[Bill Cummings]

Hawks,
Our local club RGSA (Rio Grande Soaring Association, rgsa(dot)info, has started flying at a new site that involves a 7 minute carry up hill to any of three launches.
Years ago I wrote this place off as too tough to access but now a gate has magically appeared in the cattle fence but no motor vehicles are allowed past the wire gate. (BLM sign)
One of our club members has made a portage cart for two hang gliders and harness bags. He is using wheel barrow wheels which may be fine for this site but elsewhere in rougher, lumpy, terrain the small wheels may make a difficult job out of transporting a glider.
I checked a bike shop and can buy new parts, 26” front bicycle rims (2), thick tubes, two tires, for $125.00
I was thinking of not buying forks but weld metric fine thread nuts in each end of a two foot length of small pipe to connect the two wheels then weld a short tongue to the axle pipe. Next pad the axle and tongue and WALLA! A portage cart.
The 26” bicycle wheels should make an easier job of hauling a glider than wheel barrow size wheels.

I once used a bike and just walked along side and pushed the bike with glider on it to the launch. I no longer own a bike.

Any pilots have any experience with carts for hang gliders or different ideas?
The Fed’s, BLM, don’t make any exception for senior citizens using the land even if they have a disability. ---So it looks like a cart or stay home.
Anyone have some pictures of carts?

[Merlin]

Hard to believe you would need to buy new bike parts, we've got old bikes laying on the side of road around here.

There's a book called "Bike, Scooter, and Chopper Projects for the Evil Genius", which might give you some welding ideas.

The project reminds me of Stuart Seoule, who I believe took a European trip (on foot) pulling the glider around with a dolly in the back. Should be do-able.

[Red]

Bill,

I have no experience with glider carts, but I know HG pilots have used canoe and kayak "portage"carts, for this purpose. They are typically lightweight aluminum, built for rough ground, and fold up into very small packages, when not in use. Install the cart under the glider near the balance point, add all the gear, grab the light end, and go. To me, welded means heavy!

Northern Tool has lots of wheels of all sizes, which typically use a bolt as a stub axle.
Here is 10", lightweight plastic, US$10.00
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... 8846_18846

Here is 16", lightweight plastic, US$20.00
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200199574