I was recently talking with another kiter about buggying and he mentioned that in all his kiting he has probably never ridden a total of a mile backwards and has a couple thousand going forward- he likes to just cruise and go fast. Whereas my preference is to work the kite and try to execute tricks, ie ride backwards, two wheels, big powerslides, lots of turning and working the kite. I find that most of the time when i kite, i am always looking for a challenge like trying to get to all four corners of the field or area i am riding in, trying upwind turns, 360s, and a new little trick that is gauranteed to get me hurt eventually- when going forward i send the kite to zenith and behind me so that when the obe moment is getting ready to happen I pick up the front end with my straps and do a wheelie 180 - its really fun but a little sketch. So whats your deal when riding the bug?
scott
PS i aint afraid to go fast just not really an option when my longest tack is maybe 1500ft before i gotta turn

I am the go fast guy Scott speaks of . I like to buggy like driving on the interstate. I'm getting happy when the speedo passes 40 mph. I enjoy doing suicide jibes and upwind turns but those are just a way to reload and go fast again. The suicide jibe actually lets me continue to go fast while I'm turning to go back the other way. The ride is it's best when there is someone to chase me or for me to chase. There is nothing like someone running up in front of me to make me put the hammer down to catch them.

Some like to trim the grass and some like to drive the big tractor. I like mowing when there is a steady stream of clippings flying out the chute.

I shoot for medium on the pucker scale. I've seen the inside of the ICU at Maine Medical , not very restful. Puttin on the miles brings out the smiles for
me. Fully lit but under control, mostly, is what I shoot for.

I just like to go...

For me buggy time is typically few and far between, and often abbreviated. If I can get the buggy rolling continuously across my very small field and if I can go back and forth consistently, it's been a good outing. I recently have decided to start to try more than this, like suicide jibes and upwind turns, but often enough, I just get caught up in simply getting moving. Have I mentioned ATL wind is not particularly reliable?

I just say I like to cruise...

not happy unless im off the ground!!

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

I just like to go... For me buggy time is typically few and far between, and often abbreviated. If I can get the buggy rolling continuously across my very small field and if I can go back and forth consistently, it's been a good outing. I recently have decided to start to try more than this, like suicide jibes and upwind turns, but often enough, I just get caught up in simply getting moving. Have I mentioned ATL wind is not particularly reliable? I just say I like to cruise...

I HATED the cheaply lack of wind in Atlanta. If the wind ever blows it is 6mph gusting to 20... worst wind I ever flew. Since I have moved to Chicago I'd say it is rare to go more than a week without a flyable day.

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

I just like to go... For me buggy time is typically few and far between, and often abbreviated. If I can get the buggy rolling continuously across my very small field and if I can go back and forth consistently, it's been a good outing. I recently have decided to start to try more than this, like suicide jibes and upwind turns, but often enough, I just get caught up in simply getting moving. Have I mentioned ATL wind is not particularly reliable? I just say I like to cruise...

We suffer the same fate here Scott :-) Just moving on the grass here can be considered a good day. Not only do you have to get lucky to have wind, you need the right direction too!

I echo Spencers input. My sessions are so few and far between I'm happy to just be moving.

Seems to be 2 categories here, Please tell me that there are others who are like me and fit in both.
If you are underage, have sensitive ears, or dont know my background, stop reading HERE!

Depending on good day-bad day, and if my meds are doing their job or not, I can sit and watch, sit in the bug and sleep, spend all day working on my turns, try to get an OBE, going 50mph while playing in a baseball field, trying for more air while jumping the dunes, adding more line to the 300' on the kite already, or doing mach 10 with my hair on fire.
As for the Board, still working on staying on the board while moving.:D

There has to be another like me, right?

Like Spencer and Cheezy. Just happy to roll however

X4. Yep, just glad to get wheels in motion. One of these days it will click and I'll stay in motion as long as I want. That's the difference between growing up sailing versus water-skiing I guess.

Quote: Originally posted by AnnieO

X4. Yep, just glad to get wheels in motion. One of these days it will click and I'll stay in motion as long as I want. That's the difference between growing up sailing versus water-skiing I guess.

I grew up a lake rat. Been water skiing since I was 13. I've never controlled a sailboat once. I always have questions for the landsailer guys I ride with. Still don't understand their system any better than they understand mine.

Quote: Originally posted by flyguy0101

I was recently talking with another kiter about buggying and he mentioned that in all his kiting he has probably never ridden a total of a mile backwards and has a couple thousand going forward- he likes to just cruise and go fast. Whereas my preference is to work the kite and try to execute tricks, ie ride backwards, two wheels, big powerslides, lots of turning and working the kite. I find that most of the time when i kite, i am always looking for a challenge like trying to get to all four corners of the field or area i am riding in, trying upwind turns, 360s, and a new little trick that is gauranteed to get me hurt eventually- when going forward i send the kite to zenith and behind me so that when the obe moment is getting ready to happen I pick up the front end with my straps and do a wheelie 180 - its really fun but a little sketch. So whats your deal when riding the bug? scott PS i aint afraid to go fast just not really an option when my longest tack is maybe 1500ft before i gotta turn

Was that guy me? Well it sounds like me. I like to cruise too and take in the ambience. I was on the beach very early last week as the sun was coming up. I had the beach all to myself as it was a Monday. The sky had a biblical look to it. Mostly broken clouds with a scattering of blue. I felt privileged to witness such great scenery as I lay on the pebbles, sheltered from the wind behind a gyrone. I'm looking out to sea, the sun warming my face. I certainly felt privileged.

Only when the wind blows hard am I focused. I love speed but drive my car like driving miss daisy. Trying to break my PB is what motivates me but I really dislike competitiveness among other buggy riders. I'm only focused on my own personal goals and aggressively go for that alone.

If for instance I'm riding down the beach and find myself gaining on someone I will turn around before overtaking. I think it's showing off to pass someone. Even to let them see me gaining is showing off in my book. I don't mind riding side by side though. That can be fun.

If I can find some off-road then I'm at my happiest. I'd love to ride those giant sand dunes the New Zealand boys ride on. That would be buggy Nirvana for me.

(quickly rushes off to find that video).......

If I lived in NZ then this would be my style.

I like pushing myself and my kite as much as possible. I'm always trying to get as much out of a kite as I can, but I also like to play around and do big power slides and loop the kite a bunch around the turns. Practicing my tacks has been my latest "thing". I like to get going as fast as I can, turn hard up wind and slide into a tack, but trying to keep some speed coming out of it. If I ever get to buggy again (had a baby lol) I'm going to try looping the kite when I come out of a tack to get more speed.

I think the most fun, though, is being chased or chasing somebody. It really get's my adrenaline going and I get very competitive, but in a fun way. Eli and tdmc (K3?) are my favorite people to ride with because they're just as competitive as I am and it makes for a really fun day. I always know in the back of my mind that Eli can pass or pull away from me whenever he wants but it doesn't take away from the fun factor. tdmc and I are pretty equal in riding ability so we're always chasing each other around.

Jeff, doesn't Jellis ride pretty similar to you?

Great thread, thanks.

@chris- ride with someone else would awesome! I have two bugs and have been trying to find a riding partner but even Andrew, my son, always turns me down. ( complains the wind is too gusty- he is kinda of a wind snob and only likes riding on the beach) I know riding alone is the norm for most of us but why is it so hard to find other folks to join in our fun?

It really is hard, I think it's because it's so expensive to get into. I've taught a few friends how to buggy but they're not willing to spend the money on their own gear. I have two bugs as well and I'd almost be willing to donate my PL Xr to somebody who buys their own kites, just so I have somebody to ride with. Luckily, I'm only a couple hours from a handful of other riders who are always willing to come out and enjoy the beach with me.