Berkeley racetrack location?

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keithdkd
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Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by keithdkd » Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:02 pm

Thinking of heading out to Berkeley today. Anyone else going? Where exactly is the racetrack launch? I can see on the map where the "racetrack" is, but when I was out there before, I didn't see any kiters and couldn't figure out where to park etc. The locations forum has writeups for Point Emery and Point Isabel, but I don't see one for the racetrack.

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Re: Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by WindMuch » Sat Aug 27, 2011 3:16 pm

Take the Gillman exit off Hwy 80. Head towards the water (!!!) and follow it as it curves around to the right (North). You'll go uphill towards Golden Gate Fields (horse racing). Keep going through the parking lot and stay to the left-ish (towards the water. You'll eventually go back downhill into a huge parking lot with a very little beach. If it's before 4pm and they're racing that day you'll have to pay $4 to park. Sometimes you can sweet talk your way past the lot attendant if you tell 'em you're going to the beach. Here's the calendar for racing:
http://www.goldengatefields.com/events/calendar

Lots of dog walkers and people on the beach. Introduce yourself to other kiters there and someone will give you the launch/landing details. Be careful on the first few tacks not to stall your kite over the beach and land/crash on someone (i.e. the public).

Pump up in the sand/ice plant, not too far from the platform/bench (juice from the ice plant juice stains kites). We try to get in our wetsuits first, before running our lines. That way there are less obstacles and/or things for other cars to run over in the parking lot. If nobody is around, take clips/lines/etc. to self-launch/land.

I'm sure others will chime in with other thoughts...

Kirk out

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Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by robert-g » Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:56 pm

Dang Kirk, why don't you pump and rig his kite too!

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Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by keithdkd » Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:14 pm

Thanks Kirk! Your writeup could go in the locations archive. There should be a racetrack guide there, but there isn't.

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Post by amir » Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:29 pm

What racetrack? ;)

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Re: Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by rvv » Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:39 am

get at it when it's showing 20+ on a SW! rig fast and fight the EB Shallow water wind bubble.....or get razzied :)
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Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by nbon » Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:40 am

If you don't mind walking with your gear you can park with the doggy peeps at the end of buchanon St. to the North and avoid the 4 buck charge. Depending on where you park on that side it's like 150 yards. There have been break ins in the doggy lot though and you won't have your bumper to self launch from.

During the week the Golden Gate parking dude told me he goes home at 3:30.

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Re: Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by nick_80044 » Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:21 pm

I've been there a bunch of times this season and haven't paid yet. I just tell them I'm going to the beach and I get a free pass every time.

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Re: Berkeley racetrack location?

Post by CdoG » Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:02 pm

That bubble lives between Royce ears
cause when he's not there
its not there....

Sunday is one dollar day
Monday is wide open
After 3:30 it's open..

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