Drewculous - 31-7-2009 at 11:49 AM
So i think itd be really cool to go to this, just for the simple fact i could meet some other kiters (none in Nebraska really). I've thumbed through
the NABX home pages, and im still lost, lol
What do i need to know about it? How soon do i need to sign up? Can i even go if im not racing or competing in anything? Are there set schedules,
or is it just a bunch of kite nuts that meet up in the desert?
Any info would be cool... I just wana try to make it if its an option to me
acampbell - 31-7-2009 at 12:27 PM
On-line registration will be up likely in the 3rd quarter.
Any and all come with their buggy. Sometimes there are races, but most of it is unstructured. Just ride, share and learn. The riding space is
about a 3 x 4 mile triangle. You can loose Buggytown over the horizon, but the surrounding mountains are your compass.
Best part (thanks AJ): When the sun sets over the mountains, chase the shadow across the dry lake back to Buggytown. Magical.
Hotel is cheap, like $30 on weeknights and may $70-80 weekends if there is another event. Next year my wife and I will likely rent an RV for staying
on the lake.
Easy to get to, 45 min south of 'Vegas, which is easy and affordable to get to if you book early. Unless you ship ahead, choose you airline based on
baggage allowance. I think Southwest is good.
Bring knee and elbow/ arm guards as well as helmet. The desert floor is like 60 grit sandpaper.
See you there.
awindofchange - 31-7-2009 at 02:30 PM
Angus pretty much sums it up for you.
NABX is an awesome fun event. It is structured around riding and participation, not performances, productions or demonstrations. If you plan on
coming out to watch then you will probably not enjoy the event. If you are coming out to buggy on one of the most unique (and fastest) surfaces on
the planet then bring it on - it will change the way you look at kite buggying forever.
Everyone and anyone is welcome to come out - from pilots who have just barely discovered this awesome sport to seasoned veteran riders who have
buggied for years. If your new to the sport, you can learn tons from many experienced riders who are willing to teach. If your a veteran rider you
will have the opportunity to help others and meet up with fellow buggiers and your buggy family from all over the world.
heliboy50 - 31-7-2009 at 03:32 PM
I didn't even ride while I was there and I still had a blast. DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!! You will love it, and go home spoiled.
Drewculous - 31-7-2009 at 03:36 PM
good info!
Next, i only have an atb... not enough room around here to buggy, and im perpetually broke.... is it possible to try bugs while there, or is it like
underwear (only my junk touches my shorts, lol)? Not trying to be a leech, but curiosity gets the best of me from time to time. Are atbs "accepted"
at a buggy gathering? And finally, and truthfully, i kinda suck, at the moment, at riding... how bad am i gonna get razzed if... lets say, i eat it in
front of everyone, lol
awindofchange - 31-7-2009 at 04:08 PM
Shouldn't be a problem getting you a buggy to ride. I usually have a demo Ivanpah buggy floating around....if you can get someone to give it up long
enough for you to try it out. lol
ATB's are also very welcome. Ground Industries was at this year's event and had some ramps and jumps set up for everyone to have a go at it so you
will fit right in perfectly.
As I said earlier, there are all skill levels at the event, nobody is going to razz ya at all about . Now if you eat it right in front of everyone -
that may get you some attention. lol - just be safe (helmet - pads) and know that you won't be the first one that has turfed it in front of everyone
else.
heliboy50 - 31-7-2009 at 05:55 PM
That's why I didn't end up riding this year. Lots of wind, no buggy experience, small kites with long lines, would've added up to some ouch. Next
year, however....
geokite - 31-7-2009 at 08:46 PM
ATB are great there. Some parts of the lake are smoother than others, but great overall. If you are just starting, just be sure to have access to
small enough kites. Can be quite windy...
And then there are the windless days. Bring a boomerang or frisbee.
Bladerunner - 1-8-2009 at 09:58 AM
My 1st NABX was 2 years ago.
As a kiteblader I wasn't sure if it would work so I brought my buggy and never used it.
I was completely thrilled to see all forms of wind riders joining as one. I got hands ( but didn't ride ) experience with dirtsurfers, kitewings,
blokarts and others. I had never seen so many different buggies and gear in one place. I HUGE education in itself. Everybody is an instand friend and
want to share there experience with their gear and style.
It is about the cheapest vacation I have each year. The airfare, hotel and food are all discounted. Reg is only $75. This gets you a ton of stuff + a
t-shirt to prove it! I think that just attending and not riding can still be a huge education. Hanging around on the Playa can get a bit much but
there is a huge tent to get out of the wind + sun.
The ATB rides well enough on the Playa but it is extemely unforgiving of mistakes. For that reason Jumping is not encouraged.
That and the unpredictable wind are the only things I can suggest are less than fantastic about the trip. This year is sure to be the best one
yet!:wee:
Perhaps I can thank Bob Childs but I FINALLY found acceptance in my sport at NABX 
Everyone that loves wind is welcome!
acampbell - 1-8-2009 at 01:07 PM
I should have mentioned it's not just buggies.
Well at least the ATB is easier to pack! This year I spent more on my baggage than me.
Hilbilly shorts for sure and all other manner of pads.
You learn more in a week there than six months or more at home.
Drewculous - 12-8-2009 at 08:04 PM
... more nabx woes...
my fiance doesnt like kiting... she worries about me... (however she basically bought me my phantom, lol...) but anyway, its gonna kill her if i bail
for vegas for a week without her. Im down for camping and 'roughing' it. But she said if she goes, shes not camping... are there wives /
girlfriends/ non-kiting women at nabx she could hang with?
action jackson - 13-8-2009 at 05:13 AM
Yes, there are plenty of women at the outlet mall. It is located less than 50 yrds from the entrance to the playa.......aj
acampbell - 13-8-2009 at 06:47 AM
So far our plan for NABX 2010 is for the wife to come along and we rent an RV to stay on the lake bed and do side-trips. I believe she thinks she is
going under cover to investigate this NABX scam. She does not have the shopping gene, (thank you Lord) so the outlet mall will not do anything for
her.
Remember, 'Vegas is only 40 min. up the highway.
A great side trip that AJ showed me is to the Colorado River. It's a little over an hour and over some beautiful mt. passes, desert floors, quaint
western towns and the Joshua Tree National Forest.
coreykite - 13-8-2009 at 11:12 AM
Hey Sailors,
Let's be honest, there are increasing numbers of women attending every year (YaY!)
While many ride, not all do and have found many other like-minded souls around buggy-town to hang with.
Rather than an RV rental, consider a room at one of the three hotel/casinos at the top end of the lake bed (about 3.5 miles up the lake from
buggy-town) and a rental car to do some exploring.
An RV can root you to one place for the duration.
The hotels are just fine and rather cheap - Ask on the forum.
Other than exploring the desert, the only transportation need is each morning, out to buggy-town for breakfast, and each evening back to clean sheets
and porcelain.
If your S.O. desires more entertainment, the fabulous Vegas Strip is just up the road as well.
Numerous shade structures and a very friendly, family-like atmosphere pervade Buggytown. If you can't find comfortable surroundings, it's because
you're not trying or don't want to be.
Bring her along.
She'll be reassured.
Probably impressed.
Perhaps even make a connection to our kite world.
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
the coreylama
Drewculous - 28-8-2009 at 10:42 AM
i've almost got her talked into it, lol... i may miss a day or two doing sightseeing... but if im at least there im gonna be stoked!
Ive heard the winds are pretty shibby there... my 2 kite quiver isnt getting me too far (too big i think), what should i aquire, kite-wise, between
now and NABX... ie 3m-ish kite? 1.5? idk, whats a median wind range down there?
USA_Eli_A - 28-8-2009 at 01:57 PM
it's pretty family friendly too! Lots of shade and wind protection, GREAT food on playa, ok food at hotels, good prices. Even if it's too windy
people get by with Nasa wings and other small kites.
The locals are super friendly and usually have plenty of room for us outatowners, all though, i'm not a local, I could be considered a regular.
it's fun no ALL THE TIME:wee:
macboy - 1-9-2009 at 10:58 PM
Put me down for a non-kiting wife coming along too. And I think RevPaul's wife and our kids. We just bought little Anna a posh new car seat with the
ultimate intent that she'll be spending a few hours in it as we make our way south.
Can't wait! I heard a rumor there was wifi down there somewhere somehow too which would help me stay in touch with work (it's going to be a working
getaway for me.....play by day, work by night...if need be ; )