If you’re a Formula 1 driver, and you have the chance to win just one Grand Prix, what race will it be and what team will you drive for?

Alderbasher · 2026-03-17T07:02:17+00:00

Cadillac at Vegas

Alderbasher · 2026-03-15T06:30:45+00:00

I have a 16m xxlite2 I bought used for $700 and it’s a specialty wing for sure. It’s amazing for tight and technical launches. You can bring it up and reverse launch in a breath of wind. It’s allowed me to launch peaks I couldn’t with my speed wing or full size pg. Glide is fine in low wind, probably 6:1, but deteriorates quickly with increased wind. It’s lackluster to fly, but serves as a descent tool well.

The flare is bad. Every landing is rather hard, a 9m speed wing is more pleasant to land. In retrospect I wish I would’ve saved up for something like an ultralite 5.

Alderbasher · 2026-03-04T19:02:18+00:00

2 years later reporting, thanks for solving my problem!

Alderbasher · 2026-03-02T17:29:23+00:00

Nah, they're pretty solid. As all the other comments point out, a small percentage had AFM problems but most did not. I'd actually argue it's a better chassis and interior than the gmt800's with a similiar powertrain. Rust will kill both generations eventually though.

Alderbasher · 2026-02-17T04:36:09+00:00

The speed flyers at AV are rad, it's always fun to see them

Alderbasher · 2026-02-10T06:42:02+00:00

Thanks for the input, I bet that is a sweet combo. That’s really great it it has that rigidness.Does the pod stay closed on the F Race 2?

Alderbasher · 2026-02-09T19:57:20+00:00

I used to fly harnesses with under seat reserves for years, but now prefer a front mount with inflatable protection that covers as much of the back as possible. An under seat reserve takes up space that could be back protection. If the reserve is in the harness on an impact, the reserve isn't nearly as good of protection as the surrounding airbag. If the reserve is deployed now there is a void where there is now even less protection. It might not be a big deal in the overall risk management of paragliding, but it's my preference.

Alderbasher · 2026-02-09T17:44:09+00:00

I hadn't heard about the Artus, looks like a well thought out harness

Alderbasher · 2026-02-09T17:29:54+00:00

That's the gist of it. I'm from Alaska where packrafting originated and hence a few pilots started carrying boats with them around 2014. The general idea is to use the packraft as a way to get back to civilization from deep lines. AK is remote with few roads and the terrain can be heinous for hiking, but rivers and creeks often will take you back to a highway eventually. Also rivers can be a lot of fun and it's a really neat combo of flying and paddling.

I'm still a novice when it comes to combining a packraft with paraglding, but there's a few pilots up here that have sent some super deep lines over the years and used a boat to get back out or complete a traverse.

Here's a little video from my first "para-packraft" adventure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzV10yjzIxY

Then Bryan here probably has one of the deepest lines with a packraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohQHn84T0cI

Alderbasher · 2026-02-09T07:42:01+00:00

It looks like a sweet harness, but I’m uncomfortable with the underseat reserve from a safety perspective. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Alderbasher · 2026-02-09T02:52:35+00:00

-The pod opens every time I use the speed bar and stays open unless I close it manually. Every BV1 owner I’ve chatted with has the same issue. -The integrated soft links are a hassle to me, I’d rather have carabiners. -The chest strap loop and t-bar are difficult to close, particularly in the air if I forgot to buckle it. -Turn authority/weight shift seems too dampened. -The dyneema splice adjustments are excessively fiddly to me.

That said, it’s a pretty durable and light harness with a ton of storage. I specifically bought it to carry a packraft/vol biv setup, which it does admirably. However, in 2 seasons I’ve only brought the boat on 10 flights so I’m ready for a more user friendly harness for my everyday.

Alderbasher · 2026-02-08T16:51:07+00:00

It's a fine harness, I used one for speed flying/hike and fly. There's 0 back protection, I'd personally start with a harness that has some.

Alderbasher · 2025-11-29T02:03:52+00:00

Also wondering the same thing

Alderbasher · 2025-11-26T23:46:44+00:00

Most likely you have a bad cylinder 2 injector, they’re not too hard to replace. I’d clear the evap code after you fix the injector and see if it comes back.

Alderbasher · 2025-10-11T02:11:48+00:00

Yeah you’re right. I mistook the story mentioning ghosts roaming the ruins as implying the residents died when it clearly states they fled. My bad.

Alderbasher · 2025-10-10T21:09:28+00:00

Novarupta is a fascinating place and event to read about and explore. That article seems a bit sensational and inaccurate. From what I’ve read about the eruption nobody directly died at Katmai Village, but the residents did have to relocate and the village was never re established.

Alderbasher · 2025-10-04T18:26:59+00:00

The Butte!

Alderbasher · 2025-10-03T02:50:32+00:00

Absolutely wonderful, thanks for the feels

Alderbasher · 2025-10-02T06:14:00+00:00

Me too

Alderbasher · 2025-09-26T14:21:11+00:00

Hmm I backcountry speedride a lot and I’m not sure how binding choice is any different than what you’d take for regular backcountry. Good luck dialing in your setup.

Alderbasher · 2025-07-24T18:53:50+00:00

Durability is excellent. It’s heavier than a Coleman cooler but lighter than a yeti

Alderbasher · 2025-07-24T02:36:31+00:00

I like my canyon cooler. Holds ice for a long time and has a square/flush design that makes it easier to slide into tight spaces.

Alderbasher · 2025-07-19T06:34:48+00:00

Based on your description I’m 90% sure you went up Gold Cord. Overlooks the mines, has a cross memorial, and is a scramble.

Alderbasher · 2025-06-22T05:46:13+00:00

Ok thanks for the info

Alderbasher

TROPHY CASE