Power Kite Forum

New Buggy Personal Best!

BeamerBob - 11-3-2012 at 05:22 PM

I took the boys to Ivanpah today for what was supposed to be a cruise around day with 15 mph winds out of the SSW. Both of us bumped up our fastest speeds with more wind than the weatherman knew was coming.

Wexler is now up to 53.8 mph just shy of my previous best. He was in the Hero PTW buggy flying an HQ 7m Montana VI. He also wore out an almost new front tire. This is going to get expensive! I'm very proud that Wexler is a team rider for HQ Kites. I ran the Montana later in slightly less wind and got to 52.8. The MVIIs are supposed to be faster still, so we can't wait to see what they have in store for us. I don't think this is what they were designed for exactly but they sure are sweet to fly at speed. Nice depower as well. I didn't fear getting dragged past the powerlines.

I busted my pb up to 60.9 mph. I was flying an HQ Prodigy 3.4m. Man that kite is fast. It is a faster kite than my Reactor II 3.5 but it needs just a touch more attention. But the higher strung kite was the tool for the day. Watch for a kite sale very soon. Time to kick things up a notch. The skirt blew away today so its time to get serious.

RonH - 11-3-2012 at 05:34 PM

Very Nice:bigok:

Save some for us when we get there for nabx

Ron

mougl - 11-3-2012 at 05:40 PM

Nice BB!!! Congrats to you and Wexler on the new PBs :thumbup:


That's haulin :moon:

Todd - 11-3-2012 at 05:50 PM

Congratulations to you BOTH! Awesome job :thumbup:

g00fba11 - 11-3-2012 at 05:52 PM

Way to go Bobby!!!

PHREERIDER - 11-3-2012 at 05:54 PM

60mph! nice bob! you guys are killin' it!

WELDNGOD - 11-3-2012 at 05:56 PM

:thumbup:BB .you are a bada$$

martinipro - 11-3-2012 at 05:58 PM

Congrats!! Those Montanas VII have been calling my attention! Maybe I'll get to try one at WBB.

That's crazy how often do you have to replace tires? And what tires do you use on the Hero PTW?

Cheddarhead - 11-3-2012 at 06:07 PM

Nice job to the both of you!

Kober - 11-3-2012 at 06:15 PM

I need to buy solid buggy ..... 25mph thats all I can get on KiteTrike lol..... I want to be speed demon too......

mougl - 11-3-2012 at 06:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kober
I need to buy solid buggy ..... 25mph thats all I can get on KiteTrike lol..... I want to be speed demon too......


I set my PB in a VTT Black Widow last year at JIBE. Nice bug. Not too expensive :thumbup:

You could also get a preowned XR+ and upgrade the side rails and rear axle.


Sorry for the hijack

BeamerBob - 11-3-2012 at 06:30 PM

Security that you will stay in the buggy is what's important when you get up in speed. Secure siderails help you handle the kite power that you need to go faster. Foot heel straps are HOOJ for security as well. Major difference not worrying about your feet falling off.

pokitetrash - 11-3-2012 at 06:53 PM

That's awesome dude! You'll have to share the deatails over a beer when I see you at NABX!!!

BeamerBob - 11-3-2012 at 06:54 PM

Thanks everyone for the kudos. I'm on cloud nine. :singing: It's really cool getting congrats from kiters I really look up to.

The Hero has been running on Carlisle Smoothies. That front one didn't last nearly long enough. I need to look into adding some weight up front to help him hold his line better. My Apexx came with a used set of Vredenstein V50s and I bet I have 5-600 miles on them and have smelled burning rubber on an overpowered slide for over hundred yards once. Still no threads showing.

snowspider - 11-3-2012 at 08:07 PM

60.9 +/- .05 that's some serious go fast , congrats. Looks like time on the lake agrees with you very well.

RedSky - 11-3-2012 at 08:49 PM

61mph is a big jump. Most of us would be happy with just a 0.1 increase.
I've been thinking this for a while, I reckon one day you will be the world record holder living so close to such an awesome place.

How did it feel and what was the estimated wind speed would you say ?
Is Wexier your son ?

Congratulations to you both.

BeamerBob - 11-3-2012 at 08:51 PM

This place is such a buggy school. Word is you learn more at Ivanpah in a week than you will in a year at home. I still don't worry about the buggy side of things, its being attached to a kite that can change its mind and go the other way. One time today I did a full 360 around the kite when a gust/windchange folded up the nose of the kite. I did the 360 around it to keep from scooting the kite across the playa. I was able to relaunch without ever getting out of my seat.

Winds today were 18 gusting to 25 according to NOAA.

stetson05 - 11-3-2012 at 08:57 PM

Pretty amazing. I am with Kober, I would want a better buggy before I went much over 25.

USA_Eli_A - 11-3-2012 at 09:00 PM

:bigok:

BeamerBob - 11-3-2012 at 09:26 PM

Redsky, the forecast for today was for a steady 15. What we got was 18 with gusts to 25. I'm used to the wind rolling up a bit for a burst of speed but didn't realize it was as high as 25 (weather station south of Ivanpah). It might've gone higher a few times. One thing I'm learning is that the wind isn't consistent across the lakebed. I found a slot today that I was certain the wind would be higher, and while I love running across the smooth parts of the lakebed, they didn't serve up the highest winds today. The wind direction from the SW or SSW allowed the longest possible runs and I was going to the interstate way up on the north end of the lake. I was staying in the middle of the lakebed to allow for the downwind run if a gust or steady increase pulled me harder than I could hold. Once, I was headed straight towards my car (a mile away) but the wind backed off enough to allow me to work back upwind. The magic of riding here is the long space to run and find the wind, along with the pavement hard surface.

As far as the world record goes, it is one of my long term goals. I learn a lot every time out there, and today's run was possible because of the half dozen times or more I've been over 50. Since that feels kind of normal now, my run today that felt faster than usual, wasn't really scary because it was just more of what 50 feels like. Since the winds today were fairly smooth, my run today to 60.9 was much more comfortable than my 52.8 a week or 2 ago. That was scary enough to be a world record :wow:. It's tough to come here for 5 days a year and the right wind blow for riders to meet their goals. Living here and having 45 minute access to such a place to ride at is quite an opportunity. I have the luxury of being patient and going fast on the days it is easier without having to go for the gusto with less than optimal conditions. Today was just a surprise. ;-)

I want to get more used to the race kites and the Phantom IIs on the way soon add hope to go fast when the wind kicks up. The Prodigy had a bit more speed to give than today, so we'll see what she's got next time it blows good.

ripsessionkites - 11-3-2012 at 10:48 PM

nice, very proud of you

change your gear to Vapors and Phantom IIs

nocando - 12-3-2012 at 03:30 AM

Well done Bobby and Wrexler well done

Lets see more PBs

:bouncy:

rocfighter - 12-3-2012 at 04:31 AM

WOW:o 60.9mph this is wicked fast. I have no shame telling you I have no intrest in ever going that fast in a buggy. I like to keep it under 35mph. My reflexes are not what they should be!
I can't imagine the rush of that speed. You must be wicked stoked to try for more. And please do keep pushing it and be safe.
For me and all the other pokey riders we will continue to live vicariously through you guys with HOOJ BALLZ!!

RedSky - 12-3-2012 at 06:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Redsky, the forecast for today was for a steady 15. What we got was 18 with gusts to 25.


That's amazing! You got 61mph out of 25mph wind. That's crazy.

25mph wind at my local beach gives me mid to high 40's in the buggy if I'm lucky and it has to be blowing in the right direction and the beach has to be almost perfect.

For me to get 60mph on my beach the wind has to be blowing 50-60mph.

My Pb of 66mph was done in winds of 57mph gusting to 70mph

There must be almost no rolling resistance on the lake bed!
That's incredible.

I hope to be at NABX on Saturday 7th April. I will be flying in for just the one day then flying out that same evening.

I will have to check out the flight times. Is the offer of a buggy still there?

Cheers

Tom

Bladerunner - 12-3-2012 at 06:40 AM

Way to go Bob.

I'm pretty sure that this is the year you get to have all the bragging rights in our annual challenge.

Sounds like you have had an amazing year . I feel I am falling back with so little fly time. I should be an easy mark this year !

:bigok:

chris - 12-3-2012 at 06:45 AM

Another day, another PB.

Think I'll go have a PBR :lol:

Nice work Bob & Wexler!

Looking forward to pushing my PB with you at NABX.

BeamerBob - 12-3-2012 at 07:40 AM

Thanks Chris! We need an HQ Armada on video! I might try a PBR again just to see if it should be a PB celebration refreshment. :smilegrin:

Blade you better bring your "A" game. I don't want to pass you and you say you weren't trying! I think I'd even rather you divebomb me yet again when you had the better kite choice and took advantage of it. lol

Redsky, I wouldn't be surprised for choices of buggies to be available. I'm not sure one of mine will be sitting still on nabx Saturday though. The boys and I only have the 2 days ourselves. The other 51 Saturdays you have a guaranteed ride. Can't promise the wind that day but it will certainly be the most festive day with the raffle drawing and party that night.

About the surface, I posted somewhere about doing a 360 degree turn around the kite when a shifty wind gust folded the kite up. I'm hyper conscious of this because A. I don't want it to pop back open behind me, and B. It will destroy a kite to drag it nose down at speed. I completed the circle which allowed me to sort the kite and relaunch without getting out of my seat. I might even have that on video. Haven't looked yet. The kite just fell to the ground and I instantly turned downwind and drove a circle around the kite to bleed off speed and not drag the kite. I had to put a foot down when I got back upwind of the kite. This was on 20m lines.

Roc you have to realize my pb was 35 mph before ever riding here. I remember that 35 mph run like it was yesterday. 9.5m Montana on Jekyll Island coming back to camp from the shipwreck. I knew I was going to catch on fire at any second. ;-) The speed is relative to the surface and the wide open space to go the angle you need to go to maximize the pull from that push of wind.

RedSky - 12-3-2012 at 08:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Redsky, I wouldn't be surprised for choices of buggies to be available. I'm not sure one of mine will be sitting still on nabx Saturday though. The boys and I only have the 2 days ourselves. The other 51 Saturdays you have a guaranteed ride. Can't promise the wind that day but it will certainly be the most festive day with the raffle drawing and party that night.


No problem dude. Are you on the lake bed most weekends?
BTW you will be on page one now :D

arkay - 12-3-2012 at 08:35 AM

:wee: must be the decals...:bigok:

BeamerBob - 12-3-2012 at 10:38 AM

Redsky, we go when opportunity allows. Sometimes I'll slip away with Wexler during the week for a quick couple hours and sometimes our weekends are full and no riding, but here lately it has worked out for us to go more than we are used to. If I need to, I can plan around someone coming into town (hasn't happened yet) and lock away that day for riding.
Rest assured that I got some comments from Popeye about passing him and getting on page 1 on his site all in a single pass. All in good fun. I've been more than envious of his PB for years now, thinking it must've required divine intervention. Maybe so! Was that your Dominator he did the pb in? You having the Dominator does indicate you'll fit in the Hero buggy.

Arkay, I think those decals do make me go faster. There is a revised version on the way that looks like my Avatar that I think will take me to maybe 67.25 mph. :ninja: :P (Ricardo is concerned about being in the #10 slot):thumbup:

popeyethewelder - 12-3-2012 at 02:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
(Ricardo is concerned about being in the #10 slot):thumbup:


I have sorted that out.....he is 11th now

...and yes, Bobs well onto page 1 now....I am happy, no really lol

Great Muse day out for sure

Buggy Records Page 1

More PBs at Ivanpah for the Muse Team

BeamerBob - 12-3-2012 at 02:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by popeyethewelder
Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
(Ricardo is concerned about being in the #10 slot):thumbup:


I have sorted that out.....he is 11th now

...and yes, Bobs well onto page 1 now....I am happy, no really lol

Great Muse day out for sure

Buggy Records Page 1

More PBs at Ivanpah for the Muse Team


OH, that's right. Holgate leapfrogged over him last week! He's already gunning for the top 10 list again.

RedSky - 12-3-2012 at 03:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBobWas that your Dominator he did the pb in? You having the Dominator does indicate you'll fit in the Hero buggy.


I'm not sure. I do know that Popeye somehow managed to keep up with a V8 Landcruiser speeding along at 65mph at his local beach with the dom4. :D

BeamerBob - 12-3-2012 at 04:04 PM

To hear him tell it, he was gaining on the LandCruiser too!

Cerebite - 12-3-2012 at 06:59 PM

Hey Popeye, I see a new category - best combined speed by a family :wee::singing:

Congrats to the Muses

Drewculous - 12-3-2012 at 07:43 PM

Sorry bout the late congrats, but damn Bobby! Good job!!


Push, push, push! Name of the game.. You wanna keep doin better, keep pushin! Good example here, no matter how you ride, three wheels and fast, or four wheels and Hooj! Its always good to see stuff like this posted, keeps me wanting more everytime I pull a kite out. Thanks for the inspiration, and congrats again on the pb... Thats pretty damn cool!

BeamerBob - 12-3-2012 at 08:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cerebite
Hey Popeye, I see a new category - best combined speed by a family :wee::singing:

Congrats to the Muses


You guys don't know how proud I am of Wexler. And to top it off I showed little brother Jared today and he was nervous about the implied challenge. Then he lit up when I pointed out that Wexler wasn't even riding in the buggy at 12 and he has a head start of already being able to handle himself on Ivanpah, a place that makes grown men scared. We'll see how that goes.

Thanks Drew, you nailed it. Onward and upward. I want to continue to push myself and improve my skills and knowledge about this. Thanks for the congrats.

tridude - 12-3-2012 at 09:41 PM

well done to Bobby and Wex. You have both come a long way since the Crossfire 2 dayz..............Bob, you are quickly becoming an icon of the buggy world and well deserved. One of the best ambassadors out there for our activity. I am proud and honored to call you mi amigo! muy bueno y rapido, rapido!!

BeamerBob - 12-3-2012 at 10:07 PM

Thanks tridude. That means a lot coming from one I've looked up to for 5 years now and def consider a muy amigo. You've given me advice and taught me all along the way with grace and patience.
Ambassador and icon are big shoes to fill, but if I can motivate someone because of what I've learned since attending my first nabx then I'm ok with that. Consider Ivanpah the best buggy school you could come to. My pb before attending my first nabx was 35.1 mph.

popeyethewelder - 16-3-2012 at 01:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tridude
One of the best ambassadors out there for our activity.


Never a truer word spoken, well said tridude

BeamerBob - 16-3-2012 at 02:15 PM

:embarrased:

BeamerBob - 25-3-2012 at 05:52 PM

First let me say that Itchycroth's son had an OBE today. We aren't sure what happened but he woke up laying on the playa and the kite and buggy weren't anywhere nearby. He is ok now but apparently injured his left wrist. I hope it isn't bad and heals up really fast. Today was my first time meeting him and he seems like a really cool guy.

On a more positive note, Ivanpah was ROCKING today! I started out with the 3.4m HQ Prodigy and while I was ok in the steady winds, it was too much when the big stuff rolled through. Walls of dust to show you that the big wind was coming. In this wind, pebbles would hit your upwind side. I'm guessing the gusts were hitting low to mid 30s. I got tired of surviving the gusts with the 3.4m and went in to move down to the 2m Toxic to make it just a cruising day since I wasn't really "feeling it" for going fast today even though I hit 52 mph with the Prodigya. I was never overpowered with this kite and came in to move up a notch. Launched the 3m Toxic and still wasn't powered up too much. This shows the power difference between a race kite and an intermediate kite.

After I came back in to change from the 3m, Brian Holgate arrived and coerced me to take out my now famous 2.7m Vapor. Having barely flown this kite, I was surprised at how stable and steady it was. This might be due in part to the 500 KG lines that Brian had on it for running in the speed buggy. Nevertheless, it was a joy to fly and was properly powered for the winds. The power comes on so strong and fast and the speed comes on like a jet taking off with this kite. Getting used to this power up, I made a short run out and back and started working my way upwind for a real run. On about the third run I got that pull that doesn't seem to stop and hit 63.1 mph or 101.5 kph, knocking off another of my long term buggy goals. I noticed that the Vredenstein tire on the front was showing threads as I turned around and decided to head in.

I noticed that going fast isn't so scary when you have that magic situation of well balanced power in the kite. The kite just seemed to glide when running at speed. Thanks to Brian for talking me into going out with the Vapor.

PHREERIDER - 25-3-2012 at 06:43 PM

nice bob! good read!

RedSky - 25-3-2012 at 07:29 PM

Without sounding elitist, welcome to the Elite. :tumble:

Todd - 25-3-2012 at 07:35 PM

Prayers for the injured and congratulations for the new PB BB!

BeamerBob - 25-3-2012 at 08:30 PM

Thanks guys. And Redsky I certainly will be honored to be on that Elite page even if I'll feel a bit out of place among buggiers I've admired. Having a place to ride like Ivanpah every time I go out is such a school on buggying. I guessed I would have a boost in knowledge and accomplishments but it has happened much faster than I imagined, and I'm at a level I wasn't sure I would ever reach.

popeyethewelder - 26-3-2012 at 03:50 AM

Never feel out of place on that page Bob, you have rightly earned your stripes to walk that page well done mate.

New Entry in the Elite Club

popeyethewelder - 26-3-2012 at 04:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by RedSky
Without sounding elitist, welcome to the Elite. :tumble:


Thats right Tom rub our noses in it.....lol, seriously, I think its a great Club to get in, and I know there are many people out there who would love to be in that club...soooo badly infact, not me though, no really lol

acampbell - 26-3-2012 at 06:40 AM

This is fantastic news for both you and Wexler. Bobby that's a short list you are on now and I am proud to have you both on the list of CWS riders. Long way since that first Beamer you picked up on Jekyll Island, eh?

Looking forward to seeing all y'all in a couple of weeks. Ride hard and stay safe.

Bladerunner - 26-3-2012 at 06:45 AM

Uh OH !

I am in for such a butt kicking ! I should never have started up a rivalry with you Bob.

I leave on Saturday so you better get there Friday !:Ange09:

mougl - 26-3-2012 at 06:49 AM

Good on ya BB!!! 100k is a goal of mine too but that's down the road a bit :) always awesome to hear another pilot in climbing into the elite! :thumbup:

snowspider - 26-3-2012 at 07:01 AM

:thumbup: , nice. Sounds like the dust gusts can be a bit wild.

BeamerBob - 26-3-2012 at 10:24 AM

Yes Angus, a long way from that first day with 4 lines flying the Beamer on the beach right after I got it from you. It seems even further from that first time you sat me in a buggy and I forgot almost everything I'd learned flying static. "Brakes? What are brakes?". I was horrified at the 6-7 mph I got up to as I headed down the slope of the beach towards the surf. And yes, I'm very proud to be on the CWS team. I think the next batch of team rider shirts need to be desert tan! :lol:

Popeye, thanks for your kind words and for being responsible for giving us an elite page to strive for. I'm quite honored to have my name on there.

Speaking of honor Bladerunner, it was always a source of pride that you felt me worthy to pass on the playa and then make fun of me for allowing it. Friendly rivalries are priceless and I hope ours continues for many years.

arkay - 27-3-2012 at 09:35 AM

Nice Job BB! The Ivanpah permit is something to behold. So I'm wondering... when are you moving to Holland ;)

BeamerBob - 27-3-2012 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
Nice Job BB! The Ivanpah permit is something to behold. So I'm wondering... when are you moving to Holland ;)


Thanks Arkay! Those Holland boys visit here for a reason! I'm staying right where I am for awhile. School is always in session. Buggy school here is like honors class. You are often out of your comfort zone but you come out of the steep learning curve better off for it.

ripsessionkites - 28-3-2012 at 12:53 AM

what is your speed now? hard to keep track now?

you should totally take a trip to europe, ivanpah has speed for sure, but euro offers course racing.

just tell me if you're on page one of PTW site and what your position is. hehehe. Skype me when you reach to #10.

i heard a rumour there was a mini speed race between Dino / Alex / Yourself ... someone posted it on FaceBook.

popeyethewelder - 28-3-2012 at 03:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ripsessionkites
what is your speed now? hard to keep track now?


just tell me if you're on page one of PTW site and what your position is. hehehe. Skype me when you reach to #10.



16 positions behind Rips is it Bob :wee: but lets face it.....Bob you like to jump at least 10 positions in one go, so watch your back Rips.....:moon::yes:

For Rips who cannot be bothered to check......The ELITE

(but secretly, after putting on his favorite pink pajamas, its the last thing he looks at before he goes to sleep every night)

Its Vegas right........my money is on Bob to pass you on his way to 69mph, maybe into the 70s within 12 months.....make a note of that

ripsessionkites - 28-3-2012 at 06:09 AM

Lol.

I can't count past 10 yet, and it's still to far to scroll down on my 11 and 13 Mac Air. Hehehe

I got 4 days until Beaver hits the lake on the weekend.

That means I have two days to move up a few spots and you and I are doing the buggy tandem ride.

All is good in Vegas, can we go yet.

bobalooie57 - 28-3-2012 at 06:23 AM

:o HANG ON, BOB! Go get it rip!

popeyethewelder - 28-3-2012 at 06:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ripsessionkites
Lol.


and you and I are doing the buggy tandem ride.

.


I am more than well up for that, the amount of weight I have lost this last week should help also.....I must be around your weight now.....seriously

ripsessionkites - 28-3-2012 at 07:13 AM

Get well soon, carlos.

jantie - 3-4-2012 at 01:44 PM

60+ MPH is the way to go, congrats.. :Ange09:

RedSky - 3-4-2012 at 05:39 PM

I'm posting coz I can't see page 3

jantie - 4-4-2012 at 12:44 PM

page 3 doesn't work here either..