LAKAWA

Those vintage Ranger's are not all that good and there is a reason they are inexpensive. If I recall they were on sale new for $400 two years ago or so. I personally wouldn't buy a Ranger, even if it was free. If you can find an odd meter Frenzy (9 or 11) that will suit you better, the 11m is a nice...

I had an '06 Frenzy that behaved similarly, it still had a lot of power when only holding the handbrake.I think that is just how the kite worked to be honest, I don't think there is anything that can be done to the lines or bar that will make much of a difference. The best way I found to park the ki...

Still looking good for Sunday - Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph, wind is best on the east side of the bay. Unless there isn't any wind when I wake up tomorrow I will be there. I'll try and get out on the landing east of Ashland, if there isn't an ice road there I'l...

The ferry is still running to Madeline Island, so no ice road for a while. It wouldn't be that exciting of a ride anyway, head to Washburn and do a run to Ashland and back (7 miles or so each way). Or head out to the lighthouse if the wind is going the wrong direction. Kiting around the islands woul...

Still looking for a snow report up in the bay.

The wind forecasts for the most part are inaccurate but for Sunday - West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Anyone have a first hand report for c-bay? Wondering if they got any more snow since the rain event. Forecast called for a few inches this week and it looks to be accurate from the live bay cam. Heading north if there is wind this weekend. Either c-bay or Lake Gogebic. It looks like Gogebic has at l...

I moved from my old twin to a Lib Tech T. Rice this year. The rocker isn't all that noticeable behind a kite. The magne-traction is very noticeable. It really holds an edge on the lakes and I wouldn't purchase a new board for kiting that didn't have the wavy edges. Its different in that you edge wit...

Thanks for the tips. Where can I find some colored LED lights to clip onto the kite? It would be cool to have a couple of different colors for sure. I have one red blinking light I could use for now if I can get it to stay on. I'm going to go ahead and drill a hole in my helmet to mount the bike lig...

The lakes I ride are pretty much rural and I want to do some night riding. Should I drill a hole in my helmet to mount a bike light or not? I use to mtn bike a lot at night and have a L&M just sitting in a box wanting to be used. Kind of concerned with the reflection off of blowing snow, dust wa...

I've never flown a Ranger. In 2008 backcountry.com was blowing them out for $400. There should be a few around for little dough.

Not sure what your friends price range is but there is a lightly used '06 12m Frenzy at Midwest right now.

I was at Reddy and wore a 3/2 and booties - plenty warm. There was a guy (Tim I think) wearing only board shorts, his hand and feet were blue but he seemed pretty happy to be out for a short time.

Been out with a 4/3, booties and gloves on the warmer air temp days. The water is warm enough now I wouldn't hesitate to go out in the not so warm air days too.

I would place my bet on 4/25 this year.


According to the DNR the 51 year average is 4/21.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html#

Going to head up to Isle Sunday if it gets warm enough to soften the snow a bit, I'm thinking sun and 35 degrees should do the trick. The wind forecast looks pretty good.

http://www.mnlakecams.com/

That one is really good for the existing snow depth, thanks. I haven't found one that is good with storm totals, not that it really matters any more this year for me. It would be nice to find an accurate map for the fresh snow.

Pretty cool but what happens to the kites when the wind stops blowing?

Anyone have a good site for the snow totals from the last storm? I've picked up some info from the noaa.gov site but there has to be better sites out there. They always seem to use the 'good' maps on the forecast but not after the event. It would be nice to get in one more day on the snow. Otherwise...

Have about 4" in my driveway this morning. Lot better than the 1" forecast.

I'll be out on the main part of Balsam Lake as soon as the wind picks up. Checked it last night and there was only patches of snow in between the glare ice.

Looks like north of Duluth along the shore received some snow today and its still snowing. At least according to NOAA. Any first hand reports of how far south the snow line went.

We are heading to Ashland tomorrow for Book Across the Bay. Bringing the kites hoping they got an inch or 2.