JoJo1

Well 72.8mph, is the well known documented speed by Luk Stanek http://pic7.piczo.com/Popeyethewelder/?g=44407598&cr=7, he has an interesting story about that day on the same page...as far as 100mph, in the right place with the right buggy and wheels, right kite, with the right wind & on the right surface, I would say so yes We will hit 100 mph in a buggy some day over here state side. The day Luk hit 72 Eli and I were only a couple of mph behind him using my gps and going one at a time telling each other to beat the max speed on the gps. That is why the only pics for speed that day were Luk's as the gps would immediately go back out with the cocky words of beat the max *****!! We were all on JoJo RM kites and now we have RM+ kites and Eli has switched to yaks, but it will come. I have found a new dry lake bed state side that makes Ivanpah look SMALL and makes the surface look like s*** compared to the new dry lake smooth as can be and over 20 miles long at the shortest distance across the lake and 40 miles long at the widest section. It will take some time, but I can see 100 mph in a buggy some day in the near future. Big John JoJo1

You would need to modify the design - Ivanpah eats rubber, fresh tyres every day so they use barrows only. Bigfoots are not economical or required! Since they are on Barrows I don't think they need anything bigger than a Vmax, and in all the films I've seen many of them use PLs! You have to understand that they aren't racing on a firm sandy beach, the surface is more like concrete and they don't need the same power to go crazy fast that we do on sand, therefore they don't need huge buggies to hold down the power. Talk to Gray or Burgy or Garry or I'm sure a few others have been - Steve Walt Webb? It's totally different to what we are used to! I would love to try Ivanpah, I would also love to see what the Americans make of Hoylake bank! we are probably missing something mind, they only have Ivanpah for one week of the year as I understand it and come from all over the US to race there, therefore one must assume they have other terrain for the other 51 weeks....??? It's not like they are short of choice of terrain! Jim Hey Jim you are fairly right with Ivanpah we have the lake bed for a week for just buggying. Though with a permit you may buggy the lake whenever as long as it is dry. There are so many different dry lakes in that area it is not even funny. If you look @ the NABX site several buggy people choose to do the 7 lake challenge on their way to Ivanpah. So there are many different choices and types of terrain over here. We also have lots of great beach action over here the two best places in my opinion r Galveston in Texas and Sunset in Oregon. You r also right that a lot of guys are still on peter Lynn buggies here, but serious speed guys r running libre harcore buggies with 160cm rear axle smooth barrow tires, custom adjustable front fork rake stems, cannon ball lead weights attached over the wheels, and custom balanced aluminum wheels. So we r not in the stone age when it comes to buggy stuff as some may think. We do not have the established race scene like Europe does and I wish that we did the numbers for active participation are just not there. As far as old Rm's all I have from my set that has not sold is a 5 meter in Red and white. As Burgy stated when he and Gray came over they had a blast. We like to have fun on the lake and we enjoy folks coming over from across the pond to play with us in the sport we all love. I am sure that they learned a bit from their trip as to tire selection for the dry lake as Jim stated the dry lake is as hard as concrete and ruffer than the toughest grit of sandpaper. If you come out @ speeds in excess of 70mph there wont be much need in even calling for an ambulance. Big John JoJo1:)

Steve B what is up my brother it has been a while since I have talked with you. How have you and G. Steel been? I would sure like to make it over for a World race one of these days. I just have yet to be able to make room for the time I would have to have for a trip over there. There is way to many places I would have to go especially Amsterdam which of course you know this:D . Simon I would gladly accept your challenge and would probably even give you a head start or run backwards given the kites you r claiming r the best haha. Would you like to come to our dry lake where we set the World Speed record or would you like smooth winds from one of our beachs:) Big John JoJo1

The JoJo all day long is my opinion for sure. The new JoJo RM + is a bit better than a regular rm in my opinion also. I have the whole set of the Rm+ kites and I would not fly anything else even if they were given to me for free! The Rm+ is an amazing kite solid in the sky and almost scary fast definately not a kite for the timid unless you don't fly the kite in the winds it was intended for then they are not to scary which is what I see most people flying them, but then you put the kites up in the right winds and they are the bugatti veryon of kites for sure nothing is faster in the right hands. I have played with the yakuza and they were decent kites, but I would bet my pink slip against one every time. Big John JoJo1:D

You might give our power handles a try. We have been using these handles U.S. side for years now. They are the best handles I have ever used IMHO. They do amazing things with race kites and are now availiable for purchase from your one stop shop for Libre and JoJo products KBSS. Here is a link to the handles and other custom trick bits. http://www.kitebuggyspeedshop.com/accessories.htm Big John JoJo1:D

Hey guys the new site is up for JoJo and Libre U.S. Here is the the url. www.kitebuggyspeedshop.com take a look at the site and give us your thoughts and opinions. A lot more is still yet to come for the site in the future. Big John JoJo1

I see that you met my NW brothers. I think you r a bit misunderstood with the RM+ kites. First off the brakes r a bit harder on my personal kites and J. Ellis kites due to the fact we r running a pulley type setup which makes the brakes a lot harder to pull, but allows you to snap turn a huge kite or even manipulate the wing shape by feeding brake to the kite through the pulley and dumping wind off the trailing edge of the wing. Another statement that you said you have to size up a kite with all other kites is also very much FALSE we size up a meter over what we would have flown had the kite been the old JoJo RM not other kite brands this is due to how much further around the RM+ comes in the window we can go up at least one size as opposed to a JoJo RM. That is the what make the world go around get whatever you want and like personally for me I would not fly anything else even if it was given to me for FREE. PS the 16 was made custom for the few in the world that want to really push the limits. I wish that I would have made the event I was to busy this year would have loved to join Ellis and Bison flying RM+ 12's while everyone else was on 3 meter kites would have been fun, but I guess I will have to wait for DBBB to get some excitement.

If you are after speed in low wind cond. try a JoJo Rm+ 14 or if you really want to play try a custom order Rm+ 16:D amazing kites and very manageable in the air super fast turning especially with the pulley handles we use with the kites. We are getting some very nice speeds in almost no wind conditions. Big John JoJo1

look at the new apple nano ipod. I just got one given to me as a gift, and they also got me the arm strap for it nice new toy. I tried it this weekend ran the wire up through the sleeve and plug the little ear pieces into your ears and you're off. The bonus it holds 1000 songs so set it to shuffle and you have music for a couple of days before you hear the same song again. Big John

Hey Mark things are good over here on the other side of the pond. Been real busy since I decided to go back to school and getting my new website up and running www.kiteXtremes.com which should be ready to launch by the end of the week. I just need to finish up some video for the site. I will be selling all Libre and JoJo product line along with several different custom items that we are going to produce. The site will also host a free online kite classified and forum. Another good perk is that I will ship all over the world for FREE. After I get all of this done then it will be time to start getting ready for DBBB a great fun traction event over here down in Galveston, Texas. This event is a lot of fun great beaches, good friends, and great food. This event is held during the week of Thanksgiving. This year I see that we even have some folks registered coming all the way from Austrailia so it is already shaping up to be great fun. Big John PS Did you ever make yourself a set of the pulley handles.

for help in BC contact Luk Stanek @ luk@skylinewings.com I am sure that he will be more than willing to give you some help and pointers. He is about 45 mins. outside Vancouver. Big John

I have a very nice rack built that will haul two libre buggies or whatever you wanted to put on it as far as big race buggies. I have never posted a pic. in here before and I could not figure it out. The rack is not very exspensive to make. I didn't have a welder so I had a shop make one for me and they charged 150.00 US dollars so not to much. Anyone who would like to see a pic. either tell me how I can get it on here, send PM with email address, or send email to jromanek@cox.net and I will be happy to send a pic of the rack. I sure love it. The rack works really well and the buggies ride great. Big John

Boater give me a break there buddy you have no bloody idea what the Inland conditions of a storms gust front bring here in Oklahoma. I have flown an RM 3 in winds of 60mph @ Ivanpah a few yrs back when us JoJo boys set the current world record speed. Have you been over 70 mph in a buggy well I have:D . You call bull**** just, because you are scared of conditions like that. Come on over to the desert if you ever want to play. Big John JoJo1

No that is not a Head to Head competition bet, so no he would not have to give his kite up. The standing bet is Head to Head to a mark and back you fly whatever you want and we fly whatever size we want. Winner takes the kites. Yes, Kurt Anderson is good he has been spanking his boy Eli since they started kiting almost 20 yrs ago and still does today:D .

you have to be kidding me Kurt Anderson would kick 99% of the buggy worlds ass in a head to head comp. We have no whines the team JoJo guys have had a long standing bet bring whatever kite you want and the pinkslip and lets race it's a Put Up or SHUT UP thing. JoJo1:D

Sorry Dave the Excuza has already been beat. No worries over here about ozone hanging with a far SUPERIOR FOIL the JoJo RM+. Vio I have seen them a buddy was flying for them over here I didn't care for them and thought they were way over priced and were not very good. My comment is you need to be able to fly your race kite in any cond. It was 20- gusting to 45 mph here yesterday and I was out with a RM+4 no luffs no frontals just good clean fun all day. If you do not have the skills to be flying race kites in gusty conditions try JoJo instincts, Libre speedy 2, Libre Vampir. In my opinion the only other kites I would own. Big John JoJo1 I found the comment about the RM+ having lost it's edge very interesting. The die hard + pilots over here are already taking potshot comments at the Yakuza, which tells me they're nervous that a Yak in the right hands might beat them. Agree time will tell, should be interesting. Thanks again all.

Greetings, Buggy Family world wide! GREAT NEWS, EVEN BETTER THAN HOPED FOR!!! My attorney, Raymond Gomez, has secured a COMPLETE DISMISSAL OF ALL CHARGES, WITH PREJUDICE!!! Most important is the "with prejudice" part of this judicial decision; it means that the charges levelled against ME cannot be used against anyone, for this offense, ever again! Hear this, everyone: In California, a kite buggy CANNOT BE CITED AS A VEHICLE, and in California, using a kite buggy on a public beach CANNOT BE CLASSIFIED AS "GAMES OR ACTIVITIES WHICH ENDANGER THE PUBLIC". This decision was handed down on June 29th at 9:00 a.m. in Department 14 of the California Superior Court in San Diego County, by the Honorable Richard Mills. The reason the news was held until this late date was that if the District Attorney or the officer who cited me wanted to charge me with some other offense, and re-submit the case, they had these last two weeks to do it. Nothing was filed, so I am free of any further harassment for this incident, and legal precedent has been established by the court as previously stated. WHOOPEE!!! WE WON!!! And a better win than I could have hoped for. Now, if the fund is working, all I have to do is come up with $2500 to make it feel like this never happened. Legally, it never happened, and can never happen to anyone else in exactly this same way. The Fun Police will have to come up with some other charge to use. Now, the hard part begins: negotiating with the constabulary that rule the State Beach to get a COOPERATIVE agreement going that allows our sport, with appropriate limitations (rather than criminal charges), and so that future buggy pilots will know the "road rules" and how to deal with the authorities in these venues. As goes California, so goes the nation, or so they say... so now we have our work cut out for us. Finding the right people, presenting the right facts and literature, arranging some sit-downs, or even a buggy demonstration and education session for decision-makers in the State Parks and Recreation bureaucracy. So... a very positive outcome for all of us, and a very hopeful stage has been set for further "ambassadorship" of our sport, with the long-term goal of spreading this great pastime to more people, in more places, legally and hassle-free. Needless to say, I'm walking on air, and must repeat myself again: THANK YOU, TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED AND GAVE THOUGHT, TIME, EFFORT, AND MONEY ON MY BEHALF!!! You guys had as much to do with my ability to go forward with this thing as anyone, and you all deserve a HUGE amount of credit for taking this on with the attitude that you did. This is why we value our growing numbers, and why we act together, shoulder to shoulder, when something like this happens. It's a big, fat WE in the statement, "WE WON". -The FORMER Karlsbad Kite Kriminal

Here is the most up to date info. Big John JoJo1 http://www.powerkiteforum.com/images/maintheme/quote.gif Well, folks, the Coreylama said it first and best, as he often does, and I'm fair bursting with pride that it was him, as I have been expecting all along. This NABX group is growing into something of which we can all be proud of our association and contributions. And the retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers of our gear are a big, fully integrated part of the whole thing, too. Much more so than AKA, or even the ARC, if you ask me... what other sport allows you to go out and play side-by-side with the guy who designed your rig, and even bitch at him about welding quality, or, God forbid! steal his hat. http://www.powerkiteforum.com/images/smilies/shocked.gif) I had just corresponded with Coreylama, before reading his post here, and it's a good thing. I prolly woulda gotten all mushy in my email to him, and scared him real good. Thanks, Corey, for saying the right words at the right time once again, as you are so adept at doing. Of course, it can't hurt to throw out a general "thank you" to the NABX crew and all the buggy family out there, too. I know I've said it too often, but you folks just can't know how awesome and uplifting this whole process has become for me... from the pits of depression and ready to sell my buggy and quit, I've been lifted up to a place where I think just about anything is possible for this group of rascally Americans. I told Corey... King George shoulda sent us to Iraq... the whole place would be partying (and buggying) by now, and the Iraqis would be wondering when all these Bedouins emigrated to the U.S.! But to topic... Latest News: My attorney called yesterday, and we set an appointment for Tuesday next at 10:00 a.m. He said, "I think there's a distinct possibility I'll have some very good news by then." He wouldn't say any more. Please meditate on "dismissal, dismissal, dismissal". No expensive trial, nothing on my record that I didn't deserve to have there (yes, there's a past out there, like most of us). Every last one of you reading this is a brother (or sister) from another mother, to me. Thank you again, and stay tuned. -The Karlsbad Kite Kriminal -aka "Lack-O-Slack" -aka Mike Dooley -AKA Pilot 116866

try American kite buggy chat group on MSN. Make sure you post them in the for sale side or the thread will be deleted by moderator. JoJo1 Big John

Here is a detailed sketch with the measurements. I hope this works. Big John JoJo1 http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TACrAqsW0lqXblyw3*eyOyffg4V5EllUtOPifWbFdhQ5ZsNh2eTj4cPs!mH*GpK10DRyq1YcyR0aumNLVHl78qSgMXjF5R62AGySYDz9Byc3tCctVTiO6w/TMP10.JPG?dc=4675430552364065551

I have the power handles on kites RM+4 through RM+14. They are wonderfull to use. If you guys try and make a set I would not recomend straying from the diagram on American Kite buggy and I would only use Harken pulley as I have seen others over here that have tried to make the handles with lesser pulleys and they were junk. Jon and I have seen benefits with the handles on the above mentionded size kites. I tried them on the RM+ 2, 2.5, and 3, but found no benefit for them. We can turn the big kites within their wing if we need to. One thing I will tell is that it is a whole new style to your flying. The hands need to move all over the handles, but it is all worth it when you snap turn and 14 meter kite. We still see new things that these handles benefit us with not just in turning the big kites. We have been flying these for about three years now they are not cheap to make the right way, but if you give a set a go you will see why I have spent so much time and money making them for almost all of my kites Big John:D

Mike Dooley Legal Defense Fund The fund defense fund has been set up with the NABX through Claxton Thompson. Claxton Thompson [claxton@nabx.net] for questions on the fund Pay-Pal(registration@nabx.net) note: make sure to tag it with MDLDF Mail contributions to MDLDF care of Claxton Thompson, 1916 Castle Bay Ct., Oldsmar, FL 34677 Jon Ellis

This so-called "Lifeguard" who wrote me a citation was, to put it bluntly, spanking me with his ticket book for daring to question his judgment that 10 people on a beach was too big a crowd for kite buggying. And now, because he had no real ordinance forbidding my activities, he chose a criminal offense to charge me with, thus criminalizing my activities, if a conviction results. That means that legally, the activity of riding a kite buggy on a beach will forever be established as "operating a vehicle", and the authorities have a nice, convenient method of denying access to kite buggies everywhere. So, clearly, this is not just my battle... it affects every one of us who love to buggy. The fact that the citation was issued in a California State Park makes things even more grim... many of the places we frequent are governed by State entities, and those that aren't are federally controlled, and fall under the recently-sneaked House Resolution 3283, the "Recreational Enhancement Act", or as opponents call it, the "Recreation Access Tax" or RAT. There is a land grab on... I work for a real estate association, and land is reaching record values right now, ridiculously over-valued in fact, which wakes up the land management agencies to the fact that if they choose to sell off some of our national heritage of public lands, they can make a fortune, and fast. So, the Forest Service has launched an evaluation program that will research the profitability of all of their managed parks, nature preserves, hiking and camping venues, equestrian trails, trailheads, and grazing land. When the analysis is done, they will close and/or sell off every bit of it that does not produce a profit. Kiss your children's public lands goodbye. Several states and municipalities have already funded and begun a movement for repeal of HR3283, and more are joining the fight. We all need to write to our elected officials and voice our support for the repeal of this political land grab that threatens ALL of the places we go to play... beaches, dry lakes, deserts, all public lands. As to my case, I will fight the charges because they're false charges, and because I don't want a pair of misdemeanors on my record, nor huge fines and jail time. If, as some have said, this is purely my problem and my own fault for choosing to buggy at my home beach, where I've been buggying for nearly seven years now, so be it. When the only place anyone can buggy is a permitted event or their own backyard, then we'll see if it's just Dooley's problem. I didn't cause the problem, either... I simply did what I've been doing nearly every free weekend for seven years, and I happened to run into the one asshole with a badge in the area. Every other ranger in that park was friendly, accepting, and communicative with me, and we had a good agreement as to when I would confine my activities to a more restricted area of the park. NEVER was I asked to leave, or told that what I was doing was illegal or forbidden, until this one wannabe Dirty Harry came along. This could have happened to any one of you, too, and probably will, at some point. Wouldn't you like to think that by paying a little higher membership dues, and contributing to a legal defense fund, you'd be taken care of and defended by the organization that promotes your favorite activity? That someone would have access to government at the necessary levels to negotiate agreements that provide special access, permits, and designated areas for our fun? These are the things that sports organizations do, so that thousands of Mexican soccer players can take over your local park and throw you out, or thousands of motorcycle and ATV riders can move in on your lakebed and make it impossible to ignore their buzzing, screaming toys. They've got juice, because the manufacturers of their toys, who depend upon their spending habits, were willing to ante up, put their money where there mouths were, and form organizations like the "American Recreation Coalition", representing the interests of drunken gear-heads nationwide. So, kite retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers.... WHERE'S THE BEEF? You want us to buy buggies, kite surf gear, kite boats, all the stuff that brings in those high margins, you'd better act to preserve the legality and legitimacy of our sports, or guess what? No more sales. Nobody's going to spend 12-1500 bucks for toys that are banned everywhere. Kick back, run your website, process those orders, and watch the interest dwindle away, until you can't sustain your leases anymore, and your business dies. Or, get active, participate in things that don't directly make profits, give back to the community that supports you, and help preserve the places and the membership that keeps your profits rolling in. Participate in your Chamber of Commerce, stage festivals in your towns, pester the hell out of your City Council when something unfair happens, like happened to me, and let your customers know that you're on their team. The AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) does these things, the ARC does these things, hell, the American Kennel Club does these things for DOGS, for chrissakes... where is our representation?. Funny, but when they tried to introduce stricter gun control, jeeezus what an uproar! And after all, guns do a lot more good for Americans than kites and buggies ever could, right? If you're not cynical now, going through an experience like mine could sure make you a cynic in a hurry. If this turns out badly, look for a cheap deal on a nice set of gear... I won't buggy no more. I'll join the local militia and volunteer to "thin the herd". Guns are okay, everywhere! -Dooley From: buggymangp Sent: 6/24/2005 5:00 AM hey guys I e mailed mikey. wanting to send him some cash. he told me to wait. my money is waiting to be sent. just tell me where and when. glenn nice stunt kite!!! can you buggy with it??? I’d rather be wind powered. go drive a kite. buggying is not a crime!!!! its a way of life!!!!!!! there is power in the wind. use it!!!!! ---Original Message----- From: David Gomberg [mailto:David@GombergKites.com] Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 11:05 AM To: Traction Kiting Committee Subject: Traction Committee Involvement needed NOW! To the members of the AKA Traction Committee: As you may know, we have a serious situation unfolding in California. One of our AKA members will soon face a criminal hearing for buggying on a public beach. I want the AKA to take a meaningful role in this case. Within the AKA structure, we have officers and committees with designated areas of responsibility. On traction issues, we look to you -- the AKA Traction Committee. The entire AKA structure is here to provide support, but your group has the opportunity and responsibility to provide leadership and direction. So the bottom line is -- when someone asks me what the AKA is going to do about this, I'm going to be looking to you for an answer. · we need a strategy and program for involvement in the case. · we need regular feedback that we can provide to members in the area and nationally. · we need direction on who to write, what to say, and when to show up. · I need weekly reports which can be shared with the Board of Directors. Later today I'll be writing to members in California soliciting legal help in the case. Finding a flying attorney willing to help is a long shot, but we start by asking. Does AKA have a legal defense fund with a pile of cash available? No. But if funds are needed we can solicit them from members. Again, I need your committee to take the lead. AKA has the ability to bulk email members nationally or in specific regions. We have documents, safety manuals, and materials in magazines or online that are available as evidence. I can appoint new members to the committee. You have access to the AKA letterhead for correspondence. I'll be happy to sign letters but need your committee to draft them. Now is the time for the AKA Traction Committee to step up and demonstrate that the Association is serious in our support for the Traction Community. David Gomberg President ********************** From: To: Subject: Update and plea Greetings, Dave! I have attended my arraignment on the supposed "infractions" for which I was cited, while kite-buggying at Carlsbad State Beach in San Diego. The charges against me were violations of the California Code of Regulations, which are applied on state property, and it turns out they are full misdemeanors, and not adjudicable as infractions at all. So, I've been bound over for arraignment in Criminal Court, to take place next Wednesday, June 29th. The charges are: CCR 4319, Games and Activities which endanger the public, and CCR 4355, Operating a vehicle on a beach. Dave, neither of these charges are legitimate to what I was doing... there were exactly 11 people on a quarter-mile of beach, including the Lifeguard who wrote the citation. My average speed, by my accurately (GPS) calibrated bicycle speedometer, was 10 mph over a two-hour period. The tide was at low water mark, so the beach was about 25 yards deep, from water to soft sand, and the single long run I did up the beach was through a completely deserted section... not ONE SINGLE PERSON on the whole stretch, until I reached a small crowd of beachgoers and turned around for the return run. I never approached anyone closer than 10 feet, at any time, and it was a light wind and a 3.7 meter kite, so I was going a very sedate, slightly-faster-than-walking speed. I have been doing this, at this beach, since 1999, with never a problem with any of the rangers or lifeguards... I talked with most of them, and had a standing agreement that if things started to "crowd up", I would vacate! the sand beach and only sail on the mesa which overlooks the beach, and where no one sits or sunbathes. Now, a judge friend of mine has advised that I get an attorney, as these misdemeanors can carry huge fines and even possible jail time. I've contacted a legal referral service, and will meet with a criminal attorney this Friday, June 24th, at 4:00 p.m. I'm supplying all this detail to support my plea that the AKA either help me with this case by subsidizing my attorney fees, or by referring me to a member attorney who can argue my case, and who understands recreational access issues and the law. This is both an opportunity and a threat to our favorite pastime, in that state regulators could outlaw beach kite flying altogether, in order to deal with recreational kite flyers in their jurisdiction, or could establish prosecutorial legal precedent by classifying a kite buggy as a vehicle and restricting their access to recreational venues and public lands everywhere, or applying taxes or fees that punish us for our choice of recreational pursuit. I recognize that you may be limited in your choices of support for me in this case, but I'm pleading for anything you can supply, be it letters, pamphlets, anything that elucidates the AKA's stance on safety, safe buggying, buggying in general as a family-oriented and healthy activity, my position as California Representative to the Traction Kite Committee, my efforts in securing First Aid kits for AKA events, anything positive. Of course, any means of funding or subsidizing my defense or obtaining access to legal advice from an attorney-member of AKA or a recreation specialist attorney would be highly desirable... I don't have much spare cash, and this thing is going to exhaust it all, very quickly. Please let me know anything you can offer. Thank you! -Mike Dooley, aka "Lack-O-Slack" (760) 525-6812 mike@nsdcar.com (work) mtd1952@cox.net (private) Here's today's news: Spoke with attorney this afternoon... he charges a flat fee of $2500.00 for the entire case. He recommends plea-bargaining down to an infraction again, which takes it out of the Criminal Court process, and then I'd just pay a fine and get an infraction conviction on my record. IT IS DEFINITELY A CRIME TO BUGGY IN CALIFORNIA IF ANY PEACE OFFICER WANTS TO MAKE IT SO. I even asked if I could counter-sue the "Lifeguard" for my expense and emotional distress, but no... "peace officers" are protected by their badge from retaliatory lawsuits. So, bottom line, even if the charges are completely inappropriate to the so-called "crime", the cop's word prevails, we have no "rights", and if the courts have processed things to the point of a trial date being set, as in my case, there's no paying the bail and walking away. From a purely cost-analysis standpoint, I should have paid the $360.00 bail, accepted two convictions on my record, and walked away at the first opportunity. Seeking to defend the truth is only for the wealthy, apparently. And if you're a workin' stiff, and you run afoul of a cop in a bad mood, the cop gets to completely screw you with impunity. The scary part is that this is truly a criminal matter now, and if I were to lose the case, or try to defend it myself, I'd probably do some serious county jail time, along with a huge fine, according to the attorney. His comment was, "Even morons can get a badge and a gun, these days, and you, Mr. Dooley, were unfortunate enough to find one." I asked if I stood a chance of finding someone cheaper to defend me, and he said that there were plenty of lawyers who did not specialize in criminal law, but that I wouldn't want to hire one and test their skills in criminal court... there's too much at stake, in my case. I'd probably do jail time. So there it is... and here's my plan. Borrow the $2500 on a payroll loan at work, and pay it back over the next year. This means no vacation this year, no WSIKF trip, no weekend camp-outs (with gas going to $3.00 a gallon here in California, soon). I will sell my buggy gear to help with the costs, and go back to painting and backpacking, when I finally get my head back above water. I'm done with this sport, this so-called "club", and with trying to recreate in public places. As soon as I can get this last daughter educated and out the door, I'm moving to Montana, or someplace equally sparsely populated, and see how long I can live on weenies and beans. -Dooley We need your help, please send whatever you can to help with Buggying is not a crime defense fund. Contact the AKA TKC or trijon@pacifier.com or Mike Dooley. Jon Ellis

Below is a discussion about a buggier in California that has serious a serious court battle ahead. The post below will explain. We hope to provide the money for his defense (our future buggy rights) which will total over $2500. Claxton with the NABX Will be collecting the donations and then getting them to Mike Dooley. This is fight we all have a stake in as the outcome will affect all buggiers sooner or later. Claxton Thompson responded with this. Jon, I got your voice message. I will call you later. By all means go ahead and post Mike Dooley Legal Defense Fund on the Message board. Those who want to contribute can use Pay-Pal(registration@nabx.net) or send Check to Claxton Thompson / NABX and put on comment MDLDF. I will call the other Members of NABX if you have not. NABX Will do all we can to support Mike's efforts for legal defense. Claxton A.Thompson These are the TKC posts regarding this issue. Jon Ellis trijon@pacifier.com From: Lack-O-Slack Sent: 6/15/2005 11:52 AM Greetings, fellow Buggiers... I have received the bail notice for my two "offenses"... apparently buggying IS a crime in California. The bail to just pay and forget the ticket is a whopping $360.00! Needless to say, they've got a fight on their hands. I'm charged with "endangering the public" and with "operating a vehicle on a beach", both violations of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). I committed neither offense, in fact. No one was ever endangered by my 10-mph activities, and a kite buggy is NOT a "vehicle", but an item of sports equipment, like a landboard, a bicycle, or a racing wheelchair, all of which are allowed equal access to beaches in California. I am being denied equal access due to the ignorance of the enforcing officer, and that will be my approach in court. I get a hearing on June 22nd, at which I will enter a plea of "not guilty" to both charges, and request a trial by judge. Then, I will be contacting Mr. Gomberg, Mr. Ellis, and anyone else who will listen, seeking any articles, stories, manuals, safety publications, or photos/videos that could support my contentions that: a. There is no inherent "danger to the public" in the operation of a kite buggy in an open, uncrowded venue. b. That a kite buggy is completely unpowered unless occupied by a human flying a kite in a manner that generates traction, and that it is, by virtue of these characteristics, a human-powered land craft akin to a wheelchair, bicycle, or scooter, all of which are allowed free access to California's beaches, parks, and trails, and NONE of which are regulated as "vehicles". Please, please... this could be monumental in import to the future of our sport... put on your thinking caps, and post in this forum anything you might feel is relevant to this case... ANYTHING! A news clipping about a similar attempt to restrict access to a recreational resource, esp. if the case resulted in a "win" for the defendant. Any commentary from any public official or any article or report that identifies a classification of buggies as anything other than a "vehicle", anything even remotely applicable, post it here or send it to me directly at mtd1952@cox.net Thank you, folks, for your support! KITE BUGGY IS NOT A CRIME! David Gomberg replied and he is hoping to see some articles from us... HELP Jon I'll be there to help! And I can hardly wait to see the articles.... Dg Greetings, Jon and TKC members: Well, there is very bad news, and some possibly good news, but a negative impact on me, nonetheless. I attended my arraignment in traffic court today, and was going to plead "not guilty" and request a trial by written declaration. Since the charges against me were identified on my citation as "infractions", and not misdemeanors, this option was open to me, and I could have submitted a written testimonial and documentary evidence of the safety of kite buggying on a beach in relatively uncrowded conditions, along with evidence of my having participated in this activity on this beach since 1999 without incident. However, a young man about to enter boot camp, and fighting a charge of skateboarding in a posted no-skateboard zone, was informed that the city of Carlsbad, where I also was charged, does not allow trials by written declaration, and that he'd have to choose jury or judge for his trial. He plead guilty and got the judge to assess a liberal payment plan for his $145.00 offense. Now, I come before the judge and he adopts a look of consternation upon reading my citation, then explains that I am charged NOT under the vehicle code, or local ordinances, but under the California Code of Regulations, since my "offense" occurred on state property. So, despite the officer having circled, twice, the little "infraction" box on the ticket, the codes I'm charged with are full misdemeanors, and can only be adjudicated in Criminal Court. Each offense carries up to a $5000.00 fine, and up to 6 months in jail... so if I lose, I could pay $10,000.00 in fines and spend up to one year in the County Jail. For buggying. On a state beach, in my state of birth, and where I have been buggying without incident or even argument since 1999. My only hope, at this point, is that due to the errors in writing the citation, I can submit a motion for dismissal. This is quite possible, but I cannot do this myself... I must hire an attorney. I called the legal referral line, and will visit an attorney this Friday, June 24th, for my free half-hour consultation, and then will have to pay whatever the guy's retainer is, to have him fight my case. This is going to cost me some serious money, which will set me back financially for probably a year or so... except that I will increase my efforts at moonlighting on weeknights and weekends (doing PC repair, virus removal, securing home networks, etc.). Folks, I'm a pretty reasonable and liberal guy, but it's time to **** or get off the pot, and I'm putting my personal finances and even my freedom at risk for a cause that affects all kitefliers everywhere, whether they know it, or acknowledge it, or not. The precedent set in my case could provide grounds for restriction of access to all of us, everywhere... the bureaucrats don't need much of an opening, now, do they? Just ask somebody fighting a war in a country that had absolutely no connection to 9/11 or Al Qaeda, no weapons of mass destruction, and no relations with the REAL perpetrators of 9/11... Saudi Arabia. Obviously, the truth or fairness have nothing to do with our political and legal systems in America today. Go figger. As things stand at this moment in time, kite buggying on a beach in California IS a crime. I want to change that, and I'm embarking on the footwork to do just that, along with trying to organize the first Wind Festival in San Diego County. I'm hoping this will be an AKA-sanctioned event, and will attract great crowds and attention to kiting in an area ideally suited to our sport, with incomparable weather and beautiful places to play. I will, hopefully, meet with the operator of the venue at Lake Henshaw, in the Cleveland National Forest, this weekend. Involvement of the local Indian tribes will contribute Native American Wind Ceremonies and some serious funding, blocks of rooms at their casino/hotel complex 17 miles down the road from the site, and a great deal of legitimacy with any municipal or governmental agencies involved. Gawd, I feel like a young hippie again, with a cause! Get out of Iraq and go fly a kite, dammit! Fly one for an American soldier, every day, until they are brought home. This is Vietnam all over again, and it stinks beyond belief. If you don't believe that, you need to do some remedial reading on Halliburton and their subcontractors, and their corporate history. Okay, okay... I'm off the soap box. -Dooley I'm at the point of total frustration and depression about this whole incident, and I can only wait and see what happens, and take care of my legal risks to the best of my ability and my wallet's capacity. Jeez, all I wanted to do was spend an afternoon at my home beach, doing the thing I love most to do. It's a crime, I must be punished. I guess I shoulda built a nice amusement park in my backyard, and taken up sleeping with little boys as a hobby... in America, THAT's not a crime! - From: Jon Sent: 6/23/2005 5:52 PM Hey All Talked to David Gomberg and there are no funds for a lawyer. They are going to send out a mass email fishing for a lawyer that will help us. Talked to Dean Jordon and he will also call David Gomberg. He also said they went through something like this and he will look to see if there is anything that will help us. Talked to Corey and he said the ticket is not the problem, the law that is on the books now is. He said that David Sabilino of SeasideCA has a lot of contacts in Mikes area regarding this issue, so I will call him this evening or Mike can call him. He also said Chris Schulz had information that could help. Call Gena with the BLM and ask for a letter from her observing our sport and the safety guide lines we us that she has seen. Mr. Hall is the new BLM guy we deal with at NABX and he may also send a favorable report we could use.Roger Chunney that runs Wildwood has had problems that we might learn from but I have no contacts for him. It have also started looking into a legal fund (Richards idea) to help defray Mikes costs or future battles. We also have a safety guide line on our site in the documents area that shows our intent to be safe and how to do it. We need everyone on this project as Gomberg said, they look to us as the experts in the buggy field. So volunteer to call these folks I mentioned our pitch in with your two cents. I picked each one of you for your passion in our sport, and your sport is on the line here. If you don't think this is a fight for our very right to buggy and it won't affect you, your wrong. This will have a trickle down effect. Jon From: Lack-O-Slack Sent: 6/23/2005 7:45 PM Greetings, Jon and TKC members! Thanks for your efforts, Jon, I truly appreciate, esp. after having our phone conversation this evening, all the "pot-stirring" that you're doing on my behalf. The first sentence in your post kind of said it all, though... there is no money for a lawyer. And now that Gomberg's sent out an email seeking a possible volunteer attorney from the membership, I guess I'll just have to wait and see. As I said in our conversation, John, I'm a little dumbfounded that AKA has not thought to provide a legal fund in all the years of its existence. Perhaps if AKA had an attorney on permanent retainer all these years, many of the negative insurance issues would never have happened, and we'd still have coverage... but perhaps not. The workings of the legal system and the insurance industry are beyond me, to be sure. And of course, I keep reacting like the typical idealist and believing that somehow, fairness and reason will prevail. I fear, however, that I'm wrong on that point.

I will put my RM+ kites up against anything out there. They are very very nice kites. The best I was able to get this year was 68.8mph with a RM+ 5 @ Ivanpah. Still searching for the speed I would like to at least get to 80 mph in the near future. We will see. Big John JoJo1