04.23.01
Freeride Moto-X

Related Photos: Birthday Photos from Indy

Ginger, of Freeride Moto-X, joins us as a columnist. Look for her to dish out some more dirt each week on EXPN.com.

The first round in the Vans Triple Crown exploded in Indy this past weekend with a great show, excellent riding and non-stop partying. It was once again the weekend of the cowboy; Bartram captured the win both nights. Each and every rider you could tell was stepping it up. Nate Adams' Rock Solid is enough to scare the hell out of you while Clifford Adoptante's Sidewinder has you peeking through your fingers. Saturday nights whip contest named Jeff "Full Tilt" Tilton the winner and Jeff being the good sport shared some of his winnings with equally good whipper, Derek Burlew.

Mad Mike and Alex...pre-birthday caking.

The folks at Clear Channel threw a birthday bash for the oldest and youngest rider, Mike Jones and Nate Adams Thursday night. Nate Dogg turned the big 18 while Jonesy I believe is 80…I mean 35. To get straight to the point, there was a food fight and Jones, Nate and a few others ended up covered in cake. After dessert we headed up to the bowling alley where the competition heated up…especially between Alex from freestylemx.com and Miss FMX, Erin Bates. The winner, Miss FMX…I heard she bowled a 192. Do I smell a cheater?

Nate Adams, 18-years-old and having to pay for it.

I think everyone was so tuckered out Friday, it stayed pretty mellow. Saturday night after the event wrap up was a whole different story though. It never fails that the most fun you have out is when it's mainly just the crew in a bar near the hotel. Nothing fancy. Kibby (Jonesy's mechanic) and Drake put on Miss FMX's Alpinestar jacket and had everyone rolling. The tan leather clashed with DMC's darkness while Kibby took on a Dr. Evil persona. By the end of the night, after I ran my camera battery down to nothing (which is probably a good thing) it became full WWF and clothes were flying. I'm sure Tilt started the whole thing but after 5 minutes of material ripping sounds you looked around the bar and everyone was in muscle shirts with their sleeves worn as headbands. Poor Renner didn't know what hit him! It was a Footloose/Flashdance sort or feeling. Then Miss FMX, Erin Bates sacked up and ripped my already torn tank top completely down the middle, exposing…well…me. Oh well, I'm a trooper…I wrestled with her for a few while every guy stood and watched then tied up the shirt and ran it. Ketchup started flying, coronas were spraying and the boys started in with the naked tricks. I won't say much more about that…except why do all guys attempt to do the flying squirrel? Must be a testosterone thing.

Drake giving up some Hesh love.

Well kids, I am off to Cleveland for the ESPN Moto-X Championships, April 5 & 6 at the CSU Convocation Center….the event that will settle who will be at X Games. Pre-qualified via their current Gold Medals, in their respective disciplines, are Kenny Bartram (Big Air), Brian Deegan (Big Air), Tommy Clowers (Step UP) and Travis Pastrana (Freestyle), and everyone else will be looking to lock positions or make themselves known for Wild Card votes from the independent committee that decides such things. Adding an international flavor to the typical Moto-X world class field are at least two Aussies and one guy from Germany coming over just for this ESPN qualifying event. A lot is riding on this one. All the guys including Deegan, Clifford, Jones, Clowers and Metzger will face off against the likes of Miller, McElroy, Adams and Renner. More mayhem to come.

Log on next week to find out the fresh dirt on your favorite riders. Until then, ride it hard like a champ. Peace Out, ~Ginger

PS. Thanks to the IFMA folks…great show! Shout outs to Jesse Olson and Sarah, Drake aka Little Nicky, Full Tilt and the Tomcat, Kibby, Jonesy, and of course the photo queen herself, Alex Thompson…Hellooooo Moto!

Related Photos:
Birthday Photos from Indy

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