6/28 Burmester Rally

[mike loeser]

Yes, you can never plan anything while relying on the wind. It was decent enough to get some riding done, but never got up to the wind speeds you need to really ride powered. Normally I'd ride for an hour and give up on a day like that. Paid off though by sticking it out. You could almost jump in the gusts. Mark was killing it in his new buggy. Arrived to see just a glimmer of his kite way out north of the launch. Let him borrow the GPS to see how fast he could get going. He got up in the 35 mph range. Justin was a good host to those who showed up. I did get to ride for a few hours. Took one "board got stuck in the mud" dive out towards the east end. Reminded me of football practice, getting slammed into the ground like that. Always wear a helmet! The surface has gotten a bit patchy with the launch area flaking off. Unfortunately, like Kenny found out you have to watch what kind of surface you are riding. Much better conditions straight north of the launch.
Not a bad day for being windless everywhere else in the state! Hope we get a few more days out there this season.
Thanks again to Justin for getting everyone out.
Mike L.

[btjsfca]

Over the last few years, I've been noticing the launch area getting progressively less friendly. My new theory is that it's the salt that makes the surface soft and well-formed. Since it's been years since the water was that high, the salt's washing away, and leaving us with sand. Yeah. Sand. I thought it would just get hard and dry-lakebed-ish, but nope. The west desert is encroaching on my kiting!

Anyhow, the flaky sandy areas are hard to hold power through, and they are quite treacherous. I imagine this is where Kenny got thrown. So, for now, the advisory is to take it slow and easy while you work out east a bit. Maybe 500 yards east of the launch, the surface still retains its former glory: smooth and fast and really friendly. Of course, keep an eye ahead for the scaly stuff.

Essential landboarding survival techniques are to bear off downwind any time you get spooked, be ready to hang your ass over the heelside edge in gusts (i.e., keep those feet in front of you!), and being able to powerslide to a stop is huge. If ever anyone wants to learn how to powerslide, I'll be happy to demonstrate.

As for Burms, the spring season has basically tailed off, I think. The lake's just too warm to support a good thermal. Next year, we can shoot for an earlier time to rally out. The only trouble is that most guys will want to hit Rush since the seasons coincide. But hey, falling in six inches of water is only a little better than falling onto soft ground!

-J

[bordy]

Glad you guys had fun. My buggy seat never got fixed so at home I sat..... maybe next time...

[Jon Manwaring]

How about a Fall season, do the thermals work then? Ceratinly no coflict with Rush, as it isn't there? We had a good time out there last year on Thanksgiving weekend.
Jon Mzee

[btjsfca]

I can't really tell if the fall winds are more atmospheric or more thermal. I suppose if we get a heat wave after a cool period, then we could get good thermals, but I'd say aim to catch north wind on some normal day. As long as it hasn't rained too hard recently. I've had some nice days out there in those conditions.

-J

[Mark Johnson]

Yea it was a good time riding the new buggy! Also the scally stuff Justin was talking about is actually fun in the buggy. It is good for doing high speed power slides.
As for a review of the buggy, it is a very nice ride for the price but it does have issues with the buckles on the seat straps (one broke and one is bent ready to break). I think I can figure something out to beef it up. I hope to get some good after work sessions soon!