Hey everyone, This was so much fun. It had to be a gas to watch also. I was alone except for the spanish guys who were in the field And they were all
laughing. I only dumped it once. The wind was not the best in the world but I think it was perfect for a beginner.I used my 4.5 Bullet. The wind was
around 13-15mph. But it wasn't smooth. it was off and on. The smaller kite wouldn't stay in the air and my 6.4 would have been to much.So the Bullet
worked out great. Going acrossmwind was fine It was the comming back up wind that I found a little rough at first but after a couple of long walks I
kinda got the hang of it.:D Not as simple as I first thought though. You really have to know how to fly your kite To get power out of it and to get
back up wind! Most say that is the easy part. But it wasn't for me. I know someone is smiling because I was warned of those long walks. I was grinning
from ear to ear. All the way down not realizing how far away from the car I was getting. But after a couple of hours I was learning the correct path
to stay closer to where I needed to be. But when the wind shifts you don't have much choice. I could go on and on about it Every windy day will bring
something new I am sure. And I may already want higher wind so I can move faster up wind. The tricky part to that for me was having to go back with
the kite to move forward in the wind. A good learning experience. Can't wait to do it again! What kites are known for good up wind preformance? The
Bullet was very helpful today though. and so were all of you with all the helpful advise you gave me I couldn't have had the fun I did without it.
Thanks everyone and I am out.1oldkid - 27-11-2007 at 08:15 PM
Congratulations!
It’ll just get more fun as you gain experience.
Woohoo!
:singing:xxxBUGGYPILOTXXX - 27-11-2007 at 09:17 PM
Pablo - 27-11-2007 at 09:35 PM
Race kites go upwind well, I like the Brooza's as well. The Bullet should work out fine as well, they're a fairly common buggy engine.
One thing though,
underpowered = downwind
average power = mostly crosswind
well powered = wicked upwind
You'll find that in the buggy you can handle more power than you can flying static, reason for this is when you're moving if you get hit by a gust you
can simply swerve downwind to ease off on the line tension so the kite won't kick as hard, then in the lull use your momentum to get back on course.
Even launching once you get it down becomes easier. Instead of loading the snot out of my kites when flying fully lit in big winds I'll sit in the
buggy with it pointed straight downwind and hot launch, the wheels do their job and the big yank from launch turns into forward speed, as the kite
comes up, start cutting cross wind and you're booking.
With a good kite and the lines starting to sing a little you'll be able to head off pretty much anywhere in the park you want to go. If possible stay
upwind, then if the wind dies off or changes direction you have a better chance of making it back to camp.
Oh yeah, tie a tow rope to the buggy somewhere and forget about it. I suggest about 10ft of rope with a larks head style loop on each end. when you
finally give up way downwind you hook it onto the footpegs and your buggy becomes a trailer to drag your gear back to base camp.art_lessing - 28-11-2007 at 12:42 AM
I went out today also...you are right about the wind..it was very fluffy...powerful at times....like the second my buggy got onto the
asphalt....zoooom....thats a crazy ride...but on grass there was a lot of working it to keep my butt in the buggy and on the other hand getting
enough power to head back to start....today I had one OBE turned into a kneepad scud for about twenty feet..thats always fun...then I had one scary
moment when I was on the runway....the thing powered up something fierce...but I was only watching the kite and enjoying the ride..then I looked ahead
and noticed that I was cooking along....I got nervous and my knees started twitching..I felt like I was going too fast.....then without warning a huge
gust powered me up about 10 more mph......I lifted 2 feet out of the buggy (feet still in) going about 30 and dropped back in the seat ....then..as
the kite went over my head I pulled the breaks.....bad idea......because the wing dropped right behind me...I was blind to the kites local...and then
it powered up again and I was jolted to a complete stop...the wing slammed into the ground with a WOP as it was yanking me backwards...too funny!!
So I headed back to my truck after de-tangling the lines from my axle...boy pavement is fun but it catches you off guard...no friction, little sound
DQBladerunner - 28-11-2007 at 06:02 AM
The Sthrasher family will never be the same ! :tumble:
I think you will be glad you held on the that Bullet now you have a buggy ! I found it a great tool for learning ! The lack of lift was a big
advantage at 1st. Carefull when you swap out for a blade. It will tend to lift you up off your seat more easily. ( see Art's day )
Like pab's said I like to work my way upwind a.s.a.p. + carry a rope for the walk of shame.
I might have expected you to go for an ATB with your big air quest ? Sounds like you got too good a deal to pass up on the bug ? It justifies owning a
Bullet. That's reason enough !awindofchange - 28-11-2007 at 12:39 PM
Sounds like your ready to join all of us at NABX next year! Hope to see you there and BUGGY ON!!!!!!Rye - 28-11-2007 at 02:18 PM
Hey! Congrats! I mostly use the Rage line of kites for the buggy ( but many good designs out there), good power, lower lift, handles gusts well and
ok to windward in steady stuff. I cruise so am never in a rush. I also carry a tow line and a spare stake.Sthrasher38 - 28-11-2007 at 05:10 PM
Hey guys, Thanks for everything and all the support. I love reading everything everyone has to say. It makes me smile and laugh really makes my day!
This weekend I get to go to the ocean and buggy with KITESLINGER I may get some lessons in sand blasting Because the bug did not come with a splash guard.Pablo - 28-11-2007 at 05:51 PM
Sounds like someone's discovered "Apparent Winds":singing:
If you're crafty 1/2 of a 4" pvc 90deg drainpipe bend fits nicely over a standard barrow wheel making a wicked front wheel splash guard.
Glad to hear you're having fun,DAKITEZ - 28-11-2007 at 08:42 PM
I want to know where you found the wind. I haven't seen any. Congrats on the buggy ride. what beach are you going to this weekend? OB ?Sthrasher38 - 29-11-2007 at 05:20 PM
Good idea pablo I may try that. Monterey Bay I guess. It has a big hotel on the beach it has a big flag at the top can't miss it. KYTESLINGER, What is
the name or that hotel? Or the name of the beach? Thanks. Are you thinking about going dilish? I am leaving tomorrow I won't be on the beach until Sat
the 1st. and staying til mon. It's my ol ladys birthday!:tumble:Dam if I go to the beach before sun I my be made out to be the bad guy We'll see what happens she is very supportive of my kiting. I love her.Bladerunner - 29-11-2007 at 05:39 PM
I made one and it works / looks O.K. Mostly did it because I had picked Paul's brain and felt I should follow through.
I ended up ordering a Peter Lynn splash guard. It just looks more finished + was only about $18 ?
Can you say, stocking stuffer ! Sthrasher38 - 29-11-2007 at 05:52 PM
dilish. It was real windy here on tuesday. No wind there? Where is a good place to get a splash guard? And NABX Where is that held? Don't know if I am
ready for all that but it sure would be fun!!Bladerunner - 29-11-2007 at 06:41 PM
I got mine from Pablo but you may do better State side.
Here is a link for NABX. It's about 45 min. out of Vegas.
Thinking back I guess I did have wind here one day, but I was busy all week so no fly time. I want to fly this weekend and i would love to see you
guys in the buggies, but Monterey is alitttle to far for just the day for me. I have a camping trip planned in the middle of december in Sea cliff (
between monterey and santa cruz ) and we are camping right on the beach. I will be flying till my arms fall off that weekend. :singing: I just hope
my new kites arrive by then.BeamerBob - 30-11-2007 at 06:12 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by dlish89
I just hope my new kites arrive by then.
New kites? What new kites? They need to go in your sig as in transit.DAKITEZ - 30-11-2007 at 08:24 AM
I did the Pansh wholesale deal so I have 20 kites coming. I'm not going to keep them all, but I will keep one of every ace.
Because the bug did not come with a splash guard.
We'll see what happens she is very supportive of my kiting. I love her.
