The Bibbler

The PTW COUGAR II Like waiting for your first born To do a buggy review I feel you do need to have ridden in a few before making an in formed comment. I started out borrowing a Flexifoil-didn't like it. Then bought a Peter Lynn Competition- great beginners buggy, then got myself a Libre V Max II with midi wheels- then got rid of the front end and added a Windragon front end and bigfoot light and two BF lights on the back. Although the V max was amazing (so I thought) I felt as though something was missing............ Well, where do I start? I have wanted to own a PTW buggy since seeing Popeyethewelder blasting across Mablethorpe beach on Youtube in 2007. Then, twelve months on, I find myself sat in one...grinning from ear-to-ear, not wanting to give it back. I never thought for one moment that I would actually own one! You don't just buy a buggy from Carl.....it's a whole experience in itself! After a couple of conversations on RK and bouncing back a few emails, I said "..go on then, I'll have one, but I don't want it shiny"......."No problem" Carl said. Then he threw a load of questions at me and totally took me by surprise... What sized axle do you want? What types of wheels do you need? What length do you want? What width side rails? What width forks? Do you want a backrest? ...errrrrrrr.......hmmmmm...eeerrrrrrrrrr........If you want a PTW make sure you have at least some idea of the answers to these questions before contacting him. The buggy, I was told, would take about 2 months to build. It actually took no more than 2 weeks....but by his own admittance- he put in some extra time that he can't always do. PTW sent me pictures of the buggy every step and stage of its build, keeping me informed of the progress. When the buggy was ready I went to pick it up and dismantled it to put in my Suzuki Swift. Carl commented on how he never takes the buggies he builds to pieces once they're built! Windwelder supplied the wheels from 'the other side' and the seat and the covers were made by Jon and Helen at www.buggybags.co.uk The Specs - Axle 1630mm - Buggybags race seat and rail covers and TSG (Total Splash Guard) - Asymmetric wheels on Duro Bigfoots- on the back- 20mm bearings - Over sized Bigfoot light on the front on a barrow- 20mm bearings - Front forks wide enough to take a Cadkat wheel if I decide to change - Stainless steel GPS holder-with my name on...lol The Ride After getting the wheels and the covers I took the buggy out to Pontefract Park. My first day in it and I managed to beat my personal best! All you can hear when your sat in the buggy is the whirling of the bearings and on grass, there are no bumps to be felt- unlike the other buggies I had ridden. On The Beach The PTW Cougar II loves the beach! Even with the wide axle it is easy to manoeuvre although the turning circle is a little bigger than its smaller counterparts. On the smooth stuff it is like gliding across ice. On the rippled sand there is very little vibration as there is just enough flex in the frame to absorb it, keeping your feet firmly on the well designed foot pegs. The buggy is a fantastic cruiser and racer and is a credit to its creator. Carl has designed a buggy that would be more than worthy of commercial production, beating the better-known manufacturers with his attention to detail, customer service and engineering expertise combined with his hands on knowledge about what buggying should be about. Long may he reign! By : The Bibbler

The Beamer III is the ideal kite to get into buggying with. It comes in a sturdy bag with handles- and the infamous big zip. When I attached the lines everything was already perfectly set up- no need to tinker, unlike other kites I've had. The material is stiched strongly and the cells are edged to give it extra support and strength. The lines are 20m which make them a little short but are made nice and thick to carry (or pull) the heaviest of pilots. When you get a Beamer III everything you need is already in the bag: Kite, lines, handles, kite killers and ground stake. Theres even a "how to" guide. I think HQ excelled themselves when putting this package together and I think they actually listened to what beginners required when first starting out. The kite flys like a dream- straightto the top of the window and sits motionlessly. You can bring it into the powerzone and place and keep it exactly where you want it without having to fight it over flying like some(Bullet comes to mind!). I have flown this kite in the buggy with winds between 25-35 mph and felt confident that all it will do is pull with no nasties hidden up its sleave! Tacking and buggying up wind is a little dificult with this kite at first, but when you get used to how it flies on the edge of the window you can soon master flying nearly into the wind!! This is my favourite kite to play out with- its like putting on a comfy jumper when the wind is right. Its by no means an Ozone or Flexi when it comes to speed but the impressive build, quality and package give them more than a run for their money for 100 notes! Bibbler Rating: 8/10 (would have been a 9 but I feel the lines are too short) By : The Bibbler