Power Kite Forum

GT first ride

cheezycheese - 17-7-2018 at 08:57 AM

So after having it sitting in my living room for a few weeks, I finally got this thing on the beach. Wow... night and day from anything I have experienced before. I dont know where to start...
I didn't have a lot of time because weather turned out to be nicer than expected. So by the time the beach was clear enough tide was on its way back in. Lots of onshore winds at this beach, so sand was full of seaweed and other debris. Not the best conditions but I was riding no matter what. That said... It was friggin great. This thing rides soooo smooth. Fits like a glove with my harness on. No rattles and squeaks as every connection point is bolted. I am still waiting to receive a small fork for the Landseglers, as well as a set of bigfoots. Running the Landsegler in the wide fork was a bit twitchy on the front end. Like flying a 6m on a 15m bar. But all in all amazing first impression. Enough to relieve the sting from the price of admission.



cheezycheese - 17-7-2018 at 09:15 AM

Was so eager to ride I didn't start my strava or Gopro. All i have is some crappy cell phone video.
https://youtu.be/FfD1nYZapNA

jeffnyc - 17-7-2018 at 10:00 AM

That thing is even more impressive in real life. You looked like you were booking, even in all that bumpy garbage.

That seaweed was pretty impressive too. By the time I left, the waves had turned black with it - I tried to rinse my board, and came out covered in it.

Congrats on the new toy! Always great to see ya.

cheezycheese - 17-7-2018 at 10:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jeffnyc  
That thing is even more impressive in real life. You looked like you were booking, even in all that bumpy garbage.

That seaweed was pretty impressive too. By the time I left, the waves had turned black with it - I tried to rinse my board, and came out covered in it.

Congrats on the new toy! Always great to see ya.


Great to see you and meet Dave. I saw him finally get up on the water with his 15m. I was totally booking. Bigfoots would have been better. No gps, but I know my old PB is gone. Down by the west end where the beach was clean it was really gusty. Turbo boost was crazy right before the rock wall. :D

jeffnyc - 17-7-2018 at 10:57 AM

Yeah - that end section was the only clean, flat area, and the extra wind and foam hitting me in the face made it even better. Only spot I could really crank in the bar.

David definitely gave it a good try. Those were some difficult conditions to try get past short period wind waves. And trying to muscle through on a 15m LEI was awesome insanity :D

Now you can spend the day scrubbing seaweed off your bug with a toothbrush. The fun never ends!

bigkid - 17-7-2018 at 11:24 AM

Great looking buggy and you look even better in the new bug.
I have always liked the idea of a tow handle just don't want to have to leave it somewhere. Besides if I broke down for whatever reason I would have to walk back to get the tow bar so I could tow it back to the truck. :o

cheezycheese - 17-7-2018 at 11:33 AM

Thanks Jeff. Its feels better too. First session I didn't hurt after. Was very impressed with the perfect fit having placed the order solely by email. Buying from a vendor I have never met. However Rich gave a good recommendation so I new I was in good hands. For anyone considering a new bug GT is certainly worth looking at. They have a new model coming out GT Raw that is a bit smaller for cruising and tricks. Base price not much more than a PL.

Windstruck - 17-7-2018 at 12:24 PM

Man, that buggy is gorgeous! Well played young man, well played. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

cheezycheese - 17-7-2018 at 01:41 PM

Thank you sir :thumbup:

Kamikuza - 17-7-2018 at 04:41 PM

That is very nice...

Juan - 17-7-2018 at 08:52 PM

Looks awesome! Have fun with your new toy!!!

cheezycheese - 18-7-2018 at 04:11 AM

Thanks guys :thumbup::thumbup:

GT first ride w/Bigfoots

cheezycheese - 2-8-2018 at 06:25 AM

All I can say is, riding this thing makes me feel like what I did before was something other than kitebuggying. Not knocking my PL buggy, but at 6' and 220lbs I always felt cramped in my PL. I have stomach issues, so sitting in the fetal position while riding always kept my seat time short. Not to mention I was always afraid of being yanked out. This buggy gives you the confidence to go. Yesterday winds were in the upper 20's and gusty. Not to mention the tide never really went out as the wind was dead onshore and blowing hard. So we were dodging waves the whole time. Not much room to ride here, but still more fun than a barrel of monkeys. This buggy is heavy and stout. The axle alone weighs about as much as my PL bug. However it feels as nimble as a ballerina. I have never ridden in winds that high, but sitting deep in the cradle gave me a ton of confidence. I know in prime conditions this thing is gonna be fun. Even in yesterday's sketch fest I managed 34.8 mph. I know with those high winds I could have done more, but played it safe. I was flying 6m Phantom for first time and it was a handful. You really cannot feel this kite in the air, so keeping an eye on it is key as it moves around so fast. Not to mention it was jellyfishing and oscillating which kinda freaked me out. The duro bigfoot tired are amazing. Soaked up bumps and ruts like they weren't there. Never thought I would ever say I can't wait for summer to end. :D


BeamerBob - 2-8-2018 at 06:44 AM

Looks to be perfect for you. Nothing inspires confidence like having a buggy that is never the weak link. GT seems to be the one to buy if you want the best these days. I hope to get to share a beach with you one of these days!

cheezycheese - 2-8-2018 at 06:47 AM


https://youtu.be/m5y5h9Qytrg

Quick clip from yesterday. My camera fogged up, so most footage is trash. On second half you can see how the kite was behaving.

cheezycheese - 2-8-2018 at 06:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob  
Looks to be perfect for you. Nothing inspires confidence like having a buggy that is never the weak link. GT seems to be the one to buy if you want the best these days. I hope to get to share a beach with you one of these days!


For sure Bob. Hopefully I can do JIBE next year :thumbup:

jeffnyc - 2-8-2018 at 09:59 AM

The shot from the wheel mount reminds me of those cam shots of booster rockets as they disengage. Glad we didn't see any of that here...

soliver - 2-8-2018 at 08:56 PM

Very Awesome Marc!... Yes, you should come to JIBE.

cheezycheese - 3-8-2018 at 06:06 AM

Thanks Spence :thumbup:

mougl - 3-8-2018 at 10:51 AM

Awesome man!!! Glad to see you are getting some seat time in the new ride. Please send some of that sweet onshore wind my way! Mine is still in the garage LOL

Demoknight - 3-8-2018 at 12:21 PM

I am jealous! I have been lusting after a GT for a few years now. If I didn't just buy a Blokart, I would say this post of yours would be the straw that broke the camel's back and convinced me to go for it.

cheezycheese - 3-8-2018 at 12:30 PM

You won't regret it :thumbup:

cheezycheese - 3-8-2018 at 12:31 PM

@Mougl - sorry to hear that. Don't worry, Labor day not far off. Empty beaches.

mougl - 8-8-2018 at 06:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by cheezycheese  
@Mougl - sorry to hear that. Don't worry, Labor day not far off. Empty beaches.



The beach on Marco Island is usually pretty empty, just no wind lately! :lol:

jeffnyc - 9-8-2018 at 08:03 AM

Is the red tide by Sanibel hitting you there mougl? Looks pretty devastating.

aronma - 11-8-2018 at 07:11 AM

Cheese, that looks like an amazing ride. Looks like Rich's beach speed record is going to be in jeopardy. Looks like you made a great investment. Take good care of it....I claim first dibs on this in the used buggy market ;)

24K_Hugs - 15-8-2018 at 12:33 PM

Hey Cheezycheeze and JeffNYC!

I am in NYC and really want to find a beach nearby to learn to landboard.
What beach do you guys go to that has hard sand like in your video?
I have tried flying and boarding in van Cortlandt park but the wind was way too choppy to keep my kite controlled.

cheezycheese - 15-8-2018 at 12:46 PM

24K, shoot me a U2U with your number.

mougl - 18-8-2018 at 08:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jeffnyc  
Is the red tide by Sanibel hitting you there mougl? Looks pretty devastating.


Sorry for the delay, just saw this.


Yes. The red tide here is terrible! They have given the green light to go into the water at a couple of local beached but I am not risking it. I have a friend that lost a leg when this happened a few years ago and I am not about to risk it myself.

jeffnyc - 18-8-2018 at 07:00 PM

Sorry to hear mougl. Such a beautiful coastline there.