Photos & Entry By Jolene Van Vugt, AKA “Nitro Girl”
Travis is not new to knocking the wind out of himself but I don’t really think it’s something that anyone becomes accustom to no matter how many times you do. The act of gasping for air, knowing it with evenutally come back, you just hope sooner then later is still not one of the funest things to indure, but and I mean this in the nicest way possible, it sure can be funny for those who are watching. Especially with us ’cause it usually follows something dumb that we thought of, or someone not committing to something! I can’t remember how many times I have seen that look on Travis’s face along the very odd sound that one makes when fighting to get their breath back after knocking the wind out themselves. Travis is very loud and very distinct, as was caught on tape last year at the Winter Games filming in Utah when we was trying to backflip the snow-cycle and went a little too big trying to beat Jim.
So while we were at the Forgotten Lake and he was sick of seeing nobody complete what he thought was a completely simple task, he stepped up and on the first try, proved his point! He had everyone chuckling at the fact that he had clammed to be sitting this one out but was now once again gasping for air as the repercussions of his body slammed a huge high speed bell flopped onto the water from a forward jumping motion off the beach behind the Ogio boat. As I stood there laughing and taking pictures of him in discomfort as he slowly and painfully swam and then clawed his way back onto the beach, this lead me to my thought of how many times I have seen Travis knock the wind of himself, which then leads me to this little flashback remembering one of his hardest and maybe not so funny at first hits when we were filming the Summer Games last year at his house in MD and once again wanting to upstage Jim and ending up dislocating a couple of his ribs, (which he still to-date mentions that they are out of place and cause him discomfort at times) as he crashed and yes, knocked the wind out of himself.
It all started with Travis bringing in some guys from Woodward, having them bring and set-up a huge resey as part of the NC Summer Games ‘07. There was to be a best trick and big air competition. Travis didn’t win either of these, but not for lack of trying in true Travis style throwing a fricken-wicked-redonkuliss attempt at a double backflip on his mountain bike, crashing and leaving for the hospital before the contest had even really started! Fortunately his Father Robert was there to tell him what a whimp he was being and that there was really no need for him to go to the hospital! Oh, good old Robert always there for those words of encouragement just when you need them most and to pick you up when your down! Travis did nail the first and even the second rotation and would have had it but at the last minute, thought he didn’t, twisting his head and body position, which then stopped his rotation and had him hit the landing extremely hard on his side. (This footage is also in the ThrillBillies video) The sound rang through his backyard as he got up from the crash, stumbling around gasping for air and holding what he thought were broken ribs. As Travis has no patience he was already try to explain even before he was done gasping for air why he chickened out at the last second.
I’d have to say if there is one person in the world that has managed by repetition, to master the fine art of knocking the wind out of yourself and doing with grace, it’s gotta be TP!
Travis getting ready.
The take off!
And a graceful belly flop landing.
The music begins.
Crawling out, still gasping!
The Double back attempt.
Sorry I missed the landing shot, but here he is holding his ribs.
And here gasping for air!
Travis your so awesome you can do the badest stuff ever. You r my hero . O And Andy will never be as good as you
Hey Nitro Circus Crew, You are awesome. I watch the show every Sunday and enjoy watching the both the coolest and stupidest things you guys (and gal) do. I hope to see at least 5 or more seasons of Nitro Circus because I have to say, I’ve never really been a fan of “Jackass” but this show beats its ass. Jo, you are too hot for TV…seriously, you need your own censor bar because you’re hot! T.P., You are the coolest…not enough words describe how cool you are!! As for the rest of the crew, don’t kill yourselves trying to best Travis or Jolene. I hope Jolene will be in the Summer X-Games because I don’t see enough women doing X-Games in the Summer! Later NC and hit me up at jason_ice_carson81@yahoo.com
HUBERT its blain keysaer son ur shop teacher i use to ride 4 wheelers with u lol u use to come watch us rope lol i watch u everyday now lol how have u been doing so whoever reads this please tell hubert to call mr. keysaers son or “little B”
Ello!! I want to announce my challenging of STREETBIKE TOMMY to a jump off!! I can do anything he can do less gracefull! Without a glimpse of know-how I will destroy all of ST’s crashes as well as have a fatboys leauge that T and I can start challenging all of the couch potato nation we call america!!!
hey does anyone know what song is playing when jolene show scott palmer “whats up” doing a step up on a dirt bike in the thrillbilles movie. I think its during the evil kneivel tribute section. thanks! karen
man love the the show i wish i can come do some crazy shit with yall.it would be cool to chill with u guys and get hurt or something? haha
ive had a champagne bottle and a jersey from traivs from southwick nationals when he was on a 125 that he never was able to sighn can ne 1 help me out
u guys are fuked i love it
Hey i race motocross for ktm usa and i was wondering if u need to get rid of any pitbikes cuz i want one bad./ dstweed@hotmail.com
Hey travis, I am a lot like you and i’m 11 years old. I’ve already had 4 cunncusions, 2 brocken noses, 4 brocken fingers, brocken my thy bone and dislocated my shoulder twice. I am a fan of doing insane things and i hope i could be on the show when i am older. You are my idle. The only thing is, i want to be a pro mountain biker, skateboarder or bmxer. My parents don’t want me to get a dirt bike.
Omg i would do anything to be on this show….its so insane. Right now im actually trying to get a pit bike so i can backflip it. And i want to get a parachute so i can base jump off of this antenna behind my neighborhood. Yall need to come to Birmingham, Alabama so that i can meet yall. Once you meet me im sure you will consider letting me ride with you.
Sorry,
Got my months all messed up, its actually April 9th-12th. Its the third biggest city for three days here in Alaska. Here’s the website if you want to check it out! It would be awesome to see the Nitro Circus crew on Snowmachines!
http://67.131.251.172/
Jolene,
I dont know if any of you have ever gone “snowmobiling” (up in Alaska we call it snowmachine) before, but April 12th-15th in Summit Lake, Alaska is the biggest snowmachining rally in the country. Its crazy fun, and I dont think I have ever seen you guys get on a sled before. It’s just a thought, mountains big enough to do pretty much anything, and the biggest party you will ever get to be a part of!!
I have to give respect to Streetbike Tommy… And like you say, “He has no decernable skills when it comes down to it. But, he will still give it his all when the task drops to him.” To you Tommy… cause you are the common man doing the most crazy uncommon things a fellow poor ass construction worker can only dream to try.
I love ur guyses show u guys inspire me if u want to get rid of any bikes email me at mason_workman_16@hotmail.com. Ps i am a thirteen year boy who lives in a small town
Jolene
Please stop being so hot. I can’t handle it!
To the whole NITRO CIRCUS CREW you all kick ass. My family and i watch your show every sunday night and all reruns.You have inspiried my husband so much he went and bought a 125cc dirt bike.Like i said you all are awsome please don’t stop what your doing.I love that you live life to the fullest and have fun doing it.
to the crew,
you guys are so great… despite some ’stupidity’ you are all amazing riders… I look up to you all and it is my biggest dream to meet you, i love your show,
sam (again)
Jolene,
I grew up hanging with all the boys and riding around all that stuff.. just wanted to let you know that you are my hero and a huge inspiration! If I could be like anyone it would be you. You are such a great rider, and brave, and up to try anything new! you r living proof that girls can do anything that boys can! keep it up-luv the show
I am 14 year old girl and i ride dirt bikes, not tricks and nothing fancy but i ride
Sam
I like the show I live for doing many different activities. I have raced motocross when I was younger I have hung from buildings and cleaned windows, water ski, and wake boarded and so on. I wish that one day I had the opportunity to come out there and hang one day and see what I have against the Nitro crew. I think I can keep up with anything and everything you all do. But needless to say love the show. And would enjoy to be able to come hang out one day.
Travis Pastrana you are the coolest ever. your my idol, dirtbiking is my favorite thing to do. i love watching your shows and crew are amazing! i know that to be an amazing rider you need lots of tranning. when i get older i wand to become a motocross rider like you use to be. your the best rider in the world. try not to break any more bones.
Biggest Fan: David
Yo Nitro circis crew my name is todd shelly i have cystic fibrosis and addisons disease wich effect my lungs and adrenal gland and i just wanna say you uys have inspired me to get out ride my bike more take more risks and just get together with friends and just have fun. thanks again
todd shelly
TRAVIS!!!!! im a huge fan of nitro circus. actually DESTRUKTO ELITE (my whole group of idiots) are huge fans! we want to know what it takes to be as good as you and the rest of your crew. and do you have any advice on riding because i am just starting out and i started on a 250! with all sorts of balls!!! any tips? please reply and just like aaron said if you got any bikes you wanna get rid of (including pit bikes) hit me up at farthead_06@hotmail.com
peace
Come to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
We have a bunch of things to tear up.
=)
dear Travis pastrana i was wondering what it takes to be a rally car racer because i want to be one and i want that as a career and i would like to know what you need to know besides being a really good driver and that i would appreciate it if you would send me an email telling me what i have to do to be the best rally car racer and that way i can be the thrill seeking idiot that i want to be
sincerely
keaton rousse
Travis, strate up the stuff you guy do on the show is sic. But it pissz me off when i see nice bikes you guys got get F*** up… i got a suzuki RM125 and yeah i beet the shiznit out of it YEAH DUDE liv big haha… big fan “go big or go home”
ps. you got any bikes you want to get red over hit me up at aryder95@yahoo.com my bike ceep shiting the bed and i just got into riding, You know how it is riding is like drugs
peace!
Every Sunday night im becoming more and more inspired to live a life of fun and get payed for it. Thanks for keeping it in my head that its always in reach.
Biggest Fan, Jake
Jolene if you could possibly tell us how one man could be such a fricken dork and at the same time be the gnarliest guy you ever met…..hands down!!!!
oh by the way nice word you got there (redonkuliss) when i read that i almost died from laughing so hard….
Its time to update the shiiit!!:P
does anybody know what the name of the song that plays in the premiere?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYqTmhFmpvo