Video - boarding...

First few rides on my MBS Comp 90, had a go at some downhill, with my daughter who tried on a very gentle slope, and my first time out with the kite (did have one fall - not on video) and had the camera on a tripod.

boarding... from Mark Crook on Vimeo.

Reviews...

I have added a quick link to all my reviews over there on the right.

Or click on my link below if your feeling really lazy...

Baldivis kite buggying reviews

Hopefully I will be able to add some more in the next few weeks, the Ozone Manta 2 and the HQ Toxic 3m - just need the wind to cooperate!

Video - Kite BMX

Tom (aka RedSkyHorizon) is crazy!

Video - a bad romance

A video from Clive from Extreme kites - 

"trip to Tasmania over the summer holiday, 3 weeks , 5 beaches, 2 OBE's"

Weight!

It's not often I will post twice in one day but I had to show off -  I now weigh under 80kgs!

Over the last couple of weeks I have stopped eating between meals and cut down on my portion size. And at times it has been a struggle, but at one point I was tipping the scales at 82+kgs...

The goal is to get down to around 78.5kgs and I think I can do it in another couple of weeks!

The only problem is I don't think my harness will go tight enough!

Sunday's Session...

I remembered to turn on the Endomondo sports tracker while I was out in the buggy on Sunday morning. Easterlies meant I could use a good length of the salt lake and rode some of the way back towards the car park...

Thwarted...

Today I was planning on trying out Dixon Road Reserve as there were some reasonable northerlies forecast...

But then came the rain!

Originally forecast from late morning, I woke up to the sound of pattering on the roof...

Looks like its set in for the day!

Lets get Naked...

As in GoPro Hero HD Naked! Sorry to disappoint you...

I have been wanting a GoPro for months and have been entering the daily giveaway since October last year!

My parents are on holiday and on their way out stopped in Singapore airport - the GoPro Hero HD Naked is $212. I have been thinking of getting a Hero 2 but for that price I am now coming around to getting Naked!

I just need to convince my wife that Naked is good!

eBay

I have listed my 3m Core on eBay, check it out -
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271021006858?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_1993wt_1010

Skid Lid..

...Bone dome? Whatever you want to call it, I am looking at getting a new helmet (another thing to add to the wish list!). Why?

My goal with the vapor is to start pushing my speed, I'm not after any world records (I am still riding a Peter Lynn Comp xr+) but want to go faster and with that comes increased risk of an OBE and I need to protect my rugged good looks!

At the moment I am using a 661 Dirtlid, this is a great helmet, comfortable, cool (as in not to hot) and does the job - it did do the job OBE. Time to get out there and try some for size...

Video - Seek and Destroy

I've been watching a few kite buggy videos recently to try and keep myself sane!

Seek And Destroy from charles on Vimeo.

Extreme Kites - It's Back!

After a long break Extreme Kites is back, and very nice to see it, it is to!

Wanted!

Now I have sold my Blade I am now on the hunt for a race-kite (or two!), preferably a small(ish) Peter Lynn Vapor.

Sold

I have sold my 8.5m Blade III, it will be heading to Cairns and will hopefully get some use - I'm still thinking I may get a 2.7 or 3.5m vapor!

Life...

This week life has got in the way of any thoughts of kite buggying, my wife has been away at a conference in Sydney all week, so I have been a single parent...

I have been working school hours 9am 'til 3pm, I have cooked (which I normally do anyway!), I have cleaned (I guess I usually do my fair share), I have done the laundry (I cant send the girls to school with dirty undies), we have been to the orthodontist, the dog has been to the vets, when I get home today I will do the weeks food shopping!

So this is my first opportunity to think about the weekend and the possibility of buggying! I needn't have bothered - there is going to be some wind, but also some rain and the direction isn't any good for the site in Singleton and there is a circus on the other potential site.

But looking on the bright side my wife is going to owe me big time after her week in Sydney - flights, accommodation, expenses and of course childcare!

Fart!

That's about how good the weekend wind forecast looks!

Looks like another weekend of gardening, car washing and shopping! 'Cause the buggy wont be going anywhere!

Weekend

At present the forecast for the weekend is looking dry and bright - I'm hoping to get out in the buggy on the Laurie Stanford reserve in Singleton on Sunday. The wind is looking gentle but doable! And I need to buggy...

My daughters are going to an all night move marathon tonight, at the youth group run by the local church, so they are going to be loads of fun this weekend - so I am best of staying out of the way!

Why...?

My wife keeps asking me why I want (more like need) a new buggy, here are my reasons-

Sysmic S2 - my dream machine

  

1. Safety

This is my primary concern, off course! A new buggy would have a wider rear axle and a lower centre of gravity providing a much more stable and safer ride. Therefore reducing the risk of OBE’s and flipping it.

2. Speed

The lower COG and wider axle would allow me to hold down more power and hopefully push my speed.

Apexx Exxtreme

3. Endurance

Longer and more comfortable buggy sessions.

4. Longevity

I have always been a great believer in - you get what you pay for, the PL comp is a great buggy and was brilliant to learn and develop my skills in. Now I am ready for that next step and need a buggy that will allow me to keep pushing and will last me for years.

PPW Cougar

5. Sanity

Checking out new kit helps keep me sane while I am not getting out as frequently – it’s either howling wind and rain or nothing at the moment! Imagine the fun I would have with a shiny new buggy to put together, then I could sit in it in the garage (those of you who buggy know what I am talking about!).

6. Development

For me to continue to push my limits, develop my skills and go faster and harder, I need to upgrade my kit – buggy and kites.

Libre Dragster

7. Support the manufacturing industries during times of global recession

Ok, I maybe pushing it a bit now!

At least my wife is talking about it now - and the seed has been sown, which often germinates into something new for me!

Buggying?

After a few days of cyclonic winds battering the West coast, surviving 20 hours without power and living by candle light, the weather is calming down and my thoughts are turning back to the possibility of getting out in the buggy at the weekend...

Jetty, Rockingham foreshore -Picture from the West Australian

Kitson Street, Rockingham - Picture from the West Australian

But at present, with the Salt Lake out of bounds and the winds not looking to good for Sunday, I am not hopeful (but keeping everything crossed) - I am also guessing there will still be debris scattered around...

 

Though last night I did have visions of me breaking the kite buggy speed record with a plastic bag and a Peter Lynnn Comp in 120kph winds!

Winter Down-under

The first of July is officially the first day of winter; last weekend we were really lucky with the weather with warm days, blue skies and some wind (even if they were North-Easterlies). With highs of 24 degrees it was a pleasure to be out, even if some of that time I was just sat in the buggy waiting for the wind...

Sunday 3rd July 2012

Sunday 3rd July 2012

This week winter has arrived, we have wind - gusty and strong, but we have also have had a good dumping of rain (which is much needed!) but never the less it's still cold and wet! Though we still have a maximum of 20-21 degrees forecast most days (that's cold!). And the dark and wet makes it feel colder...

The wind for the weekend is variable with strong northerly's forecast for Sunday, with rain increasing- which means if I am to go out in the buggy I am going to need to try and find somewhere else (again) - maybe I should just have a doona day (doona = duvet) and spend the day under the blankets - fat chance!