Winter

Sorry for no updates, this is due to the winter weather and we haven't had a chance to get out and about with the kites.

WATCH THIS SPACE

Sand and Lines

Handles, lines and your kite comes
into contact with sand

Protecting your kite and your lines can save you money in th long run. Follow these tips and prolong the shelf line.

SAND
For all those flyers that like to ride on the beach, take note, sand is the number one enermy to your kite and your lines. Before you pack down your kite, brush off all the sand from your kite. Sand causes abrasive wear on the kite material and take away it's waterproofing credentials. If you can't clean at location, when you get home clean throughly with clean water, cleaning your kite, lines and handles. Never pack away your kite wet. Make sure your kite dries properly before packing down into your kite bag, otherwise you might get a nasty surprise from bad odors and even mildew. 

LINES

The number one cause for lines to break are badly maintained lines and knots. Knotes in your line will make them 50% weaker and put them in risk of breaking. Washing your lines in fresh water prevents the salt from eroding your lines. If one of your lines break, it's recommended that you change both lines and sometimes the full set of lines. 

Get rid of all that sand. Use fresh water and even
add waterproofing protection. (Check my pages to see how)

Ever wondered what to do with your Kites ground stake while riding your buggy. I know what you do, you put it in your kite bag then put your bag on your back. But what happens when your riding then your lines become twisted and tangled? You stop the buggy, take off your bag and get out your ground stake. 

Us Buggy Boys have come up with a solution that is cheap and effective and adds to your modification list on your buggy. 

 

SOLUTION

Get some washing machine hose and one HQ ground stake. If you don't own a ground stake a long old screwdriver would do the trick but with a bright handle so you can find your stake if you drop it somewhere. 

HQ ground stake and washing machine hosing

 

FITTING

Measure hose against ground stake adding approx. 2cm more hose in length.

 

Measure hosing against ground stake leaving 2cm more of hosing

Cut hose with cable cutters or a box knife. 

Cut hosing with cable cutters or a box knife...watch those fingers

As  you can see the hose diameter is slightly larger that the stake itself.

You will need about 5 heavy duty cable ties to attach the hose to the buggy frame. Make sure you leave the stake in the hosing, don't be temped to attach it without the stake. 

Position hosing against frame, lightly tightening cable ties

Attach the cable ties to the frame and hose, don't over tighten until all ties are in place. Once in place (and the ground stake in the hose) give the cable ties a good tighten so the stake is firmly in the hose. 

Over tighten cable ties in position with ground stake in hose

When positioning your cable ties be sure there is good clearance from the tyre. I suggest using my positioning as a guideline. 

Cut as close as possible to end of cable tie

Finish up by tidying up the cable ties using cable cutters, getting as close to the end as possible. 

 You are ready to rock and roll (and yes that is my foot not a hand)

And wa-la, one ground stake holder that is easy assessable when riding your buggy. But again be sure to over tighten your cable ties. In the picture it looks like there is a big gab between the hose and the ground stake but I can assure you that puppy isn't going anywhere.

Sideframe Padding

Side frame padding

Okay so you are out bugging for several hours and you take a quick lunch break. Upon return you feel like you are walking like John Wayne then you realise your legs are killing from the side frame of the buggy. 

SOLUTION

Get some side frame padding. Okay you know what you need but how can you get some. You switch on the computer and begin your searching, Nothing....! Okay that's frustrating, you seen the blue stuff on new buggies or on people at the beach so how can you get hold of some. 

ANSWER U.S

If you are in the US you can get yourself some 'Big Boy Noodles' (approx $9.99), no it's not some kind of Chinese dish, they are swimming pool noodles that are used as floatation aids for kids or not very strong swimmers. The reason why i suggest these is not because the brand has contact me to feature them but the fact when they are made the manufacturing process requires them to have a 1/2 inch hole down the center which is perfect for your side frame. These are perfect as they are strong, bendy and designed for the water so the water is repelled from the foam so wont get heavy.  

FITTING U.S

Measure and cut the foam to size using a bread knife, take the side frame apart using a spanner. Reach for the Vaseline and apply some to the metal frame, then slide the noodle down the metal shaft. You might need some strong force to get it around the curves in the frame depending on what model buggy you have. If you have Sharpe edges on your frame work i would suggest covering it with some duck tape to stop the metal tearing the foam inside. 

ANSWER UK

US readers look away now. I've found the best and cheapest way to cover your side frame is to pop to your local B&Q and look in the plumbing section. What you need is 'Pipelagging'

B&Q pipe lagging

It's cheap (52p) strong and very flexible. I found that i didn't need to use Vaseline to slide this over my frame work. 

FITTING

Tools you will need

What you will need is, pipe lagging, tape measure and bread knife

B&Q Pipe lagging with 1/2 hole in center

...as you can see the pipe lagging has a cut half way through the foam, you don't want to cut this if you can help it. Otherwise you will have to use cable-ties to hold it in place. 

Carefully measure

... measure your frame work. I have a Peter Lynn folding buggy so your frame work might differ. I've left half an inch each side as the frame folds away so you don't want to restrict movement. 

Take care when cutting, and take your time

... cut foam lagging with a bread knife, you can use a box cutting knife but i find the serrated knife works perfect and gives the best result. 

You need force but be careful not to tear the foam

... slide the padding up the frame work, you might need to use force. A bit of Vaseline would help do the trick or any water based lubricant. Your buggy might differ so you might have to take off the frame work to position your foam padding.

Gap left for folding buggies

Finished result

... The foam padding will have a nice snug fit, if you find that yours tends to move around the frame work, simply use some cable-ties to hold them in place. 

 ... seat in position, padding installed = comfortable longer riding time.

Beautiful

 I've reviewed the padding and decided that there wasn't enough on the underside of my legs. B&Q offer two sized pipe lagging, the side arms require the 1/2inch hole and the front frame (located at the front of the seat) requires the 13mm hole in the center. 

You will have to angle the ends for a snug fit

Measure and cut the foam tubing. Because the metal frame is a lot thicker than the side arms you will need to cut along half pre-cut line, again use a serrated knife for this. To get a snug fit you will have to cut the ends at an angle for a snug fit.

Make sure there are no Sharpe ends left on your cable ties

Because the foam tubing has been cut it will fall off. I suggest using some cable ties to hold in place. Position the cable ties where they will not rub against your seat strapping as it could cause wear in your seat cables.