Anyone Power Kiting in the Hudson Valley? Where do we go?jrhook - 9-9-2014 at 02:48 PM
Hey, yes and the bottom line is, IT AIN'T EASY around here!
We have hills, trees, buildings and usually all the above in close proximity. The only clean wind to be found around here, unless you're on the
Hudson, is in HUGE open corn fields. And that is also affected by the surrounding mountains we lovingly call the Catskills. The school fields have
their size limitations and now, of course, time of day. With fall back, after school happenings and weekend games take even those out of the picture.
The best hope for us, is to get a lot of snow and seek permission from landowners to kite on their property. Offering them a waiver, or better yet,
doing chores in exchange, may go a long way. Frozen lakes are popular up north and, if you aren't worried about going through the ice, offer another
choice.
There is the Wildwood Buggy Bash coming up...this one will be my first, but they do it twice a year. Looks like a hoot for landkiters!
U2U me if you'd like to know where I've had good luck locally and even had my Apex boosted up. There isn't anywhere around here until winter to really
make use of that 7.5m There is some pretty good static flying spots where you can get a great workout and hone flying skills if the northeast wind
gods shine on us. Be ready to drop everything when that happens! - Jimcheezycheese - 9-9-2014 at 04:09 PM
Where are you in the Hudson Valley...?Psychotronic - 5-11-2014 at 01:17 PM
New to the sport, having the same issue! I am actively searching for possible locations here in lower Orange County. A few ideas, will let you know if
any pan out.indigo_wolf - 6-11-2014 at 11:27 AM
New to the sport, having the same issue! I am actively searching for possible locations here in lower Orange County. A few ideas, will let you know if
any pan out.
If you haven't already, you might want to peruse the Orange County Facilities Guide put out by the Parks & Rec.
Beatrix Pelton lives a few towns NW in Chester. She is one of the organizers of the Wildwood Kite Festival (not to be confused with the Buggy Bash),
and probably has a list of fields closer to home. You can contact her through Facebook or the Sky Festival Productions website.
Knapps View Park in Chester is where they hold their yearly kite festival. It's a bit hilly, buy might still be doable.
Believe there is also a field attached to the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, but it has been a while since I have visited it, so my recollection
of it is kind of fuzzy, but most of the folks in Sugar Loaf are fairly laid back and mellow, so I wouldn't expect getting permission to be too much of
a hassled.
If you're feeling really ambitious, you might want to check into getting permission for using the fields outside of the Mid-Orange Correctional
Facility. It was closed down in 2011. 40 acres of the facility was secured within a perimeter fence, but 686 acres were outside the secured
perimeter.
Contact info for the current property owners:
Michael Morse
Sr. Director, Strategic Business
Empire State Development
518.292.5200
Bit of trivia about the prison: "This facility was involved in a controversial case in which a correctional officer, Christopher
Nuttall, started taking in cats left astray in the area. In collaboration with inmates, he cared for the cats and fed them. He was suspended and later
fired on charges of "contraband and collaboration with inmates". Two months later, he was hired again, with the assistance of Council 82 (statewide
correction officers union)." Some things just make you smile. :D
ATB,
Samcheezycheese - 6-11-2014 at 01:15 PM
Sam, you are just amazing !!jrhook - 6-11-2014 at 04:06 PM
Cheezycheeze, We should be riding these places! The hill looks like some decent open space...I'm checking in to what wind direction look the cleanestcheezycheese - 6-11-2014 at 04:37 PM
Phsyco, are you on wheels or still flying static..?
I am on wheels -- mountainboard, specifically. Knapp's View was the place I was alluding to in my post above, and I've spent much time there over the
last 6 weeks or so.
So...on my Trampa board, and flying my trusty HQ Rush IV Pro 350, I've made several attempts at getting rolling there. And so far....it's not great.
Most of the grass/ground there is quite lumpy and bumpy, and even pointing straight downhill, I could barely get rolling. I am waiting for sufficient
snowfall to try snowkiting, as I suspect it will work much better for that.
I will reconnoiter both of the other locations mentioned above as well (Sugarloaf Arts Center and the old prison) and will report back. Also scouting
another location a bit North of there and will let you know what I find. Stay tuned.
ALSO, I think I am already outgrowing my current kite and am considering the Flysurfer Peak 2. 9m, perhaps?jrhook - 29-12-2014 at 03:13 PM
you will absolutely need a mowed field/hill to have any hope of rolling a board with that Rush Pro and your upwind potential with that will be minimal
on a landboard. Snowkiting with skis or a board could change the equation by a lot but its stability in the window will be questionable. That 9m FS
ought to solve the power problem if you feel confident enough for that as your next kite! Holy mackerel, that's quite a step up!
Keep us posted on you're progress and location scouting. Come on, SNOW ALREADY!Psychotronic - 30-12-2014 at 09:11 AM
Well, I'm a big guy at around 265 lbs., so I think stepping up to a 9m depower might be the way to go. Naturally, I will be starting a thread about it
when the time comes to decide. I suspect 6m may be a tad small for me. We'll see what the kiting community has to say about it.
I agree, I'm finding that going upwind is nearly impossible for me with my current setup, so I've been doing the walk of shame quite a bit. Also agree
about the stability in the window, or lack thereof. I've learned a lot over the last 2 months of doing this, not only just getting out there and doing
it, but also by just reading this forum!jrhook - 14-1-2015 at 03:18 PM
every now and then conditions set up enough...waiting for better wind and more snow to bust out of that football field and grab more kite
I love it! nice job. I really like the 2013 hornet. I've been trying to get my boss to sell me his 4 meter that he hasn't used for a year now.cheezycheese - 14-1-2015 at 04:27 PM
Jim you are killing it !! Way to go bro... I have a pair of snow blades. Give me a holla next time...bobalooie57 - 14-1-2015 at 04:50 PM
Very nice video, Jim! Looks like the blades are working for you. Did you grow up a skier? (I guess what I'm asking is if the blades are easy to
learn on?)jrhook - 15-1-2015 at 06:32 AM
SSayre...Yes, the Hornet was added for its forgiving handling in janky ass wind, which is about all we get. Especially Northerns! You can put that
kite anywhere! Also, it'll be great to watch the wife learn to handle some serious pull vs. the 2m which she is getting pretty good with.
Mark, more snow dude! We need more snow! When it comes, we can meet at Berger Hill if God sends us a north wind. I won't be leery of hooking in to the
Apex wilth all the space over there. At the field in the vid, I would still be trying to get that off the goalpost or out of a tree. That field will
improve dramatically with enough snow and a north or south wind.
I've been skiing for 100 or so years and picked up these blades on eBay on a hunch that they would come in handy for the exact conditions I had in the
video. Hardly any snow but just enough. They are funner than they look! Back in my day, everyone learned to ski on short little things and slowly
progressed in length each week or so. Get some blades!flyguy0101 - 15-1-2015 at 07:42 AM
that looks fun- I really need to get a kite in the air. thx for sharngaronma - 15-1-2015 at 08:37 AM
I'd like to be in on the Hudson Valley crew....If you don't mind someone including someone from NJ.bobalooie57 - 15-1-2015 at 09:58 AM
I hope you all will be able to get up to Tug Hill this Feb. Snow might be a bit deep for blades, though! http://tughillsnowkiting.com/rallyPsychotronic - 19-1-2015 at 02:03 PM
Managed to get the kite to pull me UPhill last week. I need to think about a harness, though, as my arms were beat to hell from working the kite and
hanging on in 20 mph winds.jrhook - 20-1-2015 at 03:16 AM
Aronma - anytime but the normal unpredictability of this endeavor is magnified up here. Wind direction dictates location more so than more open
space. Berger hill is a good example, IF there is enough snow, the space only works with a northerly, and that if the place isn't packed with sleigh
riders. Lakes give me the heebee jeebies unless there is a tractor trailer sitting on one to assure me. Although last year we had 14 inches of solid
so that wasn't a problem. When are you going back to Ivanpah?
Bob
Would love to get there, I'm registered and have the weekend off. Not crazy about heading up to places with huge lake affect snows in an old Jetta but
we'll see. It just over 3 hours in ideal roads. I'd love to ride out there AND film others riding. It's a freaking awesome looking location to kite.
The Norway of New York! Where do most people stay?
Psycho
The only reason I didn't have my Apex up when I shot this video is the lack of space due to just the mowed area of the field have enough snow. It's
4-5 times bigger than what I could use. I will say this though. You get a full body workout with handles even though it's a real #@%$#! trying to get
your line square to the kite. Loosing track of which direction to loop the kite happens as opposed to just spinning the bar to get lines straight.
More wind would have blown my arms out much sooner.
We should all get together and start a list of viable locations with best wind directions etc. I'm looking at Orange Lake in Newburgh as a real
opportunity. Cheezy, have you seen that sucker? We could both be there in about 30 minutes. I saw a short vid of an iceboat on it already this year so
we need to get over there and check it out man!Kober - 23-1-2015 at 06:34 PM
Anyone is planning to snowkite tomorrow ??? How about locations ? Did anyone scout some spots ? I would make a trip up North if there is good amount
of snow ..... jrhook - 25-1-2015 at 06:51 AM
.... No more need to go North .... We will get snow heaven in few days here in NJ .... lol ... But I am sure I will be coming your way this
winter sooner or later ,,,, jrhook - 26-1-2015 at 05:10 PM
Pre-Blizzard action on Sunday...my #1 accused me of PLAYING too much...is that possible? http://youtu.be/5gqPmE4xLgs Kober - 26-1-2015 at 09:55 PM
fantastic ... lol ... See you in near future ... cheezycheese - 27-1-2015 at 06:31 AM
Hey Jim, i have been eyeballing that field on Esopus. Is it good...? I might be able to get out on Sunday. But my blades probably need a waxing...jrhook - 27-1-2015 at 12:07 PM
Hey Marc, the field at Esopus Ave. is a good size IF it would just completely fill with snow! Videos I've put up show just the mowed area used for
football and soccer as being rideable for now. The non-blizzard of '15 only slightly helped that situation. That's why I haven't strung up the Apex
yet...just to hard to swing it past all the obstacles. I'm real close by so will keep you updated as to when/if that sucker opens up completely.
I've had decent rides with north or south winds over there. Let's keep on eye out for anything over 10mph steady...usually accompanied by gusts of 20+
but that's par for the course around here, right?
plinking around the other day with the 3.5 no less...
Is that Esopus Jim...? Psychotronic - 23-3-2015 at 06:52 AM
Tried the large groomed field next to Bear Mtn. Inn parking lot. Got busted 5 seconds after getting the kite up. Next. Been working Warwick County
Park. Hilly, but it works. There's a astroturf field next to Ramapo College in Mahwah, too small. Tried Ramapo's sports fields, too small.cheezycheese - 23-3-2015 at 07:50 AM
We need to have a session at LongBeach w/ABkayak. Will be the perfect primer for WWBB.... Just sayin.... Look for those south winds...abkayak - 23-3-2015 at 08:02 AM
tiss the season...im working w/ the wind gods now and asking for a proper sunday jrhook - 23-3-2015 at 11:20 AM
Next few Sunday's are good for me...early am departure required to get back up here at a reasonable hour though...waiting, watching, wishing!Psychotronic - 1-5-2015 at 08:04 AM
Hey guys, I'm nearly ready to pull the trigger on my first depower (likely a Flysurfer Peak 2 @ 9m) after wringing as much as I can out of my trainer
kite over the last 8 months. Any Orange County peeps willing to show me how to fly it? Feyd has graciously offered to do it, but I am unable to carve
out enough time (plus expenses) to go up to rural NH for a weekend.cheezycheese - 1-5-2015 at 08:07 AM
I am Dutchess county bit definitely willing to hook up and fly with you.
Shoot me a U2U with your number and we can talk. You can try my kites out also if you like. Do you have a harness.. ? Psychotronic - 1-5-2015 at 08:16 AM
No, I don't have a harness, and I have no idea what to get. Do I get a seat or waist? What brand? Any extras to consider? I'm clueless about that!cheezycheese - 1-5-2015 at 08:40 AM
It's personal preference as far as what type. What type of riding do you plan on.. ? I have a xl harness you can try if it fits you.Psychotronic - 1-5-2015 at 10:20 AM
Kiteboard on grass. I may add snow sports next year if it's in the budget. I'm a big dude, XL may not fit me. :Dcheezycheese - 1-5-2015 at 10:59 AM
Yeah, it don't fit me either at 225lbs. So I guess we both need harnesses.cheezycheese - 1-5-2015 at 11:00 AM
I have an Ozone harness that would probably fit for the purpose of static flying.Psychotronic - 1-5-2015 at 11:19 AM
Ah, so is there a difference in harnesses depending on what you're doing?cheezycheese - 1-5-2015 at 11:40 AM
Yes. There are waist harness' and seat harness'. Again the choice is preference when on a board. There are board riders from both camps. The waist
harness rides a little higher on your body. The seat harness is like a large diaper. Also provides a lower center of gravity. There are plenty of
threads on this topic. Make the search button your friend.
But you really won't know until you've tried one or the other.aronma - 1-5-2015 at 12:23 PM
Marc, Looks like Wendy is getting the hang of it quickly. Next time you head to Long Beach, give me a call on my cell. I'd meet up with you if I
can.aronma - 1-5-2015 at 12:25 PM
Meant to put that note on the meet-up post......oops.:o Psychotronic - 1-5-2015 at 01:00 PM
Right, I knew about the seat/waist, but does it matter what type of riding you're doing -- i.e.: landboard, buggy, water, snow, etc.?
