The Apex Blog

Dirty does it

It's well known that Vegas is hot in the summer. It's been 105-110 where I ride as of late and it shouldn't surprise anyone that riding for a couple hours in that heat should make for a serious swampy mess of a jacket. Let's say I intake 1-1.5 gallons of water in a two hour time frame and don't have the need for a bathroom break, it's gotta go somewhere........

Bring on the nasty

On a side note, Shin gags with the threat of body fluids.

Salt deposits that would make seawater jealous.

Despite what the back protector suggests I don't have scoliosis, just 2 years of custom ass kicking.

Thirsty anyone?

Posted by Nick Apex at 8/6/2011 1:18 PM

Behind the cardboard

I love defiant foreshadowing.

I've never owned a new vehicle, never. This also happened to be the same day I broke my frame on my main freestyle bike. Bad day fixed, thanks Triumph.

Not the 675s people had thought them to be.

Instead it's a mad set of Speed Triple 1050s. Swingarms off one and on it's way to Roaring Toyz. Bob is making a custom single sided billet masterpiece for Drift2. Time to swing the Trumpets!

Posted by Nick Apex at 6/21/2011 1:15 PM

The good, the bad, and the always ugly.

I have interesting luck, it's not really bad, it's not really good, it's just a series of catastrophic failures followed by successful events. I've learned to accept the fact that the Nashville leg of XDL will always be an exclamation point to what is my mixed bag of good luck bad luck.

I was riding all day and feeling back on point within reason after a series of suspension adjustments. Took a break to chug water only to hear Shin yell something in Japanese. It was probably something like, "we're leaving for Nashville tomorrow and you just broke your frame in half, you're screwed", or something like that.

Under closer inspection I broke both sides, later I was told by a video guy on site he has footage, about 15min worth, of full attack riding with the bike like this. Strangely it ended really well like this, good times.

Thankfully from the Triumph crates I had all these new ratchet straps. Took 4 of them to pinch the metal back into place. Fellow Empire teammate and welder/shop rat/ Fuel Forged 795 Kris Higdon prepped and welded her back together.

Then took it to Nashville, qualified first and took second. The geometry may be off, but who cares, fun stuff. destroy rebuild destroy....

Posted by Nick Apex at 6/20/2011 1:25 PM

T R I U M P H!

I've wanted what's behind the crates mask from the first time I tossed a leg over one in 2006. There's something to be said about a triple, hell there's many things, and almost all over them start with "better than....". Time to play hooligan through tire smoke and cheating death as a trumpeter, couldn't be happier.

Posted by Nick Apex at 6/6/2011 11:23 AM

BBW

Think the Gypsy life is the good life? Here's a look into what it takes to traverse the country for a show through the lens of Nick "Bad Ass Eagle" Hill.

Bleeding the bank dry one gas stop at a time.

In the hope of saving 2.45 we tested the trucks limit. Turns out zero miles to empty is another trick by the charlatans at Dodge. We made it another 8 miles, then ran out.

9 hours later we made it to Ernie's place for what was going to be another 33 hours in the Empire rig.

Didn't take long to hit the tornado level weather in Oklahoma, good times hydroplaning the rig as 70.

Went through a cycle of sunrise and sunsets.

Made it to the room and passed out. You sleep like the dead after being half alive for just shy of 40 hours during travel.

We didn't sleep long before Jpigg and Tony brought us to meet Wild Bill Allen and see some of the local entertainment.

So it begins

The next day we scope the layout and get ready for our first set of shows. Turns out we're by a children's center.

The crowd gathered early for the show every time. Packed fence lines makes for good times even if the riding area is two one lane roads separated by an island.

We rode and disco disco'd with the models.

After the first few sets of shows ended we went out to check out the bikes and locals. Lot of happy people ready to give it their all for the cameras.

Then more shows, back to the hotel, pass out, get up 6 hours later. Repeat.

As with everything in life, it got better after the sun went down.

The shows ended and we had a free night so we hooked up with the Hooligans, Limiter girls, and had a casual night at the hotel.

Shin was tired, really really tired.

We couldn't get a taxi so we plowed 10 people into a minvan, got lost, and we were stuck in the trunk for an hour. Thank you Vodka, I wouldn't have made it without you.

Ernie took command and it was up to the room.

The following day at 9am the adventure home was in action.

Shin travels like a man who lives part time in the US and takes his life with him each go.

Considering we slept about 2 hours the night before driving first shift = sleeping in the burger king line

Ernie, Ernie was no better off on his.

Evidence

The van started to die out in Nashville, Nashville while 28 hours from my house I'll be be driving back to next weekend, proving I'm an idiot. After the misfire issue we blew a tire.

Making the best of it while a skinny hulk hogan was at work.

We determined it was the fuel filter causing the misfire about 800 miles from Albuquerque. It would've taken pulling the turbo and a ton of work in front of a parts shop. We decided to risk it and continue on.

That...

made this possible

and a 400 dollar towing bill for AAA. I love you AAA. This pickup was 40miles outside the vans home in Albuquerque. You did us well van, you did us well.

9 hours later back where we started with just enough time to water the plants.

Gypsy life, word.

Posted by Nick Apex at 6/4/2011 1:30 PM

It's getting to be that time

Testing for Drift2 has begun. After a drive down to Chuckwalla raceway the 10 finally had a chance to stretch it's legs on a smooth wide open track. The new bike layout hasn't been slated 100% but after testing on the track, more power and a completely new bike setup is needed.

Posted by Nick Apex at 6/3/2011 12:25 PM

Just when

I thought knew something about motorcycle culture in the US before I picked up the show at Myrtle Beach / Atlantic Beach with Icon for what's commonly known as Black Bike Week. The latter name could be better said as Black Sportbike Week as I've never seen a bike gathering that was anywhere close to as large and primarily comprised of inline 4's.

I could ramble for hours about how much fun the event was but how about just a couple teaser photos while I edit the rest? Nick Hill took all the shots, so give him credit. To repay him we're going to fund a Badass Eagle tattoo chest piece. Eternal everything, huh Nick!?

Lets just say it was this sort of party