So Saturday was quite the day for learning how to buggy. Even got some GoPro video footage on my helmet. Check it out! I apologize for the somewhat indecent footage. The sky was kinda overcast and the way the camera caught the sun it kinda screwed up the footage. If you are epileptic, this might not be the video for you.

Link removed.

Overall, the day was excellent. Wind was strong, and I got to learn that much more on the buggy. This was the first time that I've had the Flow in 20 mph+ winds. It was also the first time I've ever buggied on sand and had my first power slides. (This was surprisingly frightening the first few times it happened) Even if it isn't the best footage of buggy skills, it sure does show the Flow at its best, and you can see my homemade turbo bar and how it's working out!


Now I have a few questions;
1. Is it just me or is it easier to gain higher speeds on flat grass than on sand. The sand at Maumee Bay is very coarse, almost like extremely tiny rocks, but at the same time it is not hard packed. I found it extremely hard to gain any speed because once the kite started to pull a lot, I felt the buggy drifting to the side instead of gaining speed. On grass I feel that I would have been tearing it up.

2. Would different tires save the day in a situation like this? I was using a friend's standard Flexi buggy with the standard tires. Is this the reason that big foot tires are needed on sand?

3. What should I do to improve? Am I doing something wrong? I noticed after watching the video that I didn't keep the kite mostly in the power, but like I said before, if I did so all it wanted to do was slide and I couldn't go anywhere.

Enjoy the video and please comment!

ride on the low tide hard pack. If is not hard pack ,you will need BFs.

Unless there are some catastrophic geological changes, Lake Erie isn't going to have any low tide hard packed sand. I think the difference between low and high tide is a matter of inches. Why do BF's make all the difference? More surface area contacting the sand so less chance to slide?

You guys are killing me with the buggy and board videos. I'm about to just go out and sit in my buggy. Maybe I'll ride it down a hill or something.

But really, thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a good time. Can't help with your questions, I don't have the skills yet.

erik--i go faster on the grass than the sand, but ive gotten good speed on the beach as well--i have no answer for #2 as ive never used bf tires --on #3, you kind of answered your own question there, the kite wasnt in the power zone for the most part--i was watching you and the buggy wasnt pointed in the direction to move you forward either,hence the side slides--youre progressing well, but youre still a bit apprehensive --once you get a monster speed run,you'll be hooked bigtime

There is some very good buggy information at ths following site

www.coastalwindsports.com

Cheers

The bigfoot tires disperse the weight better allowing you to stay on top of the loose sand instead of sinking in.

Hi Jovver, I buggy on the shore of L. Ontario, so I know how it is without tide to help pack the sand. I find my best rides are when the wind comes off the water, and I can ride as close to the water as possible, this is where the sand is hardest. I ride Southwick Beach State Park, and wind is often out of the west, in fact the beach was formed due to the wind/wave action at this end of the lake. Too much wind(?) though, pushes the water closer to shore, forcing you to kite close to the trees that grow in the dunes! Short lines come in handy here. If you can get to your spot on a day where the wind is off the water, ride as close to the edge as you can, you'll have a blast!

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Originally posted by Jovver Now I have a few questions; 1. Is it just me or is it easier to gain higher speeds on flat grass than on sand. The sand at Maumee Bay is very coarse, almost like extremely tiny rocks, but at the same time it is not hard packed. I found it extremely hard to gain any speed because once the kite started to pull a lot, I felt the buggy drifting to the side instead of gaining speed. On grass I feel that I would have been tearing it up. 2. Would different tires save the day in a situation like this? I was using a friend's standard Flexi buggy with the standard tires. Is this the reason that big foot tires are needed on sand? 3. What should I do to improve? Am I doing something wrong? I noticed after watching the video that I didn't keep the kite mostly in the power, but like I said before, if I did so all it wanted to do was slide and I couldn't go anywhere.

Soft stuff be it pebbles, shail, or soft sand is coped with better is you have midis or bigfoots on....the trick is to build you speed up on the harder ground if you can first...when we do the Mable to Skeggy run about 18 miles each way, we are running over all types of surfaces, soft sand and fine pebbles...if you stood on them you sink in a few inches...BUT, I have often done the run on barrows...keep the momentum going keep the power in your kite....in the power zone...

Barrows on all surfaces I am on barrows in this video

Man, what a ride, unfreaking believable. You went thru all sorts of terrain, I mean blasted thru.
I'd have a spare tire on those trips.

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Originally posted by Hardrock Man, what a ride, unfreaking believable. You went thru all sorts of terrain, I mean blasted thru. I'd have a spare tire on those trips.

lol, imagine the wind dropping off..and an 18 miles walk of shame....nightmare

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Originally posted by popeyethewelder ... lol, imagine the wind dropping off..and an 18 miles walk of shame....nightmare

Now that would suck!! lol

As for the side-slipping problems you were having, I often run into that when I'm on the beach and getting a little over-powered. What I do in those situations is point my front tire at the kite just a hair, so that you are going in line with the kite. Your tires will grip a little bit better. Then swing against the kite to keep your line. Having wider tires will probably help on those soft conditions though, no argument there.

Oh, and my fastest run was on the beach. Grass just isnt nearly as fast, from what I've seen. Course, have not ridden in a Sod Farm for quite some time...

i know this is pretty random but...
what is that first song called?

All 3 songs are by DJ Mangoo. The first is by far the most popular; it's called "Eurodancer." The second is "Screw Me" followed by "The Melody."

For me I've tried to ride soft sand with my midis and they would just sink in and then slide sideways. The bigfoot tires tend to stay on top and just roll on top even in sand that is hard to walk in.

ok i gotta ask.
in the video what is that black dot on the sun.
it was bothering me haha

I would guess with the halo around the sun it is a filter block or something. But just a guess.

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Originally posted by XdisasterXdrewX ok i gotta ask. in the video what is that black dot on the sun. it was bothering me haha

its just the way go pro cameras are--dont know if it was corrected on the hd

the black dot is often digitally inserted to keep the whole frame from being washed out.

my digi cam does it to. More likely it is the inability of the CCD to translate an intensity that high. Kind of pushes it off the chart, so to speak. At least that is what I always thought.It seems all the digi cams I have used were like that, even my Flip.

Quote:

ok i gotta ask. in the video what is that black dot on the sun. it was bothering me haha

I'm pretty sure the GoPro has the ability to reveal that the sun is in fact a disguised black hole. :smug: We're all done for...

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Originally posted by Jovver Quote: ok i gotta ask. in the video what is that black dot on the sun. it was bothering me haha I'm pretty sure the GoPro has the ability to reveal that the sun is in fact a disguised black hole. :smug: We're all done for...

I kind of figured thats what it was. lol

Quote:

Originally posted by Jovver Quote: ok i gotta ask. in the video what is that black dot on the sun. it was bothering me haha I'm pretty sure the GoPro has the ability to reveal that the sun is in fact a disguised black hole. :smug: We're all done for...

lovely...... i finally get good at kiting and cygnus x-1 comes along............