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Hello, my name is Clint, I'm a Gemini and I'm better known as VurbArtGuy. Most of my time is spent bringing you the artistic vision that is Vurb, but when I found out we were to be hosting an Unofficial Vurb Ride Day in my own backyard I grabbed my Nikon and headed south. What do I mean by "unofficial?" Allow me to explain. Wes Williams (video guy) took a week trip here to Texas to...well, pretty much screw off for a few days. However, as is usually the case no trip - be it personal or other - ever goes by without at least a little bit of "work" involved. Upon landing last Wednesday, he phoned up Suzuki City's new addition, Matt Lemoine and a few others to see if they wanted to put a film session together. Not 48 hours later did I receive a call from a local friend about our ride day. We're still not sure how word got out, but we're sure glad it did. A little over 100 riders turned out to I-35 MX on Saturday for one of the coolest, most laid back days at the track that I've spent in a while. The track was prime, we had a helicopter to help with the shoot (thanks, Chris from Longhorn) and some of the fastest riders in the North Texas area showed up to throw down.

Anyways, this is my little photo journal of the "Unofficial Vurb Ride Day" held down south. Enjoy.

So, Wes told me that he and the chopper were going to be arriving at I-35 MX no later than 9:00am. I live 30 minutes south of the location so I figured I would leave around this time.

Ahhh, coffee! A life saver. A modern day fuel for humans. Can't start the day off without one of these bad boys. My mouth is actually open ready to take another sweet sip looking at this photo.

Ok, let me explain this one. When you get married, have children, the whole 9 yards, your cell phone is your life line when you are away from the house. Well, I get about 5 minutes down the highway and reach in my pocket and realize I forgot it. Like I said, "Life-Line." Boy you better turn around and go get that sucker no matter how far away you are, or you can expect to hear it later.

So while rushing back home I spilt that "human fuel" all over my pants.  It burn...bad!

So, here we are just now leaving the house again with cell phone in hand this time. Notice the time here. Remember earlier when I told you what Wes said about "arriving at the track at 9:00am at the latest?" Ya time to go.

I like to call this one "Fuzz Proof." Especially in times like this, you have to have some sort of defense against all those bear traps out there. What's a "bear trap?" Google trucker-isms.

Why is this person in the left hand lane? I got places to be, man.

Ok I might piss some people off on this one. I'm a Texan, born and raised. Like most Texas natives, we're born wearing burnt orange throwin' the hook em' horns sign. The picture above is me crossing over the Red River, which separate's Texas from Oklahoma. When I pass over into Oklahoma it's like superman swallowing a bowling ball of kryptonite. I start sweating, breathing hard, and coughing. Texan's just aren't immune to being inside OU territory.

Luckily, I only have to go 5 exits until I reach my destination. Maybe thats why I did so bad at Ponca City back in the day? Ya, I will stick to that one.

"Whoa! Hold on a minute. Where are we again?" I know that's what your saying to yourself. Well no worries we are still in Oklahoma. That's actually Winstar Casino, which is a giant tent with this crazy wall of castle like architecture in front of it. I guess they want you to feel like your wondering the streets of Paris.

Here we are at the exit and I'm glad because I feel like I have the swine flu.

All the bare essentials at this place. I actually like going into gas stations in the middle of nowhere to see what kind of character awaits me inside. Now really, I-35MX isn't in the middle of nowhere, it's actually right off the highway (hint the name). Just 1.5 miles to go and the track is on the right. Now we're talking!

"Am I going the right way?", is what I asked myself when I took a right into this driveway. The driveway looped around to the left and then I was faced with what you see above in the photo. I rolled down my window and couldn't hear anyone riding so I thought I turned into the wrong place, and this is why...

...when I turned in, this house was to my right leading me into that long wooded dirt road. Now I'm from Texas, we are used to these sort of situations. I also know how some situations turn into bad ones when trespassing on peoples property. My best bet was to turn around and get back to the main road and make sure I wasn't about to get blasted with some rat shot out of some dude's rusty old .22 rifle.

I drove a little ways down the road and realized I was actually in the right spot. So I turned back into that driveway and headed down that wooded trail which led me right to the track. Finally, after a rough start to my morning I was there.

My first impression of the track was a good one. These guys have the dirt almost all track promoters want. It's a deep sandy loam that allows you to float into the corners fast and blow roost about 15ft in the air. Just an all around awesome track to get some good training on.

Met up with Wes and gave him some dap, then grabbed the camera out of my car and began pushing the button.

This is Cody. Cody likes to stare into the sun with bifocals on. He also helps with track prep and does a good job at it. You will be seeing more of this guy in the future with Vurb. He will be bringing the viewers a nice little blog section documenting his travels around Texas.

Cody's form here is kinda ugly, but I dig the old truck in the background so I ran with the photo.

Cody in the left hander before the step up in the middle.

Lowell Spangler was on hand ripping up a little earth.

Spangler setting up for the uphill whoop section.

Spangler coming down the upper part of the track into a left hander.

Jason Anderson made an appearance too, but had bike problems and wasn't able to ride more than 10 minutes. Anderson has made the move to Texas from California. A lot of you youngins' are probably wondering why you would move from a place like that to a place where the weather changes faster than Paris Hilton's boyfriend. His answer was he wanted a slower pace and loves the tracks.

Anderson hitting the step up in the middle of the track, which leads into a step down triple.

The infamous Volcom helmet.

Another sick helmet. This time it's being worn by Matt Lemoine. Matt also recently moved back to Texas, and we are glad to have him back.

Lemoine seen here dialing in his new Suzuki. This was his 2nd time riding it and he seems to be adapting to it very well.

By the way Matt, I like your truck.  When I asked him how much it cost, he smiled and said "I got money like Reggie Bush cuz my billfolds got a lot of yards"....actually he didn't say that, I made it up. I bet B Mayzee and I could do a track together someday.

This is Ryan Eppers.

This is what Ryan did to my lens...

...in this corner. But thats not Ryan in this photo, its actullay Justin Hasty. This was taken right before Eppers came trough and blew chunks all over my lens.

Colton Parks demonstrates the 15ft. roost I was talking about earlier.

One of the whoop sections.

Several locals were on hand to check out the Vurb Ride Day.

Then it was time for the chopper. Chris Creamer is one hell of a pilot. This dude is definatley not afraid to get in there and get dirty. By dirty I mean as close as he can to the action. He was also the pilot in our new film Epic!

Anyone that is interested in flying I would suggest you check out this guy. He knows his stuff for sure.

 

And there you have it folks, this photo journal is coming to a close. It was a great day with great people and an amazing track. If you haven't heard or been to I-35MX check them out here.

And look for this guy to be there working hard to make sure everything is in awesome condition. This is Spanky, he is the man behind I-35MX and he, along with a great staff, made our "Unofficial Ride Day" official!

For more photos from the ride day check out the gallery.