February/March 1995
IVANPAH BUGGY BLAST - What a Good Time:
This year, Fritz Gramkowski took his spring break at Ivanpah Dry Lake, again. He did it last year and had such a good time, he came back and invited others to join him.
Better than 30 buggy pilots from all over made the trek. Early in the week was the time to catch the winds and dryness on the lake.
Later in the week, some rain dampened everything at Ivanpah, so riders adjourned to nearby Roach Lake. Reports of over 40 miles a day and 250 miles total are common. Entire tread life of a set of tires can be used in a hot weekend out there.
Probably the best place to learn how to buggy, desert dry lakes have a certain magic in their solitude and open spaces that appeal to many who venture out. Ivanpah is special indeed because of the convenient access off the freeway, and the hotels located at the top of the lake bed.
Perhaps the most striking contrasts occur between the silence of the middle of the lake and the ear-rattling din of the casino floor. Inexpensive room rates, hearty food at low prices, and the fact one can see the neon lights shining across the lake at the end of a long, dusty day buggying with the desert wind, and know sweet relief is within sight.
The next morning, it's right there. Grab a bite to eat, and hit the lake with the rising breezes. One of God's Gifts to Buggy Riders!
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The Buggy Pilots International (tm) is an organization dedicated to spreading the fun and glory of Kite-powered 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!!
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N.A.L.S.A. BUGGY RACING:
The North American Land Sailing Association has agreed to sanction a Class 8 for Buggy Racing at their events. Buggy pilots with the yen to race will have a sanctioned venue with standardized rules to ensure that elusive "level playing fiel onsistancy in rules and scoring.
Membership in Buggy Pilots International qualifies for inclusion. Each event charges seperate fees for racers. Their insurance covers participants in their events so there is no need for us to carry our own policy. (Likewise for AKA sanctioned buggy events.)
A full schedule of upcoming racing events will be carried in Buggy Newz and also posted on the Internet as soon as they are available.
Safety equipment is mandatory at all events. Demonstration of basic buggy competency and kite control may be required before competitions. These include starting, sailing upwind and stopping, on command.
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"...DON'T NEED A WEATHERMAN TO KNOW WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS..."
The only constant is change, and so on we go... I started this newsletter because I found a source of great joy on my buggy and I wanted to share that and help the sport of buggy riding grow. Well, it is growing.
Now, the need is for more unifying ways to play and expand. Not another rulemaker - There are enough of them! But a way to bring all the different players together and create something lasting. A framework that will grow as our sport grows.
Buggy Pilots International is an organization with buggys as the prime interest. BPI is a way to harness and direct that interest. A way to communicate among the players. And a way to tell us apart so we can race.
At the same time, more riders leads to more interest from manufacturers and retailers to communicate to them about their products. The opportunity to increase Buggy Newz to a bigger publication. More pictures... Maybe even color. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.
What we need now is a unifying organization to make sense of the chaos. If we plan to race, we need identification. For the members, to ensure we agree to play by the rules, and for the organizers, to limit liability and identify the racers.
This means giving racers a number. Land-yachts have numbers on their sails. Too tough for us with our many kite options. So I propose racing singlets with numbers on the front and back. I figure they are too expensive to issue at every race so I plan to issue numbers with each membership in the Buggy Pilots International.
BPI will offer a membership card with the pilot's photo. Like a passport. As a way to reward those who have supported Buggy Newz for the last two years, they may have their choice of numbers. (There are some reserved numbers) All new members expressing no preference will be given numbers beginning with #101 and be issued consecutively.
Membership will include Buggy Newz subscription, racing number and a buggy permit. Membership will be $10/yr. Singlets not yet available.
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DUAL SURFACE BETTER THAN ONE:
The fastest of the land yachts is using dual-surface wing sections instead of sails. In the foreground is one of the fast ones, sporting a trailing edge flap.
On the left, a craft using a dual-surface mast with a sail. In the middle, a standard sail-rig with a fiberglass aero-body.
We get our own class to race in, but these are the boys...
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TOO MUCH - TOO FAST:
The southern California Go-Fast Guys and their Hot-Rod Cars use El Mirage Dry Lake too. Those are not the weekends to go Buggy Sailing there.
In 1995, the dates of their Racing Days are: May 7, June 11, July 16, September 17, October 8, and November 19. They also meet at Wendover Utah at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Those dates are July 20-23, August 19-25, September 19-23, and Oct 13-15.
Not exactly our game... but darn exciting!
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BUGGY NEWZ is an independent operation. Non-profit as it happens.
The purpose is to spread the word around the world of the Kite Buggy and the people who ride 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 ... 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 / Kite Shop # 408 373-7422
Home # 408 372-7922 Fax # 408 373-0688
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WIPI-SAIL REPORT:
Heard about the Wipi-Cat last year and then it was on the cover of KiteLines. Unique inflated design to create the power foil. The wing was said to be unsinkable too. Quite an advantage when your power kite hits the water and becomes a very efficient sea anchor, fifty or a hundred feet away.
Had a chance to use the Wipi-Sail while at Intentional Lunacy '95 in Florida. Very impressed with the power and ability cross-wind. We never launched the Wipi-Cat boat, just used the sail with buggys.
The sail feels very solid out there with plenty of power to straighten the 150' lines. Ignore the disconcerting fact that the lines are crossed. The left line is in the right hand and vice-versa. Just don't think about it! With the lines crossed controls are as we expect.
Looping is not necessary to increase power with the Wipi-sail and in fact I didn't try to do a full loop. Just a little vertical wig-wag was enough to bump the power and speed. A back-strap harness is recommended as the pull gets tiring when forced to just hang on.
The pull never really goes away, even in a stall position. The Wipi-Sail, stationary overhead, is still pulling!
The cells framing the sail (leading edge and battens) are inflated with the included pump and become quite rigid, stretching the tough sail material tight.
Real simple stuff. Basic engineering really keeps problems to a minimum. A sail and tube repair kit is included anyway.
Michel Gressier from Tours, France brought the Wipi along and much thanks from all of us who got a chance to try this outstanding new design.
For further information contact Michel Gressier, 48 Avenue Maginot, 37100 Tours, France. Telephone: 47.51.75.07 Fax: 47.54.67.05
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Intentional Lunacy Has No Logical Criticism
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SAFETY STUFF:
Always play it safe and wear appropriate clothing (long pants, heeled shoes, gloves, eye protection, helmet).
Play where it is appropriate. Respect others. Set a good example to the public. If you teach others, wait for the right conditions.
If you are a retailer and plan on selling the buggy... Take the time to become proficient before setting customers up with this sort of powered craft.
Invest in attending a desert buggy event before investing in expensive specialized equipment that could cause harm to the unwary.
Education is the key to sucess.
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Roger Ripstop says "SAFETY FIRST!"
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FRENCH FLYER:
Newest entry in the Euro-buggy market is the AirTrak. Typical three wheel arrangement with foot steering, but the seat rides atop a center rail. Good for comfort adjustments, but ready to throw the unwary rider off during a turn.
Likewise the odd seat. Cute tuck & roll, but nothing short of a seat belt and unbendable foot pegs could keep a pilot aboard during power turns. Seat belts are a poor bet unless one is willing to gamble on NEVER turning over or tipping.
This design looks like it need more work before it can become a viable competitive buggy. If beach cruising with one of the tots in one's lap, never exceeding 5 or 10 mph, and NEVER trying to spin a turn is the kind of buggy riding that appeals you, the beach scooter type buggy should serve.
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Windborne Kites
A complete selection of top-quality Buggys and Power Kites.
Complete parts & accessories.
Call or write for our FREE Kitealog
Windborne Kites
585 Cannery Row #105
Monterey, California 93940
Toll-Free Orders: 1-800-234-1033
Fax: 408-373-0688 Shop: 408-373-7422
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JEANNIE GOES JAMMIN'
Jeannie Merry's customized Flexi Buggy was spotted during the buggy time at AKA/Wildwood. Beach and wet ground buggy running has benefited by the addition of the front fender made from a thin pvc-type plastic tube and cut to fit the width of the fork spread and the curve of the tire.
Attached at the top of the forks with lock-ties around each fork leg, added support for the rear of the fender is accomplished easily with the two horizontal brackets bolted to the front axle.
To adapt this idea to older PL buggys, cut a small hole in the middle of the fender for the fork bolt and attach with the lock-ties.
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DEAN JORDAN'S BUGGY:
As many riders as there are, so are the ways of rigging for running. Sporting not only a fiberglass front fender, but also a neat bunji wrapped seat that acts like a suspension, Dean Jordan's buggy shows some original thinking and highlights the inventive solutions buggy riders come up with.
Instead of running the side rails through the loops on the web seat, Dean has looped a heavy bunji cord through the loops and around the side rails and rear axle.
He tested it many times before coming up with the right combination of wraps for his weight. As a part of the process he helped to redefine the term "bottom-out" when related to buggy riding
The fender is an adapted moto-cross fender, cut to fit. Full coverage is a benefit.
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SAFETY STUFF:
Remember to use your safety gear whenever you buggy! Set a good example by using the appropriate equipment. Helmets are usually a good idea. Especially when racing.
Most buggyers always use gloves, long pants, heeled shoes and eye protection.. Remember, buggy safe and Have Fun Out There!
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PORTUGESE BODY WORK:
Here's a neat front fender installation from Jo‹o Carlos Ribeiro of Portugal. Note the simple bunji cord holding the fender tight to the top of the fork. The flexible mud flap does a great job of keeping flying sand to a minimum.
Fashioned from a fiberglass fender and trimmed to fit between the forks, the wide, beefy part is at the back of the wheel, where it should be. The bunji cord that secures the fender has a twist in it to keep the bunji snug around the head of the top fork bolt on a PL Standard.
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PORTUGESE BUGGY SPOTS:
Jo‹o Carlos also has identified four good buggy spots around his home town, Parede. West of Lisbon, near Estoril, on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula (That should send all the world atlas freaks scurrying). His favorites? Guincho a bit north of Cabo Raso, the urban beach at Bugle near Carcavelos, and the best one... Costa da Caparica
The beach at Costa da Caparica is just south of Lisbon off the autoroute and west to the sea. From there the beach stretches south along the Lagoa de Albufeira to Cabo Espichel. Not navigable along the land for the distance, the middle third allows a great stretch of Buggy Beach. Gotta try it!
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BUGGY PILOTS OF AMERICA
Cloisonne' Pins Silver on Black $6
Paint The Sky Kites
Portland, Oregon
Ph: 503 222-5096 Fax: 503 222-5034
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GET WET? DEPENDS!
Darrin Skinner has hung a nylon panel under his Land Lizard to keep sand and mud off. Sort of a diaper, it bunjis to the front fork and to the rear axle just outside of the seat posts.
Light-weight and flexible, the idea is easily adaptable to any style buggy and requires no additional hardware. Remember to empty it!
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BUGGY BOOGIE THANG SEQUEL - Jan. 1996:
In January 1996, the KTA is having their trade show in San Diego and immediately afterwards, we plan to gather at El Mirage Dry Lake and have ourselves another fabulous Buggy Boogie Thang!!
El Mirage is about 2 1/2 hours north on Interstate-15 from San Diego, near Victorville. There are no flashy casino/hotels glittering in the distance. This is a different kind of High Desert experience.
The terrain is different too. Off-road travel is encouraged in this part of the desert. Many moto-cross type trails criss-cross the area surrounding the lakebed. Ground cover in the desert is sage brush about 2-3 ft. high, and the occasional joshua tree. Stay on the trails and try to miss the trees.
The El Mirage at 22 sq/miles, is slightly smaller than Ivanpah's 35 sq/m. The long cross reach at the top end where we sail is about 1 1/2 - 2 miles. Still, big enough.
Accomodations are in Adelanto (10 miles E), Victorville (20 miles E) or Palmdale (40 miles W). We carry everything we need out onto the lakebed with us.
Details on motels & restaurants in a future issue of Buggy Newz. Stay tuned.
Carry water if you venture out into the desert. Bring a flashlight if you buggy around sunset out there. Puncture repair kits are handy when away from town and the bike repair shops.
Remember to always buggy safe and Have Fun Out There!
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A WHALE OF A SMILE:
The famous Scott Dyer is one of the founders of the movement towards "The Natuaral Buggy Experience" after his clothing-free buggy jaunt at El Mirage Dry Lake in 1993.
Widely know among the buggy crowd for his excellent pictures from the events, his special sterling silver commemorative pins for the "Naked Buggy" the "Buggy Boogie Thang" and special commissions for the AKA, and the outstanding bash at the lakebed by Scott and his wife Cindy.
Scott has also been bringing his Manta -Twin Land sailer to the southwest buggy events and it provides a wonderful video camera platform that helps us get those shots of buggys at speed.
This shot required a slow shutter speed and a wiiiiide angle lens. Used a disposable camera to avoid contamination. No-one is safe now!
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SECRETS OF THE BUMPS:
Remember to put your front wheel through the low spots... as your butt will be there in just a second. Also consider the steepness and height and angle change at the top of the hummocks you climb to avoid high-centering your low center. This creates gales of laughter which tends to cause your friends to loose control of themselves and their buggys. Try It!
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How To Get Buggy Newz:
Ask for it! I write and publish Buggy Newz when I can. So far, 4 issues a year. If you wish to contribute to the cause, you may. In fact I encourage you to.
Current format (8 pages w/ photos), printing & postage run me about $250/issue.
Windborne contributes some background support (computer, scanning time, envelopes, etc.) but this is my baby and I pay.
Dan Rubesh converts my Mac files and shares Buggy Newz
(without the awesome illustrations and outstanding
photography) via the INTERNET on
Reprints are encouraged (with proper credit) Please be kind and send a copy for the Buggy Newz files. Making copies of Buggy Newz to share is cool too.
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THE REGULAR HOW-TO-BUGGY ARTICLE:
First: The first rule to learning the buggy is to use the smallest kite that will work and medium winds. Don't let anyone (or yourself) talk you into more than you can handle. Work the kite to gain power and learn to steer the buggy to tu ower into speed.
Starting: Get comfortable with the kite before jumping on the buggy. If the kite crashes, get off the buggy and point it downwind before relaunching the kite. Trying to relaunch without pointing the buggy downwind can pop you out sideways
Going: Keeping the kite overhead and dropping it into the power when you want to go lets you apply power gradually. The bottom lines of quad-foils only brake the kite, not the buggy. The result is slack lines and wrapping them around your axle (The Bryan Brake). A set of 4'-6' dacron leads from your handles saves your spectra lines should this happen.
Stopping: There are three ways to stop the buggy: 1. Steer the buggy into the wind with the kite overhead. 2. Drop the kite behind your direction of travel for a moment then bring it back overhead. 3. Spin a quick 180 degree turn with the kite overhead.
The surface you are buggying on is a consideration as well. Hard-pack dry lakes and pavement need less power, while sandy beaches and grass fields require a bit more for the same performance.
Winds 8-16 mph and a big place with a clear area downwind (in case anyone has to release their kite) is acceptable. The bigger the space the better. Start with the kite overhead. Add power a bit at a time. Use the larger kites for lighter winds. Smaller kites can go faster (less sideways drag).
Share this with other buggyers.
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Banshee Pegasus
16' & 20' Wings
Serious Power Kites
Curved Leading Edge Delta
Single Surfaced Batten Wing
Custom-built for the Serious Kiter
Available through Windborne Kites
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NEW PL/COMP BUGGY:
Here is the new competition buggy from Peter Lynn. Note fitting between side rails and rear axle. Straight tubes fit into sleeves welded to axle. No bolts. Seat tubes attach to center tube with one bolt and allow many length options.
Web seat moves rider forward for better balance for quicker turns. Foot pegs have also been moved higher for quicker control.
Riders immediately notice the beefier steel rear axle and the redesigned seat web that is adjustable. Raised side rails also help keep the pilot on-board during maneuvers that generate high side-loading.
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AERO ERGO SUM
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BUGGY PARTS:
Judy at What's Up is no longer importing Peter Lynn Buggys and I have purchased all her Buggy parts from inventory. Now I offer them to YOU!
If spare parts on hand is a concept you agree with, let me list the pieces I have: Complete Frame (no wheels, bag or seat) $ 300 Red PL Buggy Bag - $45 Rainbow Web Seat - $ 30 Rear Axle $ 70 Seat Tubes $ 30/pr. Tandem Hitch $45 Skinny Spoked Front Wheel, Tire & Hub (w/Bolt) - $75. Peter Lynn Video - $7.50 Rear Axle Bolts - $2.50 Front Axle Bolt w/ spacers - $7.50/ea.
Call or fax me at Windborne Kites
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KITE-POWER SAND SKATING:
Jump turns are a snap! Using radically short lines can be a problem for buggy riders when they are doing power turns, but the skaters find the super-short lengths to be a real kick!
Besides the quick response that lets the pilot power up much faster on take-off, super-short lines also allow very precise placement for adequete power and support in turns and rapid acceleration after changing course.
Whichever rig is used, more skaters are trying kite power off-road and finding a great deal of FUN!
European manufacturers already offer at least two different approaches to sand skates. Just add the right power kite, and off you go!
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WIP-ROLLER:
From the folks that brought you the Wipi-Cat inflatable boat and kite wing, comes the simplest in-line off-road skates yet. Inflatable 200 mm tires give a smooth and fast run on packed sand or dry lakes. The shoes come in four sizes and they are easy to put-on and remove.
The curved aluminum tubes give an elegant simplicity to the under-wheel design. A variety of shoe sizes are available. Learn your European size before ordering. Just a hint.
Contact for more information: Bruno Legaignoux, 26 rue E. Boudin F-29000 QUIMPER France Telephone or Fax: (33) 98.90.83.79
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STRAND SAILING:
Beach-Skating is catching on in Europe in a big way. Less expensive than a buggy, and faster, if you have the stamina, they are rapidly gaining favor and attention. This issue features two different approaches to the same product.
Strand-In-Line Skates are made in Germany and beautifully constructed in aluminum with pneumatic tires. Price quoted was 665 DM.
Contact: Strandkrabbe Fahrzeuge, Stephan Wischnewski, FlensburgerStr. 19, 24106 Kiel, Germany Telephone: 04.31.33.23.42
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The Sliceman poses during the AKA Convention at Wildwood NJ with the off-road skates he bought from Steve Shapson. Note the front-rear wheel position as compared with the underfoot arrangement .
The pheumatic tires offer great grip and a smooth ride. The frame is aluminum and incorporates a shoe mounted to the frame.
Slice maintains he is faster with less rolling resistance, but more tired at the end of the day.
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POWER KITE LINE LENGTHS:
When choosing the power setup that is "right" remember that nothing is set in stone - Try different ways.
Often, conditions will decide for you. Certain terrain or wind conditions can limit choices more than an empty wallet.
Line length is a relativly cheap way to have many more choices when it comes to controlling power and changing the "thrill factor".
Shorter lines increase control but limit power as looping the kite for added acceleration is difficult if not impossible.
Longer lines increase drag. Doubling the length quadruples the drag. Response also slows. Longer lines do allow access to often smoother winds aloft. Quite a benefit when buggying around trees or other turbulance producers.
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JUSTICE IN THE WIND:
Recent word from Europe has Peter Lynn winning a $ 250,000 law suit against the importer of rip-off Peels to the European market.
With the rampant copying in the kite world, it is indeed sweet to have one of our most original and hard-working designers finally receive justice.
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OOh La La!
The Zeph-1 cruises the sandy beaches of France. The fiberglass tub and semi-reclining position provide comfort and control For more information on the Zeph-1 Kite Chariot, contact Julian Wolf-Patrick at 30 rue des Castaings, 33470 Le Teich, France. Fax # 011.33.56.22.68.94.
Fiberglass tubs in place of stainless steel frames are becoming more common on the French buggys.
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COREY GOES ON-LINE:
Yes, it has happened. I have an account with America
OnLine
If you have a computer and have not yet accessed an online service, get off the fence and join in the most exciting thing to happen to kiters (and others) since the invention of ripstop.
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For Whom The Tide Rolls
TIDELOG (r)
If you buggy on coastal beaches, you quickly learn a respect for the power of the sea, and you learn the importance of tidal conditions on your buggy fun.
The Tidelog(r) presents the tides and currents graphically (over M.C. Escher's "Second Day of Creation"). You see the whole week at a glance! Those freebie booklets available at tackle shops can be confusing. They don't show the tides, only times.
East Coast areas covered by the Tidelog are No. New England (Massachusetts, N. Hampshire & Maine coasts), So. New England (Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, Block Island Sound, eastern Long Island Sound), Mid-Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, w ong Island, western Connecticut, coastal Delaware and Virginia), Chesapeake Tidewater (Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, Washington & the Tidewater area of Virginia).
West Coast books cover Puget Sound (Puget Sound & north into the San Juan Islands), No. California (S.F. Bay and Delta, south to Monterey and north to the Nehalem River in Oregon), and So. California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Catalina, south to Manzanillo, Mexico and north to Carmel).
The 1995 Tidelog(r) is only $ 12.95 Write to Pacific Publishers, Box 480, Bolinas CA 94924. Phone orders with credit card: 415-868-2909
I have used the Tidelog(r) for the last three years and find it invaluable. You will too! Tell them I sent you... Who knows? It might help!
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Buggy Pilots International
c/o Windborne Kites
585 Cannery Row #105
Monterey, California 93940
USA
Copyright © M & K Williams All rights reserved. Last updated: January 15, 2024.