As I contemplate the idea of adding a buggy to my quiver of toys, I'm wondering, is mellow riding is hard on the lower back?
Scott

Hey Scott, I have not noticed any problems with the lower back since I started to use the buggy. When your sitting in the buggy, you sit low and the seats have some support for the lower back area. Its the upper back that would sustain injury from the pulling of the kite but even that doesn't happen that much if you pay attention to what your doing. With "mellow riding" you should not have a problem with either.. But also keep in mind,, its the wind conditions that determine whether or not its going to be mellow riding........

I actually find buggyin to be a benefit for my lower back. One of the most common ailments for lower back pain is abdominal muscles not being strong enough. If you are able to buggy often enough, it does help strengthen those muscles. And (IMHO) it sure beats the hell out of most other forms of exercise. But, that is for me. Not everyones situation is the same for sure.

p.s. I wouldn't be too concerned about keeping it "mellow" :wink2:

I have always had a bad back, and found kiting to be very good for it.

In the buggy, with a good quality harness, a good seat with high back support and a back rest.

I have never had any trouble at all, apart from the usual aches we all get when we havn't been out for a few weeks

Same thing here, I had major problems with my lower back, got into kiting and now that it's strenghtened up I feel way better. One thing i do do though is to ride with a seat harness and a buggy with a high back/siderails. This gives me great back support and with the pull coming from nice and low on my body with the high side rails the pull is transferred directly to the buggy. So no real strain on the body, I can buggy for a solid 4-5 hrs at a go this way.

I find the Libra buggy with a nice snug fit to be perfect for this. I do feel a fair bit sore after having a go in a PL or Flexi buggy. I think though that after some time I might get used to it.

Same here, no trouble with the lower back and it is good for the muscles. The Peter Lynns have slightly less support in the lower back than the Flexis. I solved that by putting a stadium seat in the PL.

By Stadium seat I mean the kind with two sqare non-rigid cusions hinged on one edge and braced by an adjustable strap on each side from top rear to bottom front corner.

Conforms to the seat well and holds up the back when adjusted just right. $15 at the camping store.

I keep forgetting about those, I've still got to dig one up somewhere and try it out in the XR+, The Supertruck is simply too big/stable for freestyle. I'd love to start abusing the XR+ with some tricks.

This was my number one concern when I first started. I have a history of fractured lower with L5-S1 still very displaced. Like the others, I have not found any issues. However, I did customize my PL XR+ seat to provide better support.

At now age 50, I find that it is other parts that fatigue and get sore much sooner than my back after a long day of buggying. For these I have found that the NABX medicinal treatment of choice, top fuel supplements, works excellent for me. I am just really careful not to have any OBE's :D

It was also a concern of mine as I suffered for years. For a permanent cure you may want to try finding any and all books by Dr. John Sarno. (Especially his book caled the Mind-body prescription) Worked for me and tens of thousands of others... A prescription of NABX, Shot car fuel, and the Sarno books are a sure fire cure....
If anyone has questions regarding Sarno's work, please feel free to contact me directly with a u2u message as this is not he proper forum for this stuff....

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I feel more confident now about moving towards a buggy purchase. With a lack of real snowfall this might just be my ticket out of the winter blues.
Anyone know someone who would trade for a Blade 3 10.5?
I want a buggy!
Scott