get the car loaded up and away we go. Get to the entrance to Ivanpah and find the gate blocked by orange ribbon and a sign that says "no vehicles". I call the BLM number on the sign to inquire and found that it was closed due to still being muddy from rains last week. They suggested I go across the interstate to the west side of Ivanpah so off I went.

I got the buggy set up with barely a breeze blowing. I walked out on the playa with a 9.5 Montana and barely got it out of the bag when the wind picked up to over 20 and stayed there! Took the montana back to the car and traded down to a Reactor II 3.5m. I rode it for a bit but it was too much kite most of the time so back to the car for the HQ Apex III 5m. I got along well with it but it seemed the wind was picking up even higher. I decided to change down again to the 2.2 RII when I came in hot with a totally depowered Apex 5m sliding me sideways and not giving up. Then of course the wind died down again and I was underpowered. It started getting pretty hot then so I called it a day.

NOAA says winds of 16 gusting to 23 but the number and size of the dust devils along with the power the kites had over me and the buggy tell another story. I'd guess the big gusts that were too much for the 3.5 RII and 5m Apexx III were over 30 mph, which would've been fine for the 2.2 or a 2.8 that I don't have. The 10m synergy would've been good too in the higher winds. Don't have my light lines in yet and was trying to keep setup and breakdown quick, yet I got out 3 different kites in 2 hours riding. I'm learning. :rolleyes:

PHREERIDER - 20-7-2011 at 08:33 AM

nice bob. 10 SYN should be pulling a lot of time out there.

ripsessionkites - 22-7-2011 at 03:19 AM

Finally beaver beats the heat and gets a ride in, nice!!!. whats with the down sizing?!! Hello the plan was to get you too 100km this year. Use the prodigy that you have. You need something that sits infront and not drifting back.

Dino has one up on you now. No it's not the speed. Hehehehehe.

BeamerBob - 14-8-2011 at 09:07 AM

Sorry Rip, didn't see this one since I was out of town for a few weeks. The problem was that I was on the west side of the interstate due to the east side still being soft from rain. The whole run is a half mile and there are "potholes" on the interstate third of that. Nowhere to build speed and bear off downwind. When the wind peaked I had to drop down from the 3.5 and the 2.2 was my next step down from there at the time. I'm hoping the rains yesterday didn't soften the east side and I have room to let it ride.

Meet up on the playa tomorrow? Yes it will be hot. 9 - 13 with gusts to 18. Should be a confidence inspiring ride. Camelback will be riding along with me. :cool:

ripsessionkites - 14-8-2011 at 09:31 AM

i hear excuses after excuses, like Dino says "man up"

going for speed doesn't matter about the AR, theory, this that ... honest, you need a few things

- a set of ....
- the right conditions
- tuned kite, it doesn't come like that out of the box. play around with the bridles and get the kite to sit far forward.
(refer to Arie's speed run, or Mama on the rear) the 2.7m is a sweet machine to have.
- you can A) go for a long distance to build speed or B) go big in shorter time.
- do Dino and I have to make a road trip to egg you on??? hehehe, j/king

here is a video for ya. I've driven this beach and its short!!! they all went above 100+ that day.

http://vimeo.com/25788070

BeamerBob - 14-8-2011 at 09:44 AM

All that will come with repeated visits to the playa with consistent winds. I need hours of time there to have an internal database of what to use and what works for the conditions. Sharing that time with the locals will steepen the learning curve for me too. Anyone with more experience than me to chase around and get equipment advice from will be HOOJ!

You talk big Rip! Make the trip and pick Dino up on your way. I'll happily chase you guys all day unless you get in my way!

I've ridden in conditions like that in the video and that would be welcome compared to the 5mph gusting to over 30 I was dealing with. Had I sized for the gusts, I'd have been sitting still most of the time. Lots to learn for sure.

ripsessionkites - 14-8-2011 at 09:57 AM

I'm game in 2012 ... we can get the 8 Gang together

08 Jellis
008 Alex
888 Grant
88 Me (KC)

BeamerBob - 12-9-2011 at 09:53 AM

Took the boys out to Ivanpah yesterday. I was worried about the lakebed being wet because some thunderstorms came through during the day Saturday. I could see that the surface had been wet, but it was dusty dry and hard everywhere.

I didn't measure the wind but would guess lows of 10 and high end maybe 18-20 mph. I flew the 7m HQ Montana and wow did they get it right in all counts with this M6. It is very steady and stable but you can whip it around to make power if the wind slows down. Much of the afternoon, it was steady cruising at 25-30 mph which is fun just putting in the miles. Sometimes the wind would kick up and we could just lock it in and roll. When the wind would pick up like this, runs over 40 mph were common with several hitting 45 or so. My fastest of the day was 48.5 mph. I was hoping for a little extra pull to break my pb, but I'll have to settle for an otherwise exciting day on the playa. Awesome day and it was nice to shed my pink skirt hopefully for good.

Wexler was using the Apexes and floated between the 5 and 7.5. He was safe and steady with the 5 and better powered with the 7.5 but a little overpowered when the strong winds would kick in. In the light winds, he would slowly pull away from me with the 7.5, but my weight advantage (and maybe the Montana coming into it's zone) would prevail when the winds picked up from time to time. We had trouble resetting the data on the etrex he was running in the PTW Hero but he said he was over 40 mph several times. Not bad for a 16 year old. Even the teenager commented that it was really cool to have gotten to ride in the PTW Hero on 9/11/11 which was dedicated to the fallen Policemen and Firemen who died trying to save others in New York City 10 years earlier to the day. :thumbup:

BeamerBob - 12-9-2011 at 10:38 AM

OH! I forgot to mention I pulled off one clean suicide jibe! Others ended up just being a downloop turn or I luffed the kite. 1 was a smooth tight lines balancing act though. I'll keep practicing these, because its really cool to be able to maintain speed and just turn around and head back.

Drewculous - 12-9-2011 at 11:10 AM

i'm jelly bro..........

howd your habs turn out?

AD72 - 12-9-2011 at 11:20 AM

Sounds good Bob. Glad the heat relented. How is a suicide turn executed?

Drewculous - 12-9-2011 at 11:45 AM

isnt it like flying a 360, back over your head, winging around and taking off lit up like no ones business?

lol horrible explanation...... ricky does em most of his videos.... i think the most recent nabx one had a bunch in it




@ 1:25 kinda lol, i thought the movements were more exagerated tho

BeamerBob - 12-9-2011 at 12:16 PM

Exactly like the second video at 1:25. I didn't do the downloop since I was doing it at speed and trying to keep fast through the turnaround. I'll try it with a Toxic or Reactor II next time if the winds are more consistent. Also want to try my 10 syn with the lighter lines, as well as the 12m Phanny, winds permitting. Elmers this Saturday for a full day of it.

acampbell - 12-9-2011 at 01:55 PM

Most excellent!! get one of the boys to get a video of that jibe. Wexler's topping 40? Jeez. Sounds like you guys are settling in just fine.

BeamerBob - 12-9-2011 at 04:26 PM

Go Pro is on the birthday list. There were some cool scenes with Wexler and I tracking each other yesterday. It is fun to see the effects of a burst of wind hit. We would both start to have a dust trail and rocket ahead simultaneously. Video would be cool to share with those that haven't been there............. Well and to those that wish they could be there more often.

I feel very lucky to have Ivanpah as my local playground. I've been on the other side where buggy locations to choose from were between bad and horrible. Not to mention access issues. It is crazy to have a 3 mile run with the ability to adjust my track to either build or bleed off speed. I can go south just a bit and mostly double that run length.

PHREERIDER - 12-9-2011 at 05:42 PM

way to commit Bob! nice flow

BeamerBob - 8-10-2011 at 09:01 PM

Nice long day on the playa today. I wanted to ramp it up a bit with fixed bridles so I ran my 5.5m Reactor II since it is my biggest one right now. Winds were minimal but that kite is exciting when the speed builds. I got over 37 today during an uncharacteristic gust. Most of the day was running at about 20-25 mph just keeping the lines tight. Sometimes the wind would edge up and that Reactor II would light it up. I remember being terrified of that kite at NABX 10 in my Flexi buggy. In the Apexx, I have the confidence to just strop in and take what comes. So much help and advice I've been given makes sense now that I have the Apexx.

Also my youngest son went with me today. The winds were more variable when we arrived and then later the big gusts didn't show up any more. Jared started out on a Buster 1.4m that awoc graciously gave him since a 2m Toxic is our smallest kite. Jared took the 1.4 out at first and then when he was wanting for more, he moved to teh 2m Toxic, then later still, the 3m. The winds kept going down and further down and Jared finished up on the 3.5 RII. After sunset winds dropped off to nothing and we packed it up.

The biggest success of the day is getting Jared's confidence up on the playa. He has only buggied at the sodfarm and the resistance there is confidence inspiring. On the lakebed, you just roll and roll and he thoroughly got used to that today wanting more power most of the day. He loves the Toxics and has me wanting to put in some miles with them when we get a touch more wind. Rumor has it we might be going back tomorrow so we'll see what wind we get handed to us.

702dirtsurfer - 8-10-2011 at 09:44 PM

Gah jealous!!!! I've been stuck working forever it seems now! Next week I get 5 weeks off, we gotta meet up!

BeamerBob - 8-10-2011 at 10:13 PM

I was thrilled to find Awoc out there today when I arrived, and then disappointed to find him packing up. It will really add to my learning curve and the fun to have some locals out there too. As always, the more the merrier.

ripsessionkites - 9-10-2011 at 12:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
I was thrilled to find Awoc out there today when I arrived, and then disappointed to find him packing up. It will really add to my learning curve and the fun to have some locals out there too. As always, the more the merrier.


did you find that sitting out there by yourself a new skill builder???

just playing, hehehehe.

BeamerBob - 9-10-2011 at 09:47 AM

not much sitting and only walked to camp once way after dark when the wind completely stopped. But no, the sitting doesn't teach me much other than I need to get my life so I can go when the wind is really supposed to blow.

BeamerBob - 9-10-2011 at 01:56 PM

Go Pro 960 is in the quiver now. You guys get to go along for the ride next time. I'm sure I'll be like Phreerider on the no edit, raw footage style vids.

pokitetrash - 10-10-2011 at 10:34 AM

So jealous...:moon:

BeamerBob - 10-10-2011 at 11:05 AM

Well get your :moon: out here! Kite buggy tours available.

pokitetrash - 10-10-2011 at 11:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Well get your :moon: out here! Kite buggy tours available.


It's in my que for vacation day alotment. Hoping the planets align!

dman - 12-10-2011 at 05:26 AM

I wanted to come down this weekend and get some riding in but the forecast doesn't look good for wind. Missed the last weekend due to the rain thinking it wouldn't be open. I hope my schedule and the weather can finally work together soon:no:

wheresthewind? - 12-10-2011 at 09:37 AM

Dusty Trails sounds like the name of a porn star lol

BeamerBob - 12-10-2011 at 09:55 AM

Possibly, but it's intent was the trail of dust a buggy creates when the speed builds on the lakebed. You know the power is flowing heavily from the kite if the dust is kicking up.

wheresthewind? - 12-10-2011 at 07:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Possibly, but it's intent was the trail of dust a buggy creates when the speed builds on the lakebed. You know the power is flowing heavily from the kite if the dust is kicking up.
yes i know, just throwing some levity in there.......

BeamerBob - 13-10-2011 at 07:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wheresthewind?
Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Possibly, but it's intent was the trail of dust a buggy creates when the speed builds on the lakebed. You know the power is flowing heavily from the kite if the dust is kicking up.
yes i know, just throwing some levity in there.......


I figured some might not know about it. Levity is always good! :yes: :smilegrin:

BeamerBob - 30-11-2011 at 08:23 AM

Partly cloudy and windy. High 53F. Winds NNE at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Windy, with a north wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

These are the 2 forecasts I'm getting for Ivanpah tomorrow. I think I'll go ride. It might be a "2 GPS day".:cool:

Cheddarhead - 30-11-2011 at 04:53 PM

Have fun out there! Hope you can post some speeds for us.

BeamerBob - 22-12-2011 at 08:39 PM

Today was an awesome day. The winds were strong for awhile late morning. Forecast called for 15 to 20 with gusts to 28. I got the boys riding and tended to and then got a ride for me. It felt fast with bursts of real speed. On the way back towards camp, it really kicked in. I was flying my 3.5 Reactor II and I broke downwind when the buggy started slipping. At the end of the run, I looked at the gps and was thrilled at my new PB of 51.8 mph. Just a small jump over my 50.1 but still my first increase since moving here. 50.1 was set at Nabx 11. This was the first ride where I was powered well enough for the wind to have to break downwind when the burst came, so I guess I'm learning about kite selection. I wanted to also give a run on the HQ Prodigy, but the wind backed off right after my fast run so I toughed it out for awhile and then tried the Vapor 5.4. Wind was a bit too shifty and up and down for the Medium sized Vapor. 90 degree direction shifts and the wind was up and down alot.

Also, Wexler had a new pb with the gps on this time. My 16 year old hit 47.4 today! More to come later.............

BeamerBob - 22-12-2011 at 10:59 PM

Wexler was riding our 5m Apex III. He said he would've been fine with more power. but I told him he's probably the fastest 16 year old out there so be proud of that kind of speed. Who knows? Popeye doesn't take age info I don't think. :lol:

dman - 23-12-2011 at 07:33 AM

That's great Bob. I wish I could have made it down for a run or two but had to do some last minute work before the Holiday kicks in. Maybe over the break we can bring the kids down for a day.

thanson2001ok - 23-12-2011 at 08:39 AM

You are livin' the dream! Sounds like a great session. Kudos to the boy!:thumbup:

BeamerBob - 23-12-2011 at 10:02 AM

Just noticed that Popeye's Top Speeds site is broken down into pages. That is even more motivation to increase my speed to not be relegated to "page 2"! :lol:

BeamerBob - 26-12-2011 at 11:36 AM

Mixing it up a bit with Donnie Gould at our last ride together. Yes I won this one but I just had the right kite out this time. We tease each other and I gave him some grief in good humor. My real worry is that Wexler (my 16 yr old son) is only about 5 mph behind me on top speed. Popeye is threatening to talk to him about adding weight to the Hero to even things out a bit. Oh boy. :embarrased:

Donaldgould - 26-12-2011 at 11:56 AM

we did have a good day . that kite was good fun till i put that bar on it i. it was a hole new world . hope we get to ride agin before i make the move to wyoming

BeamerBob - 26-12-2011 at 01:35 PM

Oh I forgot you were messing with the turbo bar too.

I hope we get another session in as well. You have been the most likely to show up for a ride when I've been able to get out there so far.

Donaldgould - 26-12-2011 at 08:10 PM

We will ride agin and I won't have that bar so I might be harder to pass :moon:

cheezycheese - 27-12-2011 at 03:11 AM

damn, Bob... you were really haulin' the mail....!!!! Sounds like Wex will be on Arie's heels in a couple of years.... let hiim do it...!!! :cool2:

BeamerBob - 27-12-2011 at 08:44 AM

It has always been a proud father moment when my kids have passed me by at something. I never went easy on them though so he'll have to pass me up on his own. :smug::lol:

BeamerBob - 25-2-2012 at 08:34 PM

Scratched together a ride today. Got to the playa at about 1 pm and waited till after 3 for the wind to start. Vapor 5.4, and 5m Toxic got things going. Sometimes overpowered, and sometimes fighting to run 10 mph. With the wind dropping out, I just flew the kite without stropping in for more control. Was just poking back and forth sometimes getting up around 20 mph with a top speed of 27 something.

Decided it was a good day to work on turns and at dean's suggestion, tried some upwind turns and they were really no problem. Botched one because I was barely rolling, but a dozen or so were easy. In the light conditions it was a good way to keep the kite from luffing too. Tried a few suicide jibes and a few worked out but they were hard today due to the slow speeds that were common.

I hope the winds get better this month. Supposed to have 28 on Monday, and I hope to slip away and bust a speed run.

BeamerBob - 5-3-2012 at 11:52 AM

Had my most awesome day at Ivanpah yesterday. For the first time I got to ride with Brian Holgate, another local and he is a Peter Lynn teamrider. He is a great guy and has plenty of buggy skills for sure. It was fun having someone there with a competitive nature as we chased each other around testing skills and taunting each other. Brian shares my love of the kite and the passion to ride which adds to the stoke for sure. Reminds me of my days riding at the sodfarm in NorCal with Dino and Screwyfits along with Flexiblade and AD72 as regulars. And of course my SOFKA days back east riding at the OOBE field in Aiken, SC or in Charleston or Jekyll Island with one or more of that crew including Pokitetrash, Phreerider, tridude, Angus, PBC, and others.

Yesterday was my most miles buggied in one day. In about 3 hours of actual riding time I clocked over 70 miles. I can feel it too. I had marks still visible this morning around my hips from my great fitting Divine harness. I wonder if I need to be more careful about where my waistband of my jeans is or avoiding folds of shirt fabric under the harness. Much respect to those that have done 300 and 400 miles in a 24 hour period. I also discovered that one of the velcro straps holding on my right number plate needs to be shifted because the male velcro on the strap is on top and over the 70 miles chaffed the underside of my arm.

Winds usually measured 10-13 but it boosted higher several times evident from higher speeds. I started out with the 3.5 RII and was underpowered the whole time running it. It was embarrassing to have someone pulling away from you while riding backwards. The wind didn't seem to be building so I went in to change kites. Wexler was running the 7m Montana and said he was powered ok, so I got out the trusty 9.5m Montana. Good choice! I was just well powered and could almost always handle all it was giving and it was usually enough to keep Brian from getting in front of me. If the wind backed off a bit, he could pull ahead being lighter, and as the winds increased, I could hold my line and add in power with the bar to be able to pull ahead a bit. Brian was bouncing between 2 PL Cores I think at 4 and 5 meters. Cruising speeds were usually 25-35 with common bursts to 40. I had one boost that let me turn downwind a bit and hit 45. That is so awesome when you have enough power that easing off downwind causes you to accellerate. It's also surprising just how fast the big 9.5m Montana VI can go. I look forward to the Montana VIIs that will be in soon to replace the VIs. The VIs are such fantastic kites already, improvements will make them even better with minimized bridles and some other tweaks to speed them up even more.

With all the turns I made, I practiced upwind turns some more, gaining the confidence to just send the kite back the other way while I completed the buggy turn. This is a nice turn to have confidence in if you're the upwind guy in a pack that is all turning at the same time. Also did countless of the speedy downwind suicide jibes. I found that they worked the best if you had at least 30 mph coming into your turn, and 40 is even better. Just a brief paraglide phase then you are in a powerslide coming out of your turn as the wind catches the kite again. Brian was telling me I was cheating by not doing the downturn style SJ, but that version is more about style and less about maintaining speed. The downturn SJ is also more technical and more of a trick than a turn. It really looks cool too.

I had the gopro running and used a different bracket that raised it up off my helmet a bit. A downside is that I had more trouble hearing the beeps and thus sometimes would botch a turn off or turn on sequence. I'll have to look at what we got but should be some good stuff with 3 fast buggies running together most of the time.

I really count my blessings every time out at Ivanpah. It is truly the best riding in the world and its in my backyard. I want to get all it has to offer.

acampbell - 5-3-2012 at 01:56 PM

Awesome. Looking forward to some vids; esp of the turns. Joan and I are looking forward to the trip to NABX.

PHREERIDER - 5-3-2012 at 03:50 PM

cool bob. love it.

access to excess ...oh i recommend it!

BeamerBob - 28-4-2012 at 05:48 PM

Went out to Ivanpah and was timid because I ended up out there by myself. Winds were next to nothing but would kick up to 10-12 mph sometimes. I had not flown my 4.5 Vapor yet in the buggy so wanted to give it a ride. First pass in the buggy and woosh! I was toodling along at 25 mph or so just cruising then felt the wind build. It's a big kite so ended up almost going downwind to keep from sliding. The wind backed off a bit and I had ended up in the soft part of the lakebed but got slowed and turned no problem. Thought maybe I had hit 40 or so and it was 48 mph. That's fast (for me) for a 4.5m kite. I thought its speed limit might've been slower than that but no.

I got some of the new recon goggles and will tinker with plotting that run to see where the acceleration and speed were in the run. Just wanted to share.

Edit: for those troubled by the solo ride, 3 people knew where I was and I only rode 15 miles or so before the wind died. The rest of the ride was very tame, usually around 20 mph or so.

BeamerBob - 13-7-2012 at 05:16 PM

All day today there are thunderstorms coming through the area. Radar shows Ivanpah getting a good dousing. I hope it gets enough to soak it well and maybe even get some standing water on it. That might repair the soft spots that have formed all along the interstate. The soft spots along with unauthorized illegal vehicle traffic travelling along the gasline have taken a large portion of the lakebed and rendered it unusable to lowriding buggies. I imagine a good soaking is like a new paving job on a highway. Hoping for flat, smooth and hard for when fall winds kick in.

KAZEDOKA - 14-7-2012 at 10:43 AM

BOB, I don't think a soaking is going to correct the abuse. I camped/sailed on the playa Sat/Sun Memorial weekend.
I found spilled grading media (rocks) & nails scattered randomly. More alarming Heavy equipment tracks gauged the surface.
Another long term camper verified the use of the playa as a short cut by solar project workers returning to the casino's at days end.If this continues by next year the surface will be destroyed. I think the BLM should take a close look. just sayin.

BeamerBob - 14-7-2012 at 11:10 AM

I agree Randy. I think I'll send BLM a note about it and ask what the plan is.

BeamerBob - 16-7-2012 at 07:51 PM

Great news from BLM! In response to my letter, I was informed that the gates at both the north and south entrances have been improved (as seen at the north entrance at NABX this year) and both gates have been locked with a combination lock and they will remain locked until the lakebed is DRY (their emphasis). Also, several citations have been issued to workers at the solar plant for their unauthorized use of motor vehicles on the lakebed. Thirdly, patrols by the BLM rangers have been increased to help safeguard the treasure that Ivanpah dry lake is.

And with a little help from mother nature, several inches of rain fell in the area to cover the lake with not just the few inches I presumed but 8 inches of standing water which should do a great job of renewing the surface to its natural splendor.

I know all of you are as excited as I am to hear the good news about our playa.

KAZEDOKA - 16-7-2012 at 09:32 PM

THANX

Todd - 17-7-2012 at 06:16 PM

Thank you Bob for your continued effort to preserve the lake bed and out sport, I'm proud of you brother!

BeamerBob - 17-7-2012 at 07:07 PM

You're welcome Todd, but really I just checked in and gave my observations of what was going on at the lakebed. Almost all the solutions I was hoping for had already been put in place. The biggie was the standing water.............. Ok, I am directly responsible for the rain, but not the other stuff. :ninja: :roll:

PHREERIDER - 18-7-2012 at 08:36 AM

way to be on it BB!

BeamerBob - 25-8-2012 at 01:34 PM

The tide came in! This was taken yesterday by Brian Holgate. This is the result of the flooding rains we had a few days ago in Vegas. Not sure how deep it is but I'm ready for it to dry out completely. New wheels and they aren't dusty yet. High temps are dropping below 100 most every day now.


Ivanpah wet by BMuse1, on Flickr

acampbell - 26-8-2012 at 05:58 AM

Always a rainmaker, thanks for being a good steward. Pretty photo

Bladerunner - 26-8-2012 at 07:41 AM

It is good to hear that people will be locked out until the lake is dry.

From what I saw last spring those workers using the lakebed was a real problem. I could not get over the soft sand tracks on my small wheels. I wondered at that point why BLM wasn't talking to the Solar Plant people about the issue? I few days of handing out fines + holding the Solar Plant people accountable was overdue back then !

I hope the issue has been properly addressed and the rain will repair some of the damage. Please do us all a favour and inform BLM as soon as the activity starts up again! I have a feeling that left alone , it will?

Roadkyllphil - 28-8-2012 at 12:46 PM

Hey Bob,
Did you get those bags and are you using them? They work ok for you?

BeamerBob - 24-9-2012 at 09:50 AM

Got to put in some miles yesterday! Good showing of locals and far away travelers as well. The surface is improved, but not totally repaired from the damage the solar workers did before being cited by the federales and being threatened with losing their job if caught trespassing there again. Even with my ~2" of ground clearance, I didn't high center anywhere I rode yesterday. Ruts are perceptible now but you can roll right over them and the surface is firm again. Some new spots are super smooth and others are noticeably rough. It will take a few rides to learn where the good spots are.

Winds were jumpy between 0-18. Sometimes being fully lit and others with a lifeless kite sitting on the ground. I ran the 12m Phantom II and it could handle more wind if it was smoother. Got up over 45 mph a couple times which makes me wonder what is possible with the 9 and 6m. Looking forward to the cooler fall winds!

BeamerBob - 13-12-2012 at 01:25 PM

Great ride yesterday. I think I broke my miles record. Rode over 80 miles in just over 3 hours. Lots of 35-45 mph cruising. One blast to 53.8. Video is on facebook if you can see it. Wind was from a very southerly direction which made it very smooth. I was flying the 12m Phantom II and it was rock steady in those smooth winds. Feyd suggested all straps loose and it seems to have been great advice.

It was fun chasing Wexler around all day. He started out with the 3.4 HQ Prodigy and shifted to the 7m Montana VII. It had a little more power and we were pretty evenly matched all day. I ran lots of video and am going to put together a compilation video of those fast turns that have been called suicide gibes, but might not really be.

RedSky - 14-12-2012 at 12:15 AM

RedSky - 14-12-2012 at 05:10 PM

BeamerBob - 14-12-2012 at 05:25 PM

go to your user control panel and change the number of posts per thread and that should unlock it. You can do a really big number and most threads will only have one page.

erratic winds - 14-12-2012 at 10:56 PM

Bob-hope you sent that to him in PM...cause he couldn't see it if he can't see the final page :roll:

BeamerBob - 17-12-2012 at 09:19 PM

Here is the video of my best run last time out.

thanson2001ok - 18-12-2012 at 08:29 AM

You rock. What else is there to say!

Thanks for sharing. Gotta see if I can get to NABX to ride with you.

BeamerBob - 18-12-2012 at 10:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by thanson2001ok
You rock. What else is there to say!

Thanks for sharing. Gotta see if I can get to NABX to ride with you.


Thanks! Todd it's location, location, location. Before I rode at Ivanpah, my high speed was 35 mph. It's a huge learning curve to get to ride there every time out. I posted this not as a "look at me" thing, but to try to share the experience of having a place like that to ride and to show that runs over 50 mph aren't really that traumatic. Also realize that when I ride with Brian Holgate in his little XR+, he routinely stays right with me with one or the other having an edge at any given time. It's not till the speeds get over 50 mph that he starts to run into limitations of the small buggy. In my buggy I can also handle gusts at that speed more easily. Bottom line, with miles and hours on the lakebed, 40-50 mph is within reach of virtually anyone.

RonH - 18-12-2012 at 08:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Here is the video of my best run last time out.


Must just suck to run out of lakebed in under 2 minutes!!!

Ron

BeamerBob - 18-12-2012 at 08:39 PM

We had an unusual Southerly wind that day and it had us running straight across the most narrow part of the lakebed. The hard part is that the best wind was consistently with about a half mile left so the best runs were right up close to the interstate to either slow down or just roll through the turn.

I'm working on a compilation video right now of the full speed downturns. I have video of 8 or so turns, some really smooth and some with some slack in the lines. Coming soon!

MDK - 18-12-2012 at 09:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
We had an unusual Southerly wind that day and it had us running straight across the most narrow part of the lakebed. The hard part is that the best wind was consistently with about a half mile left so the best runs were right up close to the interstate to either slow down or just roll through the turn.

I'm working on a compilation video right now of the full speed downturns. I have video of 8 or so turns, some really smooth and some with some slack in the lines. Coming soon!


looking forward!

BeamerBob - 19-12-2012 at 09:15 AM

Ok, this is my first foray into editing video. I didn't take great pains with it, just trying to trim down the running and concentrating on the turns. There is also a cool clip or 2 of Wexler and I running together thrown in.

Just watching the video footage, I can see how to improve and smooth out the turns even more. Always something to learn.

MDK - 19-12-2012 at 11:24 AM

love it!

BeamerBob - 11-1-2013 at 03:18 PM

Had a great run yesterday. Was hoping for a day of epic winds but the big stuff didn't come through till sunset and brought so much dust with it due to a 90 degree wind direction change, it was not safe to run wide open. I had a well earned top speed of 54 mph, but my moment of pride was increasing my most miles traveled in a day to 94. Now I have to break 100 miles next time I have a day full of wind. I flew the 9m Phantom II the entire day. I would've been fine with the 12 m except for the final half hour. I really hate wasting the time of changing kites and knew the 12m would get out of hand quickly with 50 mph gusts in the forecast so erred to caution with the 9. In the last half hour, I'd have been well powered with the 6m as it turned out. I still feel lucky to have such a great place to ride!

snowspider - 12-1-2013 at 03:31 PM

I guess I do have a bucket list and the only thing on the list is to fly with you guys on the lake beds!

BeamerBob - 24-2-2013 at 04:14 PM

Heavy winds today on Ivanpah. When I got there winds seemed to be upper teens to lower 20s but promised to be much more. I started out on the 9m Phantom II and got launched in time for Brian Holgate's last run in the speed buggy before he had to leave for work. We hit 48 something on that first run out. He was flying a 7m Fury LEI. It really looked stable in the air. I want to put in a lap or 2 with that kite in the right winds to see how it feels.

Later I had a run of 62.1 still with the 9m but only got one more run in before the 9 became too much since I had trouble slowing and turning after a run. I went back in and traded down to the 6m as the winds increased. I had 4 more runs with it over 60 mph but didn't go over the 62.1 again.

The winds were out of the north and very punchy today. The 9m has much more speed available if the winds are more smooth. A nice smooth 30-35 mph wind might be the ticket to ratchet up the speed another few notches. I put in 40 miles in the tough conditions and lived to ride another day!

It was good to see Kent from AWOC, greasehopper, along with John from Phoenix and another local Steve. Also good to get one run in with Brian but it just made me want a day out there to push each other.

MDK - 24-2-2013 at 08:01 PM

so if you had breaks would you have kept the 9m in the air?

greasehopper - 24-2-2013 at 09:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob

It was good to see Kent from AWOC, greasehopper, along with John from Phoenix and another local Steve. Also good to get one run in with Brian but it just made me want a day out there to push each other.


Always a pleasure, great time, wish I could have hung around a bit longer.

awindofchange - 24-2-2013 at 10:26 PM

Awesome day. I just got back home. I logged over 120 miles between yesterday and today. Best speed I could muster was 55.92, still plenty fast for this old guy. It was sure nice to see ya Bob, Ken, John, Steve, Marty, Dave, Jim and everyone else that was there. Our Blokart demo day was a huge hit with tons of people riding, learning and enjoying. What an awesome weekend...now if it was just a couple degrees warmer! :) Saturday's dinner was also awesome. Thanks to everyone who pitched in and made this such an awesome weekend.

BeamerBob - 25-2-2013 at 07:45 AM

MDK its like skydiving, its not the going that worries me when I'm totally overpowered, its the stopping. The winds were too much for me to have the confidence to do suicide turns yesterday. I can always eventually get the buggy turned upwind if I can ease the kite up high. The old advice to keep the kite low and turn upwind just doesn't work at that level of conditions. The buggy just slides sideways. But if I ease the kite up high, then I can get the buggy turned upwind and all is good. At 60+ mph Ivanpah is just big enough for a run. :wow:

MDK - 25-2-2013 at 09:31 AM

Bobby, I'm with ya, but what I am wondering and I should have been more clear, is that if you had brakes on your bug to assist in slowing down would you have kept the 9m in the air and reached for higher speeds? just thinking of the possibilities.

BeamerBob - 25-2-2013 at 11:11 AM

Yes, with brakes I could put the hammer down with the large kite and still be able to stop if the gust doesn't subside before I run out of room. The speed buggy has a disc brake on the front wheel and I can tell when Brian uses it because the buggy slows unnaturally.

There is a big gap in the power of the 9m and 6m Phantom IIs. There really needs to be a 7m instead of a 6m. I think the 6m would need winds of 40 mph plus to be really loaded up with power. The 9m is over the top before then. Winds were low 20s gusting to the mid 30s.

Someone out there has the knowhow to be able to design a disc brake for our application. I wouldn't want to use caliper brakes on the landsegler wheels because the pads would rub off the anodized finish. Attaching to the fork wouldn't be a problem but it seems that the disc itself would have to be designed into the hub.

Only those of us going fast on dry lakebeds really need this application because on a sandy beach, its no problem to slide sideways to get rid of speed and choke the kite. It's scary to smell rubber burning with the interstate looming a hundred yards away.

bigkid - 25-2-2013 at 11:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
It's scary to smell rubber burning with the interstate looming a hundred yards away.

Guess you need to work on your skills, your at the right speed, all you have to do is merge.:P
Besides, we don't need no stinking brakes.:lol:

BeamerBob - 25-2-2013 at 11:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigkid
Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
It's scary to smell rubber burning with the interstate looming a hundred yards away.

Guess you need to work on your skills, your at the right speed, all you have to do is merge.:P
Besides, we don't need no stinking brakes.:lol:


Maybe I can follow you around at NABX and you can bring my skills up a notch?

MDK - 25-2-2013 at 12:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Yes, with brakes I could put the hammer down with the large kite and still be able to stop if the gust doesn't subside before I run out of room. The speed buggy has a disc brake on the front wheel and I can tell when Brian uses it because the buggy slows unnaturally.

There is a big gap in the power of the 9m and 6m Phantom IIs. There really needs to be a 7m instead of a 6m. I think the 6m would need winds of 40 mph plus to be really loaded up with power. The 9m is over the top before then. Winds were low 20s gusting to the mid 30s.

Someone out there has the knowhow to be able to design a disc brake for our application. I wouldn't want to use caliper brakes on the landsegler wheels because the pads would rub off the anodized finish. Attaching to the fork wouldn't be a problem but it seems that the disc itself would have to be designed into the hub.

Only those of us going fast on dry lakebeds really need this application because on a sandy beach, its no problem to slide sideways to get rid of speed and choke the kite. It's scary to smell rubber burning with the interstate looming a hundred yards away.

exactly what I was thinking :)

MDK - 25-2-2013 at 01:15 PM

maybe we should ask Aram what this is?

bigkid - 25-2-2013 at 01:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Quote:
Originally posted by bigkid
Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
It's scary to smell rubber burning with the interstate looming a hundred yards away.

Guess you need to work on your skills, your at the right speed, all you have to do is merge.:P
Besides, we don't need no stinking brakes.:lol:


Maybe I can follow you around at NABX and you can bring my skills up a notch?

Nothing I can teach you that you don't already know, I'll just ride on the back and tell you what to do. I can drive from the back seat as well as the next guy.:lol:

As for the brake, the installation of the rotor and caliper is a no brainer, the question is how to apply the brakes, by hand, by foot, by mouth, or by the pucker of the O muscle.

I did make a spring loaded cord that would pull one side of the fork if I left the buggy, the idea was that the buggy would go into a circling mode instead of in a strait line down the beach for a mile or so before stopping.

BeamerBob - 25-2-2013 at 02:10 PM

It's a not so infrequent problem. Kite hits max power or beyond right as I was thinking of turning around because of bushes/interstate fence (They won't give me a ramp to merge :lol: ) and the only surefire thing I've found to be able to change my direction is to take the kite high very slowly as I try to edge upwind. As each part of that starts to come together, the power diminishes, the AOA of the kite diminishes, and my upwind angle increases. I'm open to suggestions on how to do it better.

That being said, brakes should not be used to replace learning kite and buggy skills. But if you are "going for it" and that leaves you in situations where the brakes allow you to push your kite power past the edge a bit to increase max speed then it could be a good thing.

I never heard anyone talk about Brian's record and say "yeah, but he had brakes".

bigkid - 25-2-2013 at 02:42 PM

Is it me or does this sound a bit off? Is Ivanpah not big enough for you? Are you telling us that you run out of room?
this is to easy Bobby, I could run this for a long time with this:lol:

Some of us have to get our speed in a few hundred yards, and you are talking about running out of lake bed? I will bring some wire cutters and I will help make an onramp to I-15. The freeway is unending so you cant use the excuse that you run out of space.;-)
I will bring an oversized load banner for the RV. You just let me know and I will be your flag car, should be able to break the speed record by the time you get to Veges, if not I can push a little bit.:roll:
We can at least sit and drink a cold one and talk about the possibilities, I'll buy.:cool:

BeamerBob - 25-2-2013 at 03:39 PM

I'm all over the cold one opportunity. Since I like to discuss things I'll continue. :bigok:

The problem I'm talking about is not about the mile and half run distance I usually had yesterday with the wind angle we had. The issue is that the strong wind blows in particular places with regularity. You have to be in the right place at the right time to get the max speed available for the day. You have to be heading into the speed zone when the gust comes along AND be able to feel like you got the good out of it with room to slow down and turn. Yesterday, the big wind was in the last half mile at the most heading towards the eastern shoreline, so you can do the math at how fast that goes away at over 60. Worst case scenario, I could continue to trail off downwind all the way into the SE corner of the lakebed and hopefully get slowed down by then. I changed kites after 2 runs that I was concerned about getting slowed down before evasive maneuvers. My fastest run was not one of those ironically.

Wind quality has SO much to do with this. The video I posted recently of a ~54 mph run with my 12m shows how good it can be sometimes. I put away my 9m only 8 mph faster and that was due to the gusty winds we had yesterday and how smooth the winds were the 54mph day with the 12m. With high quality wind and only another 7-8 mph of wind and I'm pretty sure the 9m could pass 70.

bigkid - 25-2-2013 at 06:13 PM

You said it yourself, at 60mph, time and space ends quicker than you can imagine. I begin to think of other things at that point. Do I have the time and space? If not, than do I do it anyway? Or wait for another day with better conditions.
I remember watching Stephan and the others out at the same spot along the freeway day after day. Looked like the best spot for the chance of a record.

From where I sit, doesn't look like much to discuses, but I could be wrong.