So having just spent the better part of 24 hours on planes yesterday I was feeling the need to do a little piloting of my own. So after going into work this morning…yes I went even after getting in late from China…I went out to Glassy for what I hoped would be a bit of soaring. I had checked the weather 48 hrs earlier in Hong Kong and this morning it still looked good. I fired off some emails to entice anyone with the day off to join me. Lucky for me my buddy Tim said he would meet me up top to help make sure I got off safely. Also turned out that Frances got off work early and she came along as well.
When we got up to the top it was blowing pretty straight in during the thermal cycles. I took a few moments to watch the cycles and see how long they lasted and how strong they were. It all looked good so I set up and got ready to launch around 3pm. I picked a nice cycle…”CLEAR”…and 3 seconds later I am free. Flew for about an hour and gained 2000′ over the top of the mtn.
OK so everyone wants pics…here are some of the better ones today.
So I just got to China and I’m stoked that I can update my blog from here. Facebook and Twitter are blocked over here. The flight over and back is always the least enjoyable part of the journey with it being 15+ hours on a plane. However this trip I actually got some good sleep and didn’t feel like a total zombie. The driver who was waiting for us looked more wiped out than us. Our plane was delayed 4 hours so he had a lot of time on his hands waiting for us to land. Once outside we waited for him to go get the car and this little beauty was sitting outside for me to drool all over!
You see a lot of nice cars in Hong Kong!
The hotel I’m in is super nice and I have stayed here once before. Last time they had the place all done up Disney ripoff style and they called it “Groovy Wonderland”. It was pretty funny. They had the staff dressed up in all kinds of knock off Disney characters. In the morning Snow White would seat you at your table and in the evening, Jasmine from Aladdin would serve drinks in the cocktail lounge upstairs. We had quite a few laughs about it last time we were here. This time…no theme. The name of the Hotel is The Goodview. Check it out here. I can’t wait to go get in the pool tomorrow after we do some work first. Here’s hoping I get some sleep tonight. I’m 13 hours ahead of my body clock!
So this past weekend Frances and I went to Austin for her birthday to see her friends and family. It was the big 30 for her and we had a great time. As always when visiting Austin the pace was non stop!
We arrived Thursday night and immediately went to Olive Garden with her parents and sister. She loves that place and I must admit that I enjoy it too. Saturday was spent seeing friends and taking care of some Texas specific business. That evening we had a party at her sisters house for Frances, her dad, brother-in-law, and myself…we all have October birthdays. Now to say that Jackie (Frances’ sis) went all out planning this little soiree is an understatement. We had homemade hats specific to each of us (there were 8 of us there), M&M’s with print on them for the birthday boys and girl, a mix of all our favorite music playing, and our favorite dishes for dinner plus favorite cakes. We had to send all this info to Jackie and she worked her magic. Thanks Jackie!! It was a lot of fun.
Check out the red hang glider on my hat!
Saturday we went to go see the Michael Jackson movie “This Is It” in IMAX. I loved it. I have always liked MJ’s music and this was going to be an awesome tour. Go see it and on IMAX if you can. Halloween night we went to 6th street in Austin.
Reminds me of Mardi Gras!
Michael Phelps and Morning Wood
Handmade 'Max'. Best one all night. She was totally into it!
The rest of the night was spent watching LC Rocks. Frances’ favorite 80’s cover band. We closed the place down and then went to breakfast with a bunch of the band and crew. They are a lot of fun and they sure miss Frances since I ’stole’ her away. We finally crawled into bed around 6:30 am. Haven’t done that in a looong time. If you get the chance to go to 6th street in Austin for Halloween, don’t miss it. It was crazy fun.
Well it’s my Birthday too! OK…Actually last Saturday the 10th was. Its was a great weekend in Greenville. The weather was nice most of the weekend and we also had our annual Fall for Greenville event. It is a lot of fun with good music and food all weekend. My friends OJ and Kat came down Friday night from Asheville for the night before taking off to Florida the next morning. My buddy Nick who I fly with also came up from Clemson. We caught the tail end of Shooter Jennings and then watched JJ Grey & Mofro. It was smack your ass fun.
Shooter
JJ Grey & Mofro
The next day (birthday day) Frances and I went downtown to walk around and eat. It was actually my first trolley ride into downtown G-ville. The free Trolley into and around downtown is a really nice perk when you live close to the city center. So, I was feeling a bit hazy from the night before but a few tasty beverages fixed that right up. We met up with Richard who had his Aunt and some friends in town and showed them around a bit.
Here’s a pic of me a Richard being ourselves and pulling the statue’s finger. I’m trying to make the “Oh my god what is that smell face” but the little girl passing me was making me laugh at myself.
Well…I said I would write and I didn’t. I have no delusions that you all have been waiting around for an update…or maybe you have!
Well then…Let’s get right to the meat of it. Team Challenge was a blast. Awesome people, fun format, and all around good time. The TC is a “learning” competition for H3 Intermediate pilots who are new to cross country flying. A number of top pilots were in attendance to help all of us fledglings who flounder below them. Seminars were held daily on subjects ranging from weather, flight computer use, XC landing skills, soaring, and lots more. It almost felt like Hang Gliding school for a week. Yes I loved it…
I will have more to put up soon but here is a short video of me crossing over the powerlines south of Hensons Gap. I get a bit of PIO but not bad. It was bumpy crossing the lines and I should have slowed down and worked the lift that was kicking me around. I guess I was just in GO mode. Check out the pack of 4 gliders that passes under me.
Yup I’ve got everything packed up…In the car already. We’re leaving tomorrow morning and the dogs are already not happy. I am really excited about this trip as it is my first competition. Granted it is geared more towards teaching competition techniques and has a different format than other competitions, it is still a competition. I’m looking forward to a great week of flying, learning, and meeting new friends. Honestly, I’m a bit nervous too. I want to do well, by my own standards. I want to make the goal set for the day but I also realize that learning requires making mistakes. I love that about this sport. You can look back on a day when you bombed out while everybody else was at cloudbase and almost always pinpoint the decision that decked you. I just hope I learn fast!!
The weather is looking pretty good for the week at this point and I can’t wait to get in the air!!
My flying gear below.
What’s that lying on my harness??? Is it…oh yes it is!! Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic tickets for the day after the comp!! I can’t think a much better way to wrap the week up. I think I’m gonna have HAPPY FEET!
Hello World. Matt Barker here and thanks for visiting from where ever you are!
So I’ve been wanting to get a blog going for some time now and thanks to my friend Jeff, I finally have it live. SO…what is this all about? Well everything I guess but mostly Hang Gliding. Along the way I will undoubtedly get to talking about something other than flying but I love to fly and now I really get to share it with you! So here’s to my first post and thanks for checking out my site!
This past August I picked up my brand spankin’ new WillsWing U2 160 hang glider from Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Previously I was flying a 10M Pulse. For those of you who don’t know…there is a BIG difference in the performance of a Pulse and a U2. The U2 is faster, glides further, and gets a better sink rate. Basically, lots more fun!!
Here is a clip of my second launch. It was blowing in around 12-17mph and I gained 1000′ right off of launch. “Elevator to the top floor please!”
Big Ups!!
Below is a pic right after my first landing. I am in love with this new wing!
If your grinnin' your winnin'
So thanks for checking out the new site. Stay tuned cuz there is gonna be lots more. In fact this coming weekend is the beginning of the Tennesse Tree ToppersTeam Challenge. It is a hang gliding comp designed around the idea of teaching intermediate pilots XC (cross country) and competition skills. I am stoked to go and learn and fly and learn and fly!! Next year I am planning on attending some of the bigger comps around the country.
Can’t wait.
About me…
I have been flying hang gliders since 2000. Its all I think about pretty much. When my head is not in the clouds I design Mountainboards for Ground Industries, a company I helped start in 2003.
