IN THIS ISSUE:
Buggy Boogie Thang Report.
New Buggys.
Buggys in the Media.
N. American Buggy Schedule.
Buggy Boogie Sprang Thang.
Buggy Boogie Sizzle Thang.
Buggy Cruising Options.
Power Kites - Size & Speed.
Racing Rules.
Speed Record Report.
And much, much more!
===

BUGGY EL MIRAGE:
Weekend before Memorial Day - Last chance for relative peace on a weekend before the summer crazies come. 19-22 May.

Week Days before the 4th of July Weekend. If UP Sports Competition is go for the 4th, more can come. 29 June - 1 July.

Week days are the safest anyway. The far end of the lake has the best winds .

===

YOUNGEST BUGGY PILOT:
The youngest Certified Buggy Owner is Trent Baker-Casperz. Born 19 October, 1993. Trent received his Land Lizard and Q-40 as First Prize at a raffle held at the Victoria Sport Kite Championships at Lake Tyers Beach, Australia in November 19

The winning ticket was purchased by Dad (Wil) in honor of his son's first kite festival. Joanne (Mom) Baker was also scorekeeper for the event. Pop expects to have use of the buggy until Trent's legs can reach the pegs.

===

The Buggy Pilots International 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 !

===

"THE BUGGY BOOGIE THANG":
The beginning is behind us as we boldly follow our Buggy Star into the future of BuggySport. The birth on Monday, January 17, was greeted by over 250 incredible Buggy'ers and over 100 Buggys from around the world.

The U.S., Canada, England, Wales, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, New Zealand & Australia were represented at the First World Buggy Gathering at Ivanpah Dry Lake during the week of January 17-20, 1994.

The week started with good afternoon winds and more room that we knew what to do with. Film crews from ESPN-2 and MTV-Sports scrambled around finding interesting combinations of visual settings with the Kites and Buggys in the midst of the open space that is the High Desert.

First day activities began shortly after dawn with many anxious pilots heading to the base site long before any wind showed up. The morning "social scene" was attended with much excitement and anticipation of what was in store.

Experienced desert flyers knew what to expect as the morning winds shifted and puffed before swinging around from the north and starting to blow. Regardless, the "sucker winds" drew the more efficient kiters far out into the lake, strandin or an hour or more before the smooth north winds showed around 1 pm.

Most first-time Buggy'ers stayed close to camp as they concentrated on bringing their skill levels up to the point they could run together without interfering with each other. The rest of the pack flowed and formed into "Buggy Swarms" of 2 uggys and set off cruising together around the 35 sq/mile dry lake. An experience that none will soon forget.

The local hosts for the event, Scott & Cindy Dyer from the Las Vegas Doodlebugs, had everything in hand as they essentially catered the 4 day gathering. Food and drink as well as beautiful event t-shirts and sterling silver pins (Made by Scott) available on the site. All proceeds from the sale of event memorabilia paid for the party. A perfect touch!

As motor vehicles are prohibited from driving on the dry lake, the Bureau of Land Management placed orange cones to mark our 5 1/2 mile access route to the parking area and outline the "camp"... a 600' x 2000' space where cars would be permitted.

The space was so much larger than most Buggy pilots had ever experienced, early arrivals on Sunday had confined their Buggy runs to within the parking area.

Space and distance can be very deceiving on such a flat and featureless expanse, and besides, one cannot be too sure of just how deep it might be out in the middle.

Reluctance soon gave way to curiosity as more and more Buggy'ers tried the short 2 mile trip across the narrow part of the lake to a brushy shoreline or the more adventurous 3 mile upwind reach to the I-15 freeway that crossed an arm of Ivanpah Dry Lake.

Late Monday afternoon, from a couple of miles out, a group of riders (Paul Jobin, Dean Jordan, Robbi Sugarman, Garry Clarke, Martin Lester and myself) paused to watch as the afternoon sun, streaming across the lake bed, illuminated 48 Buggy heir multi-color parafoils sailing back and forth across the southern end of the lake.

The setting was awesome. The stark McCullough Range loomed over the lake on the east side, the Ivanpah Mountains on the west. Cradled between the two, Ivanpah Dry Lake was alive with KiteBuggys.

Due to the efforts of Jeff Cain, we received national media coverage with the presence of crews from MTV-Sports and ESPN-2. We set up tandem Buggys and sailed them out into the action.

As they crossed the lake, a swarm of other Buggy riders would circle them like movie-indians around a wagon train, whooping and hollering, showing their courage and skills.

There was a refreshing lack of organization on the lake bed. Acquiring a permit for the use of the site from the BLM, arranging accommodations at the hotel/casinos at the end of the lake, and getting the word out was enough.

The Buggy Pilots proved adept at taking care of themselves and we noted only the lack of a perfect evening gathering spot. We made do with the Prima Donna casino bar and their very nice restaurant with the $8.25 / 1 lb. Prime Rib Special.

Many Buggy designs showed up on the lake. The majority were Peter Lynn Buggys, and they brought their wide-track, long-wheelbase, extra-wide tire version as well. Claims of improved soft-sand ability wait to be tested as there was no suitable soft-sand location on the hard-pack dry lake.

Land Lizards from Highly Strung Kites in Australia made a strong showing with their new "Long Prong" add-on cruising set-up and their new distribution agreement with Shanti Products.

Cobra Kites introduced their Peter Lynn-designed Cobra Buggy at the KTA Show, and brought a few of them to Ivanpah along with their new Power Foil with its concealed spar-tips and wider mesh leading edge.

Steve Shapson brought a few of his new Force-10 Buggys and Fran Gramkowski brought his Kite Traction Machine to the Buggy Boogie Thang. Both copies of the original PL Buggy.

Brett Onstott brought 5 of his bright green BO's Buggys, and there were even a couple of home-built models using bicycle front ends and wheels

. Nop Velthuizen from Belgium brought his custom 4-wheel and 3-wheeler Buggys. Garry Clarke from England had a one-off called the Rabbit while countryman Paul Jobin ran a hybrid G-Force front end & seat attached to a Land Lizard rear axle.

The custom-built G-Force Buggys were also used by 13-year old Jonathan Harris and slightly older Mick Parsons from the Welsh Sport Kite Centre.

Julian Wolf-Patrick brought his fiberglass Zeph-1 from France and Tomas Jeckel brought the big-wheeled Ph¾ton trike from Germany.

Scott Dyer even brought his Manta LandSailer to play with. Plenty of Toys!

===

BUGGY NEWZ is an independent operation. Non-profit as it happens. The purpose is to spread the word around the world of the Buggy and the people who use them.

Conceived, Founded, Written, Edited, Published & Distributed 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... Falls on only one pair of shoulders.

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
Fax # (408) 373-0688

===

BUGGYS & THE MEDIA:
The Buggy Boogie Thang brought the KiteBuggy out of the closet and into the reach of the vast television audience. Through the efforts of Colorado Buggy'er Jeff Cain, a crew from MTV-Sports spent two days with us at Ivanpah, interviewing so e international Buggy contingent and filming from the tandem Buggy while sailing across the lake bed with the pack.

On Tuesday, a crew from ESPN-2 joined the media glitz that had surrounded us and we treated them to more good winds and plenty of rides in the tandem Buggy. Look for Buggy coverage on both.

Eric Saunders, a free-lance photo-journalist based in L.A., attended the Buggy Boogie Thang after picking up a copy of American Kite Magazine (the one with the Buggy'er on the cover) last fall, while doing a shoot in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

A few phone calls later, and he was pitching the story to Le Figaro - the #1 magazine in France!

The Italian print media was represented as well with Maurizio DiLoreti covering the event in word and picture. The second day group shot of 66 Buggys and the "Buggy-crew" was a result of his efforts.

The L.A. earthquake on Monday kept the local media away, they had to interview gamblers who couldn't return to their homes and had to stay in Vegas and donate more money to the rich casino owners.

We didn't even miss them!

===

IVANPAH EASTER

The big Land Sailers have their annual regatta at Ivanpah during Easter week. Many Buggy Pilots plan to be there 31 March - 3 April. They are a fun bunch and don't seem to mind us if we stay out of their way.

===

BUGGY PILOTS INTERNATIONAL:
The reality of our world-wide community of Buggy Pilots became obvious on the dry lake at Ivanpah. The idea of the Buggy Pilots of America must grow to acknowledge our wider boundaries.

Buggy Pilots International more correctly identifies the global community of Kite Buggy Enthusiasts.

Identity is a large part of any clout we may wield. We are what we claim to be.

I have a BP of A flag. Now we need one for the BPI. How about taffeta so we can hear ourselves think when the wind blows.

===

DA KITES:
Many forms of propulsion made their appearance on the dry lake as well as the variety of Buggys. Peter Lynn was there with a selection of Peels (mostly flew the 10 meter Ultra-Lights) and wacky Brit Andrew Beattie even brought his 15 meter Peel.

The Peels are 2-line control and are usually flown with long (150 ft.) lines. Martin Lester had his up on about 80 ft. lines and kept up with the quads without difficulty.

The UL's were very efficient and the PL crew got suckered out onto the lake on the early "sucker winds" - Hence the name! Quite a sight to watch Peter, Dominique & Phillip walking back to camp!

Nop Velthuizen had his own version of the tapered Peel design that did very well. He also flew a stack of SpeedWings that kept him running with or ahead of the pack in winds that seldom exceeded 10 mph.

Joost Meijerink and Ray & Jeannie Merry from Flexifoil/Cobra Kites introduced their new concealed-tip Flexis with the wider mesh designed expressly for Buggy and Beach use. Joost flew an 18 stack that looked like a ladder stretching into the sky and was a truly impressive sight, even when seen from across the lake bed.

Mick Parsons from The Welsh Sport Kite Centre brought his Modulas Quad-line Foil. This innovative design allows the pilot to add or remove zippered sections of the foil as conditions dictate. The entire system hangs from the rear axle in its own carry bag. Very handy and very clever.

The 4-line soft foils dominated the lake bed with their presence. Quadrifoil and Force-10 foils were everywhere. The modest winds allowed use of the larger bags without too much side-force. 40-50 sq/ft was the norm while many of us used 60-75 sq/ft. or bigger on occasion.

There were the normal numbers of home-built bags, some that worked very well and some that couldn't quite keep up. The winds were light enough to not offer any help to less-efficient designs.

===

MY PERSONAL IVANPAH:
Some of the most wonderful kite experiences happen with friends. For all the personal pleasures I find at the end of a kite line, something about sharing with a group of like-minded kite crazies multiplies the joy.

To be able to Buggy the dry lake wheel-to-wheel with the group at Ivanpah was an absolute skygasm.

Thanks to the KTA for having their trade show where and when they did, and being a strong international organization that supports our industry.

Kite friends span the globe - A tough group to get together for a party. While I have been involved in organized kiting for more than 15 years, I've never put my name on any event before.

I worked from a pent-up desire to create a group identity surrounding Buggy Riders. Many of us have few if any other Riders to buggy with, and we needed this to energize our sport.

Buggying the Dry Lakes in southern California is wonderful and all, but I needed more... I needed to share it with others who touch the sky and fly on the ground.

I learned a couple of things about event organizing. Less is more. I have no desire to sit in a tent all day "organizing" things, so the structure was a product of the people.

Racing, the idea of measuring one's skills as "better" or "worse" than someone else's by way of head-to-head competitions has its place, but the idea of creating a few "winners" and a lot of "losers" is not what makes my world go around.

We raced each other on an informal basis. Actually, it was more like running together, dicing it up a bit. One would pull ahead, then the other would fight back, gaining a little extra speed to pass, both finally slowing on the far side to laugh and shout our joy together.

There will be more Buggy Boogie Thangs where we all win just by playing. Thanks to everyone who came and shared and Buggy'd

. ===

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I received this off the Prodigy Interactive Service:

To: All.
From: Michael Jones. Crack the Sky/Jones Airfoils. (KTPU87A).
"I woke up this morning to find the Buggy Boogie Thang being televised on ESPN-2. I thought this was great, especially since it was on for about 5-8 minutes. Usually kites are only shown for 10 seconds or less at the end of a news story or something. So there I sat watching this and glad kiting was being exposed to the public when here comes Corey Jensen buggying by naked. Needless to say I was upset that he could ruin what could otherwise have been a great thing for kiting. My wife turned to me to say "some parents are really gonna let their kid get involved in kiting now". She is right. After all the work many of us have done in kiting to expose it to the public as a viable sport and that we aren't a bunch of kooks, it's all down the drain in one fell swoop. After the clip the anchors made fun of it with raised eyebrows. Can you blame them? I really don't think any "international" event should be clothing optional. I'm disgusted."

===

LINE TRICKS:
A length of heavy dacron or Skybond attached to the handles (usually the bottom), with knots where-ever needed, makes for easy adjustments right at the handles (instead of making changes up at the bridles).

Because I teach new Buggy'ers, I have put 6'-8' dacron lines from the handles (top & bottom) so if anyone twists the lines around an axle, instead of thin SpectraLine to dig out of the threads, there is a thick piece of 250# dacron that comes out easily.

===

Windborne Kites
We offer the Peter Lynn Buggy, the Land Lizard from Highly Strung, and the new Peter Lynn-designed Cobra Buggy. Complete Accessories and Parts. Quadrifoil and Force-10 Foils. Peels, Flexis & Revs. Call or Write for our Retail Kitealog(tm)

Windborne Kites
585 Cannery Row #105
Monterey, California 93940
Toll-Free Order # 1-800-234-1033
Shop # 408-373-7422
Fax Order # 408-373-0688

===

BOOGIE THANG VIDEOS:
Many of the folks at the Buggy Boogie Thang brought their video camcorders and took hours of wandering around the camp waiting for the wind. They also got some really beautiful shots at sunset Monday and Tuesday with the sun streaming across the lake bed, highlighting the foils that were gliding along, pulling ecstatic Buggy riders.

The PL Tandems, and Steve Shapson's tri-cepede buggy carried some of the camerapeople out into the action on the lake, including the crews from ESPN-2 and MTV-Sports, The ESPN-2 thing has already aired and the production crew that shot the s sent me a copy of there work. If you didn't see it, call ESPN and request they show it again or on ESPN-MaxOut. Start a thing and maybe it will happen. I get calls asking for copies.

Here's the deal... I'm doing this simple. Send me YOUR buggy video footage and a quality blank VHS tape. I'll put together the MTV & ESPN stuff, any of their raw footage I can, the best collection of stuff from what I get from ya'll, and om my own collection of video tapes. A deadline for submissions is necessary to keep this on a reasonable timetable. Let's say you must get it to me by August 1, 1994. That gives me time to do a good job and still have it ready by AKA-Wildwood '94

Besides the MTV and ESPN pieces, this could include Lee Sedgwick on blades and ice, KiteSki, spring & summer El Mirage Boogies, Original Naked Buggy footage - NOT! I also have the two videos from the No. Amer. Powerkite Manlift Team from Wa , both Gwithian Buggy Races, Martin Lester buggying with MegaLegs, the Dean Jordan CNN "commercial", AKA-Ft. Stevens Boogie '93, and other stuff too.

Basically the offer is to trade to share. I want what you have, and I hope you will want what I can put together enough to really send me the damn tape instead of just thinking about it and then spacing the whole thing out.

I would love to find someone with professional facilities who will not laugh at amateur stuff, and do the job for love instead of money. I don't care as much for the quality as I do to see ya'll doing the Buggy Thang!

I'll use two VHS decks and do the thing myself, at least we'll all have some proof. Some evidence of others in the zany fringe element, orbiting out there somewhere.

Doing not saying. If many share, we have more and better stuff to include. Longer tape - More value for the hassle. Better community spirit too. And I'll recognize you by sight next time instead of having so many readers come up and have oduce themselves because we are just voices and words.

Let's Trade & Share!

===

RULES OF THE ROAD:
Last issue contained a reprint from "The Kiteflier" magazine from Great Britain. Mike Johnston from the Welsh Sport Kite Centre presented ""10 Golden Rules For Buggy Racing".

It immediately hit the Internet and great discussion began with Peter Lynn presenting the most detailed arguments point-by-point. I have interpreted them somewhat and added a bit of my own and now regurgitate it for you... Uuuuuurrrrrppppp !!!!! (i hate rules!)

Let's start at the beginning and understand the difference between friendly buggy-in-bunches activities - "General Rules Of The Road" and the more serious "Buggy Racing Rules".

1. The Starboard Rule- Always keep to the right.

Peter argues that this may be used to dis-advantage an opponent. True. But regular running across limited spaces mandates some general understanding of where Buggy'ers are likely to go. Keep to the right seems logical for non-racing.

2. Upwind Buggys must keep clear when overtaking.

Peter raises the same point. As soon as any rule makes one party responsible, then the potential to use contrived situations makes them imperfect for racing rules.

3. Always look before you gybe (come around).

This gets a heartfelt endorsement from Phillip McConnachie and Peter. They had a spectacular and violent downwind "coming together" during the 1993 NI vs SI New Zealand Championships. Rule for the road.

4. When passing or crossing, the upwind kite must be lowered.

The difference between crossing buggys and passing is important. Friendly buggy times are different than races. Having an understanding to permit more buggys without tangles keeps our buggy spots usable.

Crossing buggys have every desire to keep clear and this seems mostly to prevent the problem. Planning ahead of where you are gives the Buggy'er the opportunity to position Kite & Buggy for safe passage. Knowing the opposing/upwind Buggy'er will fly lower as the two of you approach gives a clue as to what to expect.

Reasonable as a General Rule of the Road for Buggys, but unnecessary in racing.

Overtaking has a different perspective. Until the buggys meet, it is often impossible to tell which will be windward. If kites tangle (or buggys for that matter) - both loose! This situation seems mostly self-regulating.

Team-buggy situations, where one racer with no chance to win purposely hinders another to ensure a team win, raises an ugly spectre. Is this new sport already so cut-throat that we have no choice of the type of people we buggy with?

Normal racing situations allow for maneuvering for advantage. When the more upwind buggy tries to hinder and manipulate other buggys (for instance), deal with it by tacking away or try to bluff through.

Using sailing technique and strategy in racing situations is in many circumstances very much an enjoyable part of the wider "game" of buggy racing. Good sportsmanship is only to be expected. What is the point of racing if win-at-any-cost is the only rule?

5. Buggys "on the run" (down-wind) have right-of-way over "reaching" (up-wind) Buggys.

It is implied but not stated this applies to the appropriate leg of the course and not the moment-to-moment maneuvering that occurs during Buggying.

Otherwise, the same old problem of making one party responsible allows an unscrupulous competitor to create a foul for an advantage.

6. Never underfly the lines of opposing Buggys.

This seems intended to prevent line wraps. Again, the application for General Buggy Use is valid in the knowledge of what to expect from others, but generally redundant redundant.

7. "Air" at the mark. (When competing at the mark, the first must down-turn the kite when gybing.)

Quoting Peter: "There are so many reasons why... (it)... is impractical. One is that especially in light-winds with big kites (a fair proportion of all racing we do) there is often not nearly enough sky to turn-under without hitting the ground. Requiring such a rule would just be mandating a kite crash for the leading Buggy at each close gybe.

"In a stronger wind situation it can be quite unsafe to underturn the kite as the sudden (more than) doubling of kite pull makes it "hit the fence" time.

"However requiring this maneuver rather than leaving kite control and its consequences to (the) Buggy'ers individual judgement would be an interesting test of testicularity!"

There are also differences in how two-line power kites (Peels, Flexi's etc.) and quad-line foils with their shorter lines behave at the gybe. Running in bunches is easier if everyone understands some common ways.

8. Never touch a mark.

Doesn't go far enough. If the mark is of some solidness: tree, derelict Sherman Tank or whatever - Who cares? This should read: Never move a mark by contact. Penalty equals replacing the mark (if necessary) and then re-rounding correctly

9. Never relaunch a kite in such a way as to cause obstruction to others.

Peter again: "Yes, but remember that not relaunching can sometimes also be an obstruction and that Buggy'ers should not obstruct others attempting to relaunch."

For beginners, remember to put downed lines on the ground if a Buggy'er is about to roll through. Raising your lines to allow a Buggy to pass under unfortunately ignores the kite which is powering it.

10. Avoid contact with other Buggy'ers and kites at all times.

Obvious. It is the absolute responsibility of each Buggy'er to keep aware of others and plan ahead how to deal with situations. Yelling your intentions (politely) to another is acceptable if needed.

===
Roger Ripstop Says: "SAFETY FIRST!"
===

NEW WAYS:
Many criticize, few construct. Peter offers insightful, experienced, constructive ideas that help us step forward. We are at the beginning in this sport and we have the chance to think things through and either get it right or foul things unworkable details for years.

So what should the Rules be? Four Things: a) Simple b) Enforceable c) Unable to be used manipulatively d) Only about things that need to be regulated - many things don't need specific rules (eg: avoid kite/line entanglements)

Remember we are (or want to be) a spectator sport and due consideration needs to be given to promoting visually exciting events with the first-to-finish equalling the winner. No after-race protest hearings and any handicapping being done with starting times.

It is absolutely true we must have an internationally recognized rule framework in order to grow as a sport. Every attempt to set up a "Right-Way" must have at its heart the desire to create a level playing field on which competitors compet elative safety and can be assessed on the basis of their skill and strategy.

We must take a positive "pro-active" approach to rule creation as we ultimately must have them. The "lottery" of having a winner selected by the blind luck of being able to avoid entanglements and crashes is not satisfactory.

STANDARD STARTS:
For Multi-Buggy Events: Starts should be with Buggys spread at least 20-30 ft. apart on a line set across the wind with the first leg being to the most down-wind mark without rounding any other marks on the way.

This effectively spreads the field by the first mark which is from experience where most entanglements occur. Starting on a reach has the disadvantage of having good/bad starting positions. Down-wind starts are more even.

Unless the site is very large, preliminary rounds are advisable to reduce the field to less than 10 Buggys per race.

Where races are short (less than 1/2 hour each), competitors should drop their worst score when points are totalled. Say for a 5 race program, count the best 4. This helps reduce the effect of "occasional bad luck" on eventual race outcomes.

Endurance Races run until one competitor laps the field or a predetermined time of 1 1/2 hours really lets the good Buggy'er shine through over even obstructionists.

In MultiRace Events, the Winning Strategy is absolutely to play clean, keep out of trouble, avoid troublemakers (Either by design or through ineptness - to the point of hanging back until a clear opportunity for passing comes along), and to concentrate on turning in perfect laps.

Further communication with Peter Lynn on this subject (or others): Argyle Park Buggiers Fax +64 3 308 1905 Ashburton New Zealand.

===

FUTURE POWER KITES:

It would be presumptuous of us to think that we have the ultimate power kites already. We are using the available sources and designs and can expect further development to provide increases in both power and efficiency.

Peter Lynn (who else?) is working on a Quad-Peel with nearly twice the chord (distance from leading edge to trailing edge) than current Peel designs.

Performance is reported as very acceptable, but that's not enough. Peter is still looking for superior performance.

The normal size fields (as opposed to the space of the dry lakes) most of us use, and the increase of beginner Buggyists mean that the shorter-lined quads take less room and respond quicker to control inputs.

Efficiency out at the edge and low-mass is usually better with the air-foils kites over the framed delta-sail kites.

Innovation is the watch-word. Further developments as they are revealed.

===

SWISS SPEEDSTER:
Patrick "Speedy" Guggenheim of Switzerland, the winner of the First French Fast & Frantic Buggy Races last June, checks in with further information and a European Speed Record Claim.

"Speedy" won the race at Quend Plage, France using the PL Buggy and a Q-3. It was also "Speedy" in Scheveningen, Holland during their wonderful festival who looked "pathetic" compared to the Peel/Buggy pilots.

"Speedy" doesn't remember it that way, but admits he had no adequate clothes considering the course was half under water. He also had a Q-6 on short lines (way too much kite for the winds) for a figure-8 course. Of course, Peter Lynn uses space (like a champion) and Peels on long lines eat up the sky anyway.

"Speedy" remains firmly convinced that the quad will prove to be the power for the Buggy. The idea of class racing (Quads vs. quads, Peels vs. Peels, etc.) appeals to a larger group of Buggy'ers every time they get together.

The Speed Record Claim is best presented in "Speedy's" own words (spelling intact): "What I really appreciate in buggiing is speed. That's why on my last vacancy I went to the south of France to drive on a big wide beach. There is no poss firmation of what I tell you now, (you have to thrust me) but: Wind Speed: 16-19 mph. Buggy: PL Buggy w/ skinny tires. Pilot Weight: 88 kg (180 lbs). Kite: Quadrifoil-6. Speed: 65 mph!!! (Controlled with a car who followed me). P.S. Sorry my nglish is maybe not the best, but would you understand Swiss-german?"

The english is just fine. And we do "thrust" you. Only one question... Was the run in only one direction or were you able to tack at that speed? More from "Speedy' in the future.

===

BUGGY PILOTS of AMERICA
Cloisonne' Pins.
Silver on Black
$6 each
Paint the Sky Kites
Portland, Oregon
503-222-5096
Fax 503-222-5034

===

TIDELOG(tm):
Just when I tell any interested shore-bound buggy'ers about the marvelous TIDELOG(tm), they go and change things on me.

The New TIDELOG(tm) has been improved! While the old version had a whole week shown on facing pages, the new edition has Mon.-Thurs. on the left and Fri.-Sun. on the right with a blank page between for notes, log entries, appointments and drawings.

The information contained in the easy-to-understand graphics layout includes:

Tides - Daily tide curves based on NOAA predictions for each area and show height of tide at any time.

Currents - Shows time and strength.

Sunrise/Sunset, Dawn/Dark - Shown by skyshading on the daily graphics.

Moon - Shows current phase each day at its zenith. Perigee, apogee and declination, also moonrise & moonset shown.

Astronomical - The five planets visible to the naked eye are shown at their zenith once a week, sized according to apparent brightness. Major meteor showers and eclipses are noted when they occur.

The masterful collection of tidal information is beautifully overlaid on a drawing by M.C. Escher - "The Second Day of Creation". An incredible little book. Anyone with experience being around the ocean and tides understands how valuable this information is. This book makes it all so accessible as well.

TIDELOG(tm) is available for New England (MA, NH, ME), Chesapeake Tidewater (Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, Washington & Tidewater area of VA), Puget Sound (Seattle/Tacoma WA), No. California (S.F. Bay and Delta - S. to Monterey, N. to Nehalem Rive SO. California (L.A., San Diego, Catalina - S. to Manzanillo, Mexico, N. to Carmel).

Cost is $12.95 ea. Send check or m.o. to Pacific Publishers Box 480, Bolinas CA 94924. Voice and Fax orders - (415) 868-2909. Visa/MC accepted. Shipping adds $2 to the order. Multi-year subscriptions ensure getting your new TIDELOG(tm) each November. 2 years - $ 23. 3 years- $30.

Mention you heard about TIDELOG(tm) in BUGGY NEWZ and PAY ONLY $10.95

(Offer good until April 30, 1994)

===

U.S.O.T.A. BUGGY PERMITS:
Lucky Buggy'ers at the Thang received United States Office of Tethered Aviation Buggy Permits courtesy of Jeff Cain from Colorado. He also shared USOTA Official Business placards. Both were beautifully done on heavy stock.

They were welcome souvenirs from a special time. I have camera-ready artwork to make more. Details next issue.

===

The Buggys get new parts.
Two new cruising options were introduced at the KTA Trade Show in Las Vegas. Cruising in the Buggy is a specialized demand for specific locales.

The Peter Lynn Buggy offers a wider axle that bolts to the standard seat or to a new seat that shifts the pilot forward for an even better balance. There is also a new, longer front end for extended wheelbase stability at speed.

The combination is topped off with the new PL wide alloy wheels that hold an 8" wide tire! The two-piece rims bolt together so they may be dissassembled and packed into the Buggy Bag for travel. They require another even wider front fork as well.

Land Lizard from Australia also has an extended nose option called the "Long Prong". As with the PL Buggy, the Lizard has a selection of bolt-on upgrades for special-use and high-mass pilots.

One commercial Buggy, The Pha'eton Trike from Phoenix in Germany has a wider rear axle option than even the Wide Buggys, a longer wheelbase, and uses bigger bicycle tires all the way up to some big flotation-type tires.

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SLING-BACK BUGGY SEAT:
Julian Wolf-Patrick from France brought his neat Sling-Back Buggy Seatback. Moran Precision will produce them for the American market.

The Sling-Back a simple back slat with straps connecting it to the seat rails. Just enough support. A full review will be in the next issue (after I get one).

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Next Issue:

Australia 95 Buggy Boogie after World Cup.
El Mirage Updates.
New Buggy Tests.
More Buggy Stories.
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BEACH BUGGY GEAR:
As any who are lucky enough to have beach areas to Buggy on already know, you get damn wet! I have become convinced the basic design of the Buggy has a nefarious and diabolical intent to it. The front wheel hits the cold ocean water, drenching the pilot in the so-called "groin area", causing said pilot to gasp in astonishment and surprise, thereby having an open mouth when the rest of the wave of cold, salty water arrives in the pilot's face a split second later. Gasping and spitting, we present a sorry spectacle. It is difficult to act cool after that kind of shock.

As a partial remedy, I have located a supplier of inexpensive water-proof pants, overalls and jackets. In all the adult sizes. I have been using my Dutch Harbor Gear 24 mil PVC w/ nylon backing, elastic waist, snap-cuff, 2-slash pockets, 100% waterproof Rainpants for a few months and they are GREAT! I also have a Rainbib made with a heavier 55 mil PVC with polyester backing. It comes with adjustable suspenders and pockets but lacks the snap-cuff of the Rainpants.

Prices: Rainpants - $18 (Bl, ppl, yel.) Rainbib- $20 (Yel. or grn.) Hooded Rainjacket -$20. Heavyweight Rainsuit (Bib & Rainjacket) for $38. Also, Rainjackets without hoods and Hooded Parkas are also available.

Call me at Windborne Kites.

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STARTING... ONCE AGAIN:
This can not be stressed to much... Start with smaller kites and medium winds. Learn the techniques of controlling kite & Buggy and stopping before trying to Buggy with bigger kites or a lot of wind.

Spend a few hours to get the hang of things. Don't let yourself be talked into more than you are comfortable with. Some like to take more time and savor each step in the process of building technique.

Pick a big spot to start. A Buggy can cover 200 yds. very quickly. Putting the kite overhead just BEFORE starting your turn eases the power and keeps the lines out of your wheels.

Learn to turn the front wheel a bit downwind to start going, then turn kite and Buggy across the wind to build speed.

Notice the connection between kites position and direction in the sky and the Buggys general direction, the front wheel and effect on speed and control.

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VISIT MONTEREY BAY:
If you are in the area, come Buggy on the beaches around the peninsula. Weather permitting, I am always ready. Call ahead to arrange times with tides and winds, and we can choose from 5 or 6 spots.

Beach running is best on Fat Tire Buggys. The sand is not that hard so we can use more beach with the fatter tires. It is possible to get a little wet, so some kind of waterproof outerwear is a good idea.

Beaches tend to be thin in some of the spots, but quads have no problem and the winds are usually very smooth. Wind speeds tend to the lighter side between 6-12 mph, but we have some 15-24 mph days.

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Buggy Pilots International
c/o Windborne Kites
585 Cannery Row #105
Monterey, California 93940