ADVANCED BUGGY HANDLING

Experience grows but it's disappointing that the general level of
proficiency is improving so slowly.  I hear comments from interested
observers like "That looks great but far too difficult for me."  When
these same people can see true state-of-the-art buggying proficiency
they will often instead say "That's for me."  Practice, hours of it, is the
key, and not boring long run reaching either:  frequent turns (especially
when you have to not when you want to!), racing, variable terrain,
various surfaces and tricks are what you should be putting the time
into.  It's generally accepted in yachting that a day of racing is worth a
month of cruising.

Talking specifics there are two emerging problems.  One is understeering
and this has been caused by going to fat tyres.  With the original 50mm
tyred spoked wheels understeer/oversteer balance (which is absolutely
the key to buggy handling) was perfect.  The problem can be reduced by
going to a very short front stem setting.  Redesigning frames to move
the rear axle back could be the solution or perhaps we may be able to
find front tyres with a tread pattern that will give more lateral "bite".   
The second problem is the situation familiar to anyone who has buggied
on a super smooth (tarmac) surface.  During turns the lines can suddenly
go slack, sometimes 10m or more slack!  The result may be an embarrassing
kite collapse or worse, drifting followed by unsustainable pull and
unpredictable direction as the kite re-established itself.  The cause is
obvious;  sudden imposed loss of apparent wind,the solution is not so
obvious. Slowing to a stop, parking the kite then turning is a very
unsatisfying palliative.  After a couple of days playing on the vast
tarmac at Munich's old airport I see a glimmer of hope in better technique
and skill even with two line kites.  In a reversal of established practice
it seems necessary to turn the buggy (momentarily) before turning the
kite.  This is akin to standard turning techniques for kite skating
(although jump turns also work for kite skating).  Quicker turning kites
also help and the use of four line kites is a substantial but not total
answer.  In the long term this and other apparent wind change problems
can be avoided by developing the ability to pull in or let out lines as we
fly.