X Marks the Spot
Watch X Games athletes flip, twist and ollie over iconic Austin landmarks in new video
If you were ambling around Austin a few weeks ago, you may have gotten a sneak preview of this summer's X Games. Some of the country's best skaters, motocross riders and BMXers took to our streets to flip, twist, spin and pop over local landmarks such as the Welcome to Austin mural, the Bullock Texas State History Museum and, of course, a Gourghdoughs' Airstream.
BMX riders Ryan Nyquist and Nate Adams met up with locals at an Austin park, while skateboarders Curren Caples, Nyjah Huston, Ishod Wair and Mitchie Brusco joined Moto X riders Nate Adams and John Hansen to take over downtown.
Just try not be jealous as the athletes enjoy a car-free ride down East Sixth Street — not to mention a completely empty Congress Avenue Bridge. (The streets were shut down for production, sparking a bit of outrage.) Perhaps city planners should consider investing in a skateboard program to alleviate traffic. Sure there would be more broken wrists, but think how quickly we would get across town.
The virtual thank you note comes less than three weeks before the X Games has its Austin debut. Hosted at the Circuit of the Americas, the four-day event will run from June 5-8 and feature the world's best extreme sport athletes. And since this is the Live Music Capital of the World, expect a full-fledged music festival featuring our very own Gary Clark Jr. and Emily Wolfe, as well as Pretty Lights, Slightly Stoopid, The Flaming Lips and Bad Religion.
And while there is no word yet if Austin is the destination for the rapper's honeymoon with Kim Kardashian, expect an appearance from Yeezus himself, Kanye West.