BUGGY NEWZ 1.4 The Official Organ of The Buggy Pilots of America November 1993 The Buggy Pilots of America is an organization dedicated to spreading the fun and glory of buggy riding around the world. The common ground of wind-powered traction kiting transcends all boundaries except those of wind, gravity and drag. Buggy or Die! KITE BUGGY GENESIS: The idea of pulling a wheeled-craft across the ground powered by a kite (as opposed to a sail and mast) can be traced back to the experiments of Alexander Pocock in and around the towns of Bristol and Bath in England around the 1820's. Alex used multi-line kites and the absense of power lines to make the idea work and drawings from the period show the kites flying above the trees being steered around obstacles while pulling the carriage along the roads. It was in Bristol in 1990 that I first saw Peter Lynn and one of his early proto-type buggys. That one ended up with Martin Lester. Later I learned that another buggy I has seen in Wildwood in 1989 was also one of Peter's. Peter Lynn's early research provided the practical insights that led to the design. Strong and lightweight, the buggy is also portable and comes with a compact carry case. Changing the way we look at wind-power and sailing fun. BUGGY BOOGIE THANG: The Big Event is scheduled for Jan 17-20, 1994 at Ivanpah Dry Lake. Located on Interstate 15 just 40 miles outside of Las Vegas Nevada at the Cal/Nev state line, the site enjoys not only excellent access to a large (20+ s/m) dry lake, but a ts two large casino/hotels at the north end. As the Kite Trade Association International Annual Trade Show is being held in Las Vegas Jan. 12-16, 1994, a large group of the international attendees at the KTA show are expected to stay over. This event is an exercise in participation-art, intended to create and nurture a core of enthusiasts into a "buggy community". There will be a host of activities and opportunities including buggy lessons at all skill levels, speed trials, class racing, open racing, cross-country racing, and the World Record Buggy Centipede. Some of the Most Famous Power Kiters from around the World are expected. Lodging is at the Prima Donna Hotel/Casino right at the Lake site. Toll-Free reservation # 1-800-367-7383. For calls outside the USA use 702-382-1212. Winter rates for non-weekend is $ 18 / nite. Food is also very inexpensive. Join us with adjacent rooms (Ground floor - Back parking lot across >From the lake bed), my confirmation number is 216-508 IN THIS ISSUE: Buggy Basics Which Bag is Best? Tires & Wheels Racing Results Event Calender ...and more! PETER LYNN ON ICE: Recent letters from The Great One Himself included pictures and descriptions of the newest wrinkle with the buggy... Ice Buggying. As it has been winter in New Zealand, logic dictates one does what one can to find the thrill. Problems arose because of the rear axle weight bias and the oversteer bias of the buggy (Tendency of the rear to slide in a wider arc than the front when turning). Ice Blades would tend to dig into the ice and not allow the rear of the buggy to slide around when turning. Literally at the other end, the front would tend to slide first when turning as the pilot is usually leaning back and shifting weigh he rear axle. Reports indicate that Peter has solved this and has achieved speeds approaching 8 times the speed of the wind. This is the same as in Land Yachts vs Ice Boats. The less resistance of the ice allows much higher speeds. Not being blessed with winter here in Monterey (unless you want to commute), I can only ssshhhhivvver in envy. 1-2-3 GO BUGGY: Getting started on the buggy is not difficult or dangerous. Being stupid about what you are doing can always get you in trouble. Watch for the right weather. Don't be rushed into trying more than you're comfortable with. Medium wind days and medium to small kites are the safest way to start. Much depends on the surface you have to buggy on. Sand usually takes more power to go. Grass is slipperier when trying to go cross-wind and up-wind. Pavement is scary-hard and fast. Great traction has its disadvantage too. Hard-pack dirt can be fast like pavement and still let you slide the rear wheels around for stopping and quick-turns. Tire and Wheel selection makes a difference. Fat tires work best on the beach, but a little technique goes a long way to better control on the grass too. Pavement really eats the fat tires up giving less than 100 miles of use. Skinny Tires of course on pavement and also on hard-pack, grass and some hard sand beaches as well. Eventually, you wind up with different sets for the conditions and spares. The kite matters for ease-of-use and power/skill requirements. Dual-surface ram-air wings are favored for power/weight. The Peel is very efficient but two-line control needs 150' length to work well and more kiting skills. The quad-line parafoils are easiest to launch/relaunch and react quicker with their short control lines. They are probably the least frustrating for non-kiters to learn with. Be Smart - Fly Safe! Start small and work your way into the big power kites. Learn to think ahead of the Buggy and the Kite. It's not where you are but where you're going to be! BUGGY NEWZ is an independant operation dedicated to spreading the word on buggys and buggy people around the world. Founded, Written, Edited and Published by Corey Jensen The ultimate responsibility for facts and errors, for truth and fallacy, for all the things you find enjoyable and, because there is no-one else to blame, for the things you disagree with in this newsletter... Contact him or me in care of: Windborne Kites 585 Cannery Row #105 Monterey, California 93940 USA Work /Shop # (408) 373-7422 Home # (408) 372-7922 c/o Fax # (408) 647-8483 WILDWOOD RACES: Roger Chewning has brought regular Buggy Racing to The Atlantic Shore. The hard-packed sandy beach at Wildwood, New Jersey first saw some Buggy Stuff at the East Coast Championships last Memorial Day and this most recent event establishes it as The Buggy Racing Central on the North-Eastern Atlantic Shore. The first weekend of October saw about 8 buggies and pilots racing around pylons out by the waters edge. A smaller group of the same folks who met there last May. Various events included the "Little Bermuda" a tight three pylon lap course, the "Bermuda Triangle" a long distance "orienteering" course and a cross-wind two pylon beginners course. Too Much Fun will soon be the problem as thousands will flock to watch and root-on their favorite Buggy Jockey. Contact Roger at Sky Festivals Inc. EURO-BUGGY RACES: A schedule of European events forwarded from Tomas Jekel of Phoenix Drachenmanufactur in Germany. Nov.14 - Ijmuiden Netherlands. Sandyachting & Trike Meeting. Call Jrg Streng 0231-162595 Nov. 27+28 - Ijmuiden Netherlands. Sandyachting Holland Race. Feb. 05-06, 1994 - Reschen / Reschensee Italia Kite Sport Treffen (49) -711-7804231 Mar. 04-06, 1994 - Silvaplana CH Kite Sport Treffen 0711-7804231 Mar. 1994 - Finland Eissegler World Cup Mar. 1994 - New Zealand / Christchurch Stunt Buggy Event. (P. Lynn Ltd.) Mar. 31-Apr. 04, 1994. Rm, Denmark. Kite Sailing Meeting planned on Europe's Largest Beach. Contact P. Wuttke / Germany or Phoenix. June 1994 - Fan, Denmark. Windrider Meeting at Fan Kite Fest. Kites on northern part, vehicles on southern part. Tomas maintains a list of suitable buggy sites in Europe that include Belguim, Denmark, France, Germany (N. Sea), Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal & Spain. Contact Kite 'n Trike Assoc. (KTNA) c/o Tomas Jeckel / PHOENIX Sophienstr. 18-20, 52070 Aachen Germany. voice (49)-241-507157 fax - 241-513232 E-mail: kites@tug.com FT. STEVENS BUGGY: The day before the AKA National Convention in Seaside Oregon this October last, approximately 20 or 30 buggiers and would-be's gathered at the sight of an old shipwreck on a beach at the mouth of the Columbia River. Ft. Stevens was the location of the first aerial bombardment of the N. American Continent at the outset of WW2 (Aug.'42). Ft. Stevens, the wreck of the Peter Iredale and surrounding beaches have been among my playgrounds since the early 1950's. It felt wonderful to play there again with these new toys. Mostly, we all ran back and forth across 300' - 400' of hard-pack beach as most had never buggied with others before. The shipwreck provided an obstacle to maneuver around and an interesting backdrop for the video and still cameras. The open space provided enough room for the starters who prefer to teach themselves as well as space to give lessons. After some basics, many found that following better riders around a course gave lots of insights as to technique. More experienced riders moved up and down the beach meeting the others including the Peel Flyers: Jeff Cain from Denver and Philip McConachie from P.Lynn/New Zealand. P.L.Buggys were the norm with my new Land Lizard from Highly Strung/Australia and BO's Wind Rover being the only other commercial buggys. One home-built buggy was on the beach. Bob Childs with his off-road in-line skates got antsy early and drifted down to Cannon Beach before finding the afternoon winds. The wind stayed as the tide went out and there was plenty of air for the 4-5 sq. m. bags (40-50 sq. ft.) Some were able to work the 25's and 30's without being too underpowered. Scott Dyer became a key friend of Mike Greenholz (ask 'em about it) at the end of an otherwise very nice afternoon of Buggy Comraderie. BUGGY GOGGLES U.S. Military Spec Sun & Dust Goggles Let you wear Your glasses with the goggles. Clear & Smoke lenses. $ 20 includes shipping. (Cal. residents add $ 1.16 sales tax per item.) Call Windborne Kites! Toll-Free # 1-800-234-1033 RULES FOR BUGGY RACING: Paul Jobin forwards a fax from The Kiteflier - Oct '93. The Kiteflier is the kite magazine from Great Britain. Mike Johnston from the Welsh Sports Kite Centre has put together "10 Golden Rules for Buggy Racing". 1. The Starboard Rule - Always keep to the right when racing. Buggys coming at you go by on the left. Standard sailing procedure. Same as driving in the U.S. 2. Upwind Buggys must keep clear when overtaking. 3. Always look before you gybe (come around). 4. When passing or crossing, the upwind kite must be lowered. 5. Buggys "on the run" have right-of-way over "reaching" Buggys. 6. Never underfly the lines of opposing Buggys. 7. "Air" at the mark. When two or more buggys are competing at the mark, the first must down-turn the kite when gybing. The following Buggy has the option of either down-turn or up-turn with the kite unless being closely followed. Up-turn only if there is "air". 8. Never touch the marks. 9. Never relaunch kites in such a way as to cause an obstruction to other Buggys. 10. Avoid contact with other Buggys and kites at all times. Good "rules of the road" we all should adopt. As the sport grows, we will notice how little things can grow into big things. Good habits are good examples. Roger Ripstop Says: "SAFETY FIRST!" BUGGY INTERNET: BUGGY NEWZ appears on the INTERNET, that world-wide connection between computer users. < rec.kites > is where to find it and many on-line services provide access. Dan Rubesh, the "Wind Wizard" out of Ventura, CA provides the translation from Mac to Dos so all of you on the 'NET can enjoy this - tho without the stunning illustrations. The "Wind Wizard" may be reached at PO Box 5747, Ventura, CA 93005-5747. His work # is: (805) 659-5654. E-Mail address is: danr@crash.cts.com Andrew Beattie in England is the "foreign correspondant" particularly appropriate if you have met Andrew. Andrew's address on the 'NET is Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 LAND LIZARD DOWN-UNDER: One of the reasons this meager rag is coming to you so late is because of a trip I made (Oct. 31-Nov. 16,1993) to the Land Down-Under. Among the many activities I had to participate in was daily test riding of the Land Lizard Personal Kite Highly Strung Kites in Melbourne has developed a fine, stable buggy with some original and interesting refinements. The connection between down-tube (fork/seat connector) and the seat rails provides infinite adjustments along its length. This rider (6'4" with a 36" inseam) does not use it at the longest extension. The twin bar front forks are very stiff and have not twisted despite all my pushing on the foot pegs. The foot pegs are attached to the fork mount with giant cotter pins for a very trick and easy install. (I even retro-fitted the pins to my PL Buggy.) The Stainless Steel front fork, frame, seat tubes & axle disassemble very easily so the heavy-duty vinyl carry bag (red-so it won't get lost) is less than 2' high and only 3 1/2' long. Weight is around 30 lbs. and the Lizard feels very stable on all surfaces. Standard with Fat Tires on solid wheels. Heavy-duty upgrade components available. A Great Land Lizard! DAS TRIKE: The "PHA'ETON" (From the German builder Phoenix) is built to cruise. At first, the driver position above the rear axle looks unstable, but the wider track of the rear axle over the smaller PL Buggy - derivatives gives the solid feel of stable traction. The opportunity to fit larger wheels and tires also contributes to the PHA'ETON being able to manage speed and control on a wider range of surfaces and uneven ground. High speed control and stability are the hallmark of this design. The sacrifice is in maneuverability and light-weight portability. Expect to see the PHA'ETON at The BUGGY BOOGIE THANG TANDEM BUGGY SCENE: Peter Lynn has developed a hitch for the Buggy that allows one to be trained behind another by bolting the front forks of the following Buggy to the rear axle of the lead Buggy. Very stable and efficient way to give rides and help teach kite/buggy technique. Unlimited possibilities to build a train of buggies with multiple power kites. As is the routine with Peter Lynn Designs, the high quality parts are light-weight and very strong. Either stainless steel or machined alloy parts for strength and durability. Retail list price for the hitch is $88. Expect street prices (what you should pay from a legitimate Buggy Retailer) to be about $65-$70. There are plans afoot to assemble the World's Longest Buggy Centipede at The Buggy Boogie Thang at Ivanpah Dry Lake in January. Bring your buggy and PL hitch to be a part of history. Next thing you know... Buggy Centipede Races! BUGGY C.O.W. The Buggy Champion Of the World will come closer to being a reality after the Peter Lynn World Buggy Championship scheduled next March in New Zealand. The best of the buggiers, limited only by the ability to afford a buggy trip to a tiny pair of islands in the Pacific off Australia, will meet and thrash about until the finest buggier emerges triumphant. These boys play hard and to win...And they go FAST! Wear a cup. BEACH SKATES: Beach Skates made their appearance at the AKA Convention later in the week. Bob Childs from Boulder, Colorado brought his pair of in-line big wheel sand and grass skates. Mike Sterling from Portland, Oregon had some way trick four-wheel off-road Franken-Skates he had built up. Steve Shapson from Wisconsin brought a pair, as did Lee Sedgwick from Erie, Pennsylvania. Much zipping around in the low-tide afternoons at AKA, but alas in light winds. SKIP PARKS of BANSHEE KITE Fame Announces the Immediate Availability The Awesome and Powerful 16' and 20' Scimitar Power Kites. Made famous as the "engine" behind the KITESKI. Now Available to Power Flyers. Fiberglass and Graphite frames custom suited to your application. BANSHEE KITES "The Power of Champions" P.O. Box 563 Riviera, Arizona 86442 602 - 758 - 8974 DESPERATELY SEEKING BUGGY'ERS: The spirit grows when it is shared, and the sharing of technique is easily presented on a visual level running side-by-side across a lake-bed. The opportunity to be a part of the beginning of the growing buggy racing sport in America. Don't wait to find out how others think the game should be played... Create your own Buggy Game and present it at the Buggy Boogie Thang. THE INTERNATIONAL "BUGGY BOOGIE THANG"... The Largest Gathering of Buggy Enthusiasts In The World - January 17-20, 1994 at Ivanpah Dry Lake located 40 miles outside Las Vegas on Interstate 15 on the California State Line. Ivanpah Dry Lake offers an outstanding 35 sq. mile open, windy hard-pack dry lakebed to create the future of Buggying In America! The First Annual International Buggy Gathering will showcase Power Kiting and The Best Flyers in the World. Buggy Designs from Around the World! Skill classes and one-on-one training includes racing techniques and trick riding. Learn From The Best! World Record Buggy Centipede! Buggy Centipede Races! Twin Sail Centipede Races! Buggy Tag Races! Peel - Power Races! Quad - Power Races! Open - Class Races! Speed Course! Cross-Country Buggy Races! (The Big Bermuda) Buggy Pilot Costume Cont est! The "Best" Contest! Enough Space For Everyone! Too Much Fun! The most ambitious and intenseopportunity to be immersed into this new and exciting world of Buggy Power! The Place... The People... The Time... Already Legendary! Don't YOU deserve to be there? "BUGGY BOOGIE THANG" RESERVATION UPDATE: Prima Donna Toll-Free Reservation # 1-800-367-7383 We are booking the ground floor / rear parking lot rooms for ease of access. Join us with this booking number - # 216-508 For our International Visitors : (You Canadians too- eh?) The Prima Donna has a regular (non-800) number to make your room reservations. Call 702-382-1212. CANS & LIDS: The wearing of helmets is a necessary evil in today's "someone is watching" culture of limiting the rights and assumption of risks of individuals pursuing their god-given right to be as stupid as they wanna-be. The argument of safety is valid and all encouragement to the use of any and all safety gear that is appropriate to the power we are generating and the use we are putting it to. Traction kiters and buggy'ers (for instance) use power differently and have different issues they need to address. To single out helmets as a sort of indication of concern with safety is avoiding the real issue. We are not the problem as much as we are the examples that others will look to model on "how the game is played." Buggy'ers as a rule should wear helmets and gloves and heeled shoes and long pants and encourage other to, whenever appropriate. This does not make us fanatics or somehow empowered to try to control others, just logical about the effect "appearance of safe operation" has on how others perceive us. BUGGY SPEED RECORDS: Setting speed records requires a set of guidelines. Cross-wind runs are the most accurate with an average of the two times giving a truer indication of skill. Running down-wind in front of huge air is good for a thrill and we will keep records of the extreme conditions buggy'ers have managed, but the risks are much higher and this sort of activity is not recommended. Necessary information for Buggy Speed Claims should include buggy type, kite type and size, wind speed, pilot weight and surface conditions. We will maintain classifications of speed runs based on the different surfaces. Fastest on hard-pack, grass, ice, sand, etc. Submissions require witnesses and accurate measuring devices.. WINDBORNE KITES For All Your Kite / Buggy Needs Toll-Free Order # 1-800-234-1033 Shop # (408) 373-7422 AUSTRALIAN BUGGY-ROO The town of Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland, a region in the state of Victoria (south-east coast) in Australia, wants the World Cup Team Sport Kite Competitions to come to their part of the world in 1995. Among the many fine attributes that abound in that part of Australia, one of the finest is the steady winds that blow up from Antarctica. Most days show white-caps on the open water so finding some suitable areas to buggy was on my mind as I toured the area. The seacoast at Lakes Entrance is known as the 90-Mile Beach (Are you listening Long Beach?). The sand stretches out of sight in both directions. Unfortunately, the wind is not normally straight on-shore but rather quartering, and the sand is soft except at low-tides and then not too wide. So just send someone a few miles down-wind with the truck to haul everyone back. We kept looking. A network of lakes both big and small gives the area it's identity. We were invited to spend a day sailing on the Capricorn Gypsy and after much arm-twisting, reluctantly agreed. On Lake King, across from the village of Metung, an island looking s tretch of land that is really part of the Boole Poole Peninsula, looked inviting. Truthfully, I was seeking a major marsupial experience, and our skipper assured us this would be a likely place. No zoo thumpers for this nature boy. We found a herd (?) of about 100 'roos and even got quite close to them, but the best part was the field we found them in. Surrounded by 20'-30' trees so not a day for light winds or short lines, but a great field for Peels and other longer liners. Plus the thrill of a Buggy-Roo. The 'roos probably wouldn't hang around to watch these antics, and they are not smart and friendly like dolphins, but you can always steer around the 'roo 'doo. BUGGY IN BUNCHES! HELMET RADIOS: During my recent trip to Australia, with the opportunity to buggy with the Highly Strung Land Lizards folks, we used those neat little two-way radios. The radios are as small as a walkman, have a 1/4 mile range and a mike on a flexible wand attached to the earpiece which the Aussie blokes installed into their helmets. The radio part clips on a belt or slips into a pocket or pouch. There is a VOX (voice-actuated) circuit as well as a PTT (push-to-talk) option. They are powered by replaceable batteries and sell at places like Radio Shack for $40-$50 a pair. Way Trick! GWITHIAN / CORNWALL 1993: The broad, windy, low-tide beaches at Gwithian Bay in Cornwall are the site. The Gwithian Sport Kite Classic is the excuse for Buggy'ers to gather for some intense Buggy Racing. In 1992, Kieron Chatterjea was clocked at 39 mph. Set a record... And they will (try to) break it. Many claim high speeds on the buggy, but as competitors soon discover, what is possible on a familiar "reach" is not so easily repeated under the scrutiny of the radar gun. At the end of the week, over which the wind varied from 45 mph to 0, the highest recorded speed was 37 mph by "mad" John Eaton. Jonathan Harris, at 13 the youngest racer, was hot on his heels at 36 mph. Triangle-course racing was the order of the day. First leg cross-wind, then down-wind, then a return up-wind to the line. Each race consisted of three laps. There were two series, each of three races. To make things a bit more interesting the third race was complicated by a slalom section and the direction was reversed. Peel and Modulus kites predominated in contrast to Flexifoils the year before. Thanks to Mike Johnston for the report on The Gwithian Gambol. He offers for sale broadcast-quality videos of the event. Phone # 0831-186493. (He lives in England and they are PAL videos) MODULUS QUAD SYSTEM: From England comes a marvelous zip-together quad parafoil MODULUS system by Mike Parsons at Spider Kites that lets the buggy'er change the size of the power kite as conditions dictate. Starting with a basic 2.2 sq/m quad-line parafoil, the center unzips and additional panels can be zipped in. Changeable center and outboard panels allow a wide range of options. Winds changes while out on the buggy are no problem with the MODULUS. The extra sections hang from the rear axle of the Buggy in its own convenient bag. As with any attempt to do everything, some things must suffer. Mostly the ability to put all the sections together and achieve some reasonable control and power. Not the lightest of quad bags in this configuration, and a less than optimum bridle l eave you hoping for just a bit more wind. The cost advantage not having separate quads for different winds is off-set by having to buy the entire MODULUS System at once. Plans are in the works to permit starting with the basic kite and adding sections as need and means allow. More as we hear it. BUGGY AT THE WORLD CUP: Labor Day Weekend brought the World Cup Team Championships to Berzerkley's Waterfront Park. The top teams in the world (USA, GB, Fr, Ger, Holland, Japan, etc) gathered for a 3-day kite showcase and competition. Saturday and Sunday, after the announcers (yours truly was one) got to stand-down for the day, Paul Jobin from England, with Dom, Garry Clarke, Julian Wolf-Patrick, Dave Brittain and a few others drug our Buggys to the hills at the side of the flyin g field and got into some down-home off-road buggying. After trying the grassy field at slow speeds to spot any holes, rocks or ditches, we felt reasonably confident for some quick runs across the undulating hillside powered by the bay's steady 15 mph wind. The fat tires gave a smooth cushion to the ride over the relatively smooth hillside. Power slides over the grass were dramatic and graceful even without abundant power. "Climb The Hill" was the final skill test after descending the long double-track. Build up enough speed to top the 40 ft. hill without bouncing over the rutted mud tracks dried and hardened by the summer sun at the bottom where two tracks crossed. A good rounding in buggy sailing techniques. The pilots with more time with smaller kites had a higher skill level. Practice... Practice... Practice! IS THE BUGGY TOO $$ ? "Why does the Buggy cost so much? Can't they make it cheaper? It doesn't look that complicated. Maybe I'll make one myself!" It doesn't look complicated. That's because it is the end result of 4 years of research into efficient buggy design. It had better look good! Of course it can be cheaper. But the sacrifice would be in the quality of the materials and workmanship. When your butt is 4" off the ground as you scoot across a field at 30 mph, there is a certain peace of mind knowing the Buggy is not the cheapest thing that would work. If it ever becomes a "big deal" and Buggys are everywhere... Then quantity production would probably bring the price down. And we would have to wait in line to play. MONTEREY BAY BUGGY RUNS: During the "winter" months (Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.) the Monterey Bay has very nice afternoon low tides every other weekend and when these coincide with a storm at sea and the associated onshore winds, there are a couple of real nice long stretches to buggy on. Weekend Low-Tides: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 27-28, 1993 have minus low tides between 4-5 pm. With "good" weather, buggyable from about 1 pm til the wind dies. Next window is Dec. 11-12. Very low minus tide between 3:30-4:30 pm. Buggyable from noon on. Last chance of 1993 is Dec. 25-26. Low tides between 3-4 pm. Starts around noon. Mid-Week Buggy Tides: As my days-off are Tue-Wed during the winter, I receive requests to conduct some buggy classes for beginners and intermediate riders. Or just to go buggy! Nov.30-Dec.1 has low tides about sunset. Dec 7-8 has low tides mid-day. Dec. 21-22 has the next afternoon low tides - shortly after noon. Dec. 28-29 sports a low tide just at sunset again. Typical runs of over 1 mile along fairly hard-packed sandy beaches. Running between a beautiful ocean vista on one side and low dunes, fields and woods with mountains in the distance on the other. After scouting the area, the best beaches for buggies are Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove, Del Monte Beach at Monterey and Sunset/Manresa State Beaches outside Watsonville. The gal at the gate at Sunset said they didn't allow wheeled vehicles on the beach as two bicyclist rode by and a jogger/mom ran along the edge of the surf pushing one of those three-wheeled kiddy/caddy things. Ignorance is bliss. As long as we are there off-season and during weather that keeps most casual strollers away, I don't see a problem. We could even go further up-beach out of the Park area and start there. There are no fences on these beaches. The low-tide area an d wind is all we need. Call ahead if you're coming. No guarantees on the weather. Buggy Pilots of America cloissonie pins in silver & black Paint The Sky Kites 503-222-5096 Fax 503-222-5034 BEACH BUGGY TIDES: For buggy'ers along certain parts of America's coastline, the ability to forecast the low tide and plan excursions accordingly is a blessing. If you live around the Chesapeake Bay, Northern or Southern California, Puget Sound or New England, TIDELOG is a booklet you should know about. Daily tide graphics for the year along with astronomical data all overlaid on an illustration by M.C. Escher (The "Second Day of Creation"). Beautifully conceived and executed by Pacific Publishers, Box 480, Bolinas CA 94924. (415) 868-2909 (voice or fax). $10.95 each plus $2 shipping. THE BUGGY & U: Learn this first: Start with a smaller kite and learn control. Buggy only where you have plenty of room. As always, smoother winds are best. Pavement and asphalt surfaces are terrible to learn on- You go too fast too quick. Learn control before anything else. Everyone goes down-wind first. Turn the buggy and the kite to go across the wind. Fly quad-line kites to an overhead stall before turning the buggy. Advanced turning techniques come with experience. Relaunch of the kite after crashing should be done off the buggy. Orient the buggy to the wind first, then relaunch the kite and remount the buggy. From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Subject: God Speaks To Kiteflier! " I've been going rather hard on the buggy of late, (blowing tubes like there is no tomorrow). I had a one-hour chance to do some more, last night (the gap between finishing dinner and it getting dark), so I headed off to the field. It started to rain, but I thought to myself: "I didn't mind getting wet in the sea (and rain isn't half as wet as submersion), the rain keeps the field clear of Joe Public, and it's windy ". I dragged the buggy up the hill, to some clean wind, laid out the lines and sorted out the Peel. I was just about to attach the lines, when there was a flash of light and God spoke directly to me. The individual words were not distinguishable in t he loud rumbling voice but the message was crystal clear: "No Kiteflying!" Andrew :-) NAKED BUGGY - THE BARE FACTS: Yes, there will be a Naked Buggy Thang at the BUGGY BOOGIE THANG in January. Not to worry, there is so much room and things are so far away, that it would take the Hubble Telescope to be able to see anything. Besides, this is a windy day in January in the middle of the High Desert. Nothing gets very big out there. Special edition pins (where do you put them?) specially created for this event, will be available to all who choose to join the ranks and bare their flanks. Photographic evidence is required. Share It & Bare It! Buggy Bare! SUBSCRIPTIONS: I try to get 6 issues out in a calender year. Suggested donation to receive BUGGY NEWZ for 1 year is $5 US. Many send more. Thank You! International Subscribers (Canadians, Europeans, Pacific Rim & Australians so far) need to remit $ 10 US extra for the additional postage. BUGGY NEWZ is available (without the stunning graphics) on INTERNET and is intended to be shared. Reprints are encouraged, if you credit the source! Make copies for your friends. Go Buggy or Go Home! 1st SPEED RECORD: The world's first land speed record was set by the Comte Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat in an electric car over a timed kilometer at 39.24 mph at Acheres, France 1898. BUGGY SPEED RECORDS: England: 39 mph Kieron Chatterjea (measured) Australia: 81.5 km/h (48.9 mph) Michael Quintel (paced) USA: 42 mph Dodd Gross & Pat Hess - El Mirage Dry Lake 2 July 93. Many other claims with no follow-up. Germany: Unable to decide between cross-wind and down-wind runs. Holland: They all go fast, but cannot remember who went fast last. BACK ISSUES: I've received many requests for back issues of BUGGY NEWZ. There aren't any. The short runs of #1 & #2 were done on my Apple Imagewriter II printer. They have only existed as computer files. #3 was the first issue printed on an Apple Laserwriter then copied at Kinko's. I did the collating, folding, addresses and stapling. The issues do exist as files and when I get caught up I will try to get those out to all who have asked. Don't put off that surgery though. GO FAST OR BUGGY: The most common question asked by a buggy-wanna-be is "How big a kite do I need to go real fast?" You can't get there from here. The big kites go in light winds. The small kites are for strong winds and open spaces. To go fast you need two things... Lots of room to get up to speed and then to slow back down, and a kite big enough to propel you and small enough to not drag you sideways. Unless running before a hurricane is enough to toast your cookies. Running cross wind proves two things: Flyer skill dominates over the ability to be outside during raging wind, and nobody needs to keep an eye on you and go downwind to retrieve your sorry butt and haul you back. BUGGY SAILING vs. SPEED: I was out on the buggy at low tide yesterday. Wind was 15 mph and quartering on the beach. A quartering wind comes on shore not directly but off at a 45! angle. Monterey winds are usually light so my kitebag has mostly larger quads. My choices were limited between the Quadrifoil-25 and the Force10 4.4 quad/foil. The 4.4 has more than enough power. Too much power would hamper my ability to go up-wind in the sand. Being drug sideways is no way to have fun. The Q-25 is near the bottom of the wind range for my weight. Not enough power could get me down-wind and down-beach, but could I fly/buggy back or would I have to walk? I chose the Q-25 because I wanted to practice sailing. The beach is only 1/4 mile long and the smaller kite let me run almost directly into the wind. I was able to run the entire curve of this small bay in either direction without having to turn o r tack. I had to work harder for speed at first, but I quickly regained the touch and noticed significantly less strain or work than the bigger bag even when running back and forth on the beach for 2 1/2 hours. The other users on the beach probably also appreciated that I was not racing around seemingly near or out of control. The smaller kites do enable the rider to increase skills without worrying about too much speed. See you on the beach! NEXT ISSUE: French Fast & Frantic Buggy Follies. "Long Prong" Lizard from Australia. American Buggys. Spring Buggy Thang at El Mirage. Buggy Parts - What You Need. Computer - Buggy Big Wheel Buggy And Much More !!!