Archive for the 'Goofing Off' Category
The first leg of the Nitro Circus Live tour has come to an end and I can easily say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. 11 sold out shows in 5 cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne. The roster was intense with the likes of Chad Kagy, Blake Bilko, Jake Brown, Cam Sinclair, Travis Pastrana just to name a few. In front of an average of 15,000 screaming fans a night, we put on a jam-packed action sports show along with off the wall and unpredictable Nitro style stunts.
Every night was spectacular with riders laying it on the line making X games look like a second rate event. Some of the standouts were Cam Sinclair sticking a double back every night, a new guy Clinton Moore sticking a body varial every night, Chad Kagy’s huge 75 foot transfer from the mega ramp to the FMX landing, Wheelz (a kid in a wheel chair) sticking a back flip on the mega ramp, Andy Buckworth sticking the double front on a BMX night after night…I could be here all day but take my word it was an intense show!
The crew was tough and everyone’s competitive nature pushed through concussions, broken bones, blown out shoulders and knees. Almost no one missed a single show.
As a skier and BASE jumper I was way out of my element hitting a mega ramp with BMX bikes, big wheels and roller skis. I was forced to step far outside my comfort zone to keep up. I love the adrenaline and “risk versus reward” type stuff. My skills improved immensely and I was having the time of my life figuring it out.
One of my favorite aspects was the comradery of all the athletes. I had to laugh when I would see pro skater Jake Brown, hanging with a roller bladder, a razor scooter guy and a pogo stick guy. Something you just wouldn’t think to happen.
We got to see some of the country packed in a 12-passenger van driven buy a guy named Gator. Probably the most fun road trip of my life with constant mayhem, random dance parties on the side of the road, and non-stop humor. We raced camels, V8 super cars, tow-in surfed with Tom Carrol, jet boated, skydived, and hung with locals in the cities and the outback.
The Live show is just getting under way so keep your eyes out and it will probably be headed to a city near you! Check out the highlights below…
The merchandise….
Jumping the Kymco…Pastrana no hands and blind folded, Dusty Wygle steering, Lyn-z Hawkins and myself hanging on the back.
A couple of the camels we raced. I was on the little guy and won my first heat and came in 3rd in the finals, beaten only by Tenacious J and the Camel whisperer.
One of the many road side dance parties we had on our road trips. I cannot explain how fun these were!
Pastrana, myslef and Chad Kagy checking out the Aussie coast. This place was called the 12 Apostles.
One of the VIP meet and greets. These 1600 people paid premium prices to come see our crew and answer some questions. It was crazy!
The next photos are me flipping stuff in front of huge stadium crowds. I would have never imagined this is where I would be at this point in my life.
Check out the end of tour highlights below!
Sorry I have not posted in awhile…I’ve been busy finishing winter projects before our 6 week adventure through Australia for the Nitro Live Tour.
My winter ended well filming with TGR around the Whistler area. Most of the skiing and filming we do there is from a snowmobile. Basically we drive our trucks as far as we can up certain fire roads, strap our skis on the snowmobile and head out onto the vast glaciers of BC. The terrain is endless and you can cover a ton of ground with the snowmobile. You can check out the footage in the new Teton Gravity Research film “Light the Wick” due out this Fall.
Me on my snowmobile…
This is an example of the terrain you can get to on a snowmobile. If you look at the tiny spec on top of the cornice…that’s me getting ready to drop in.
Sven Kueenle from Germany was one of my partners in crime while in the B.C. backcountry.
Tonight I leave for Australia with the rest of the Nitro Crew for our Live Tour. It is going to be one crazy show. I will put up an update after our first shows in Brisbane May 7th, 8th and 9th. WooHoo!!
The cast of Jackass just came to Tahoe to work on Jackass 3 the movie. Not only are they shooting another movie, this one will be in 3D. They asked me to come out and “play” while they were in my hometown. Needless to say I was pretty terrified about the abuse I might take. Fortunately, it ended up all fun…and little fear. Check out the Jackass 3 this fall to see the craziness!
At the wrap party and Knoxville’s B-day mustache party in Truckee.
The Dudesons, 4 Finnish friends somewhere between Jackass and Nitro Circus, were also in town. I had fun day in the snow with them as well shooting for their TV show. Good times!
These were my first attempts hitting a mega ramp on a bike….
Here’s teaser footage of the mega ramp that will come on tour with us this Spring…
A couple years back a friend of mine, Jeremy Jones, posted a blog of things he was thankful for. His blog was inspiring and I decided to post a few things I’m thankful for. In a time when many folks are struggling it’s important to recognize all the things we are lucky to have…
I’m thankful for my dog Chief. He passed away this summer but I was lucky to have him for 13 years…
I’m thankful for my family…
I’m thankful for my jumping friends…
I’m thankful for my Nitro Circus family….
I’m thankful for my mountain friends…
I’m thankful for Annika…
I’m thankful for the opportunities I have…
I’m thankful for my brother and my nephews…
I’m thankful for catching air!!!
I’m thankful for snow storms…
and powder…
I’m thankful for down time…
I’m thankful for the mountains…
I’m thankful for skiing…
I’m thankful for Shane McConkey…
I love living in Lake Tahoe. There is so much to do and the environment is one of a kind. The combination between the mountains and the lake offers so much. Summer is my favorite time here and I am just starting to set into my summer mode.
After a week of a relaxing vacation I picked up right where I left off. The day after I returned, I spent the morning skiing and hiking all over Squaw Valley Resort. After a mountain bike ride and a quick lunch I met up with some friends for my first boat trip of the season. The lake was as flat as it gets and the weather was warm…there is nothing more peaceful than being on the lake in those conditions.
The following day I met with some other friends for a couple days of skydiving and BASE jumping. I really love this place!
Skiing some of the last snow of the year.
Looking down some of the late season lines at Squaw…
Taking it all in on top of KT 22 after hiking and skiing from the peak on the far lookers right (way back there), all the way around the ridge to the left and up to the top of KT 22.
Hanging on the lake after a nice day…the “Best Place on Earth”.
Next day..after a morning of BASE jumping (no pictures: its illegal and too dark out)…into a day of skydiving!
Now what? Maybe a night time BASE jump off a different object…check!
