Power Kite Forum

More power one way than the other?

Bladerunner - 11-5-2016 at 03:03 PM

The talk about wind density and all has me thinking about another phenomena I experience at times.

Often I will be riding in a park or beach and seem to have more power heading one direction the other.

I don't think I am getting my angle wrong and am able to play with correcting it but some days I just seem more powered one way?

Can anybody explain what is happening? It is one of those things I have just accepted. Like the same wind speed packing more punch on certain days.

bigkid - 11-5-2016 at 04:12 PM

It's because your right handed, everybody knows that.:D

Feyd - 11-5-2016 at 04:57 PM

I'd put money on your angle relative to the wind.

WELDNGOD - 11-5-2016 at 05:46 PM

One way races in bearings????

IFlyKites - 11-5-2016 at 06:15 PM

I think it may be because we are used to riding more, "efficiently" one way than the other.

Similar to riding goofy or regular for stance on a snowboard. I'm regular; when I try riding goofy I tend to be less concentrative of how I use my edges thus changing my speed, riding characteristics etc.. I suppose a similar effect could be said while in a buggy.

Randy - 11-5-2016 at 07:16 PM

How about gravity - if there is even a small slope in one direction (and that can be hard to spot) can make a difference.

pbc - 11-5-2016 at 07:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd  
I'd put money on your angle relative to the wind.


The slightly downwind is always faster than slightly upwind.

BeamerBob - 11-5-2016 at 08:16 PM

I've felt the same thing before. I have tracks on the ground to notice I'm being consistent and usually a flag as an indicator of running perpendicular to the wind on cruising sessions with not enough power to get dragged into a broad reach, and yet one direction is measuring a bit faster.

Could be a slight imperceptible change in elevation or I'm hitting the rivers of wind more advantageous in one direction. Or just getting the angle not as matched as I think I am.

RedSky - 11-5-2016 at 08:39 PM

flat tyre ?

bigkid - 11-5-2016 at 10:26 PM

One eye is more dominant.
I'm with Feyd, angle the wind a few degrees and it makes a big difference in direction speed. Don't know of any beach that is straight as an arrow with the wind blowing 90 degrees to it.
Many times I have found different areas of the beach were faster or slower in one direction and not the other direction. Up the beach took only a few minutes while the return trip was twice as long. Turn around and repeated the same outcome.
Onshore wind, dunes, no dunes, zig-zag up the beach, sand, flat rocks, puddles, creeks, people, cars, kids, dogs, sand castles, hole leading to China, and a few other things tend to slow down a perfectly fine run down the beach.

abkayak - 12-5-2016 at 05:27 AM

im w/ a few degrees difference in the wind...there is always a downwind and an upwind even if its slight

bengineer - 12-5-2016 at 10:52 AM

I've had that sensation before while using the buggy on a flat ball field where I could steer any direction. I thought it might be something about my kite being better on one tack than the other.

Demoknight - 12-5-2016 at 11:01 AM

I have noticed that before, but I really think it is just that there is a slight difference in wind direction from what you perceive. You are probably just running slightly upwind or downwind in one direction so you can ride straight down the beach. It might not be easily perceivable by you when you stand still or even have a flag or streamer up to see it, but once you get riding and the apparent wind kicks in, it is there.

ssayre - 12-5-2016 at 01:44 PM

I haven't really noticed this exactly, but I'm in large square fields free of trying to follow a certain line. However, I have noticed that right at the same spot on the field I will sometimes get a burst of wind. I'll go back and forth several times and seem to catch increased wind near the same area even though I'm surrounded by corn fields and doesn't have an obvious reason for it. The spot can move from session to session.

nate76 - 12-5-2016 at 02:34 PM

I've noticed this too; I've chalked it up to cutting more upwind in one direction than the other - even when I don't think I am. A lot of times I find myself avoiding an obstacle like a shoreline, treeline, end of the park etc that comes up quicker from one direction than the other. And even though it feel likes like your tacks are pretty symmetrical, a couple degrees can make a big difference if you start cutting harder upwind more one way than the other.

That's what I've always felt was going on anyway. I'm glad to see its not just me though!

Bladerunner - 12-5-2016 at 03:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by nate76  
I've noticed this too; I've chalked it up to cutting more upwind in one direction than the other - even when I don't think I am. A lot of times I find myself avoiding an obstacle like a shoreline, treeline, end of the park etc that comes up quicker from one direction than the other. And even though it feel likes like your tacks are pretty symmetrical, a couple degrees can make a big difference if you start cutting harder upwind more one way than the other.

That's what I've always felt was going on anyway. I'm glad to see its not just me though!



Exactly were I am at with this.
It has never really been a problem. I was just pretty sure I wasn't the only one who has experienced this. That maybe there was some explanation I was missing.
It has happened to me on Ivanpah so I am glad to here Bob has had a similar experience.

skimtwashington - 12-5-2016 at 07:28 PM

I think it because we are not 100% bilateral. One side is just slightly bigger than the other. When the wind blows on one side of your body there is less drag than when you turn a go the other was and wind blow on your other slightly bulkier side. The thinner side better diverts wind drag around you and goes just a bit faster facing the wind than when it hits you bulkier side.

:roll: :P


abkayak - 13-5-2016 at 05:51 AM

interesting concept...so which is your thinner side?
and would it be the same in the southern hemisphere?

skimtwashington - 13-5-2016 at 06:33 AM



Quote:

interesting concept...so which is your thinner side?and would it be the same in the southern hemisphere?



I'm a righty...so I'll guess my left side?

Southern hemisphere..? I only know the water in your commode spins the other way....unless you know something else....

nate76 - 13-5-2016 at 06:39 AM

When in doubt, blame Coriolis Effect.

Devoted - 15-5-2016 at 08:30 PM

If you go left...and your right breakline is a few mm shorter than left...and go downwind while your stance is upwind...and you listen to this crap and are checking your linelenghts as we speak...than it has to be the angle you are riding in