40 years in BMX is nothing to be shy about, and Odyssey celebrated big collaborating with Vans. The brands mutually deep BMX roots shine bright with the all-new Vans BMX Proof Wafflecup Shoe and the BMX Classic Slip-On WaffleCup Shoe. And least not forget the Vans X Odyssey Long Sleeve Jersey and Camper Hat rounding out the collection.
And there’s no better way to solidify the collaboration than to get some of the shared team riders together, lace up some fresh BMX Proofs (slip-on some freshies for Murray) and go ride bikes. Palm Springs provided the terrain, and Dennis Enarson, Gary Young, Perris Benegas, Johnny Raekes, Murray Loubser, and Boyd Hilder brought the biking…
What are your thoughts on Palm Springs?
Dennis: We picked Palm Springs because it’s a small enough town so it’s not hard to get around, but there are plenty of spots, ditches, and parks to hold us over the whole time we were there. It was perfect because I think we literally rode everything we could by the end of the trip. That city is really cool with unique desert vibes. We were all feelin’ it. Even the insane windstorm that rolled through one day was pretty sick to be around for. The desert can go from a peaceful still place to a monster in minutes.
Gary: As I headed into Palm Springs there was a pretty fierce sandstorm that proved to be a fairly consistent character that week. I feel like a lot of the clips that me and the crew managed to get, happened as the odds were stacked against us and we were living in hard mode. During the brief breaks in weather, we were able to ride some pretty amazing spots, eat really good food, and hang with some of the best people I have had the pleasure to spend time with. Boyd and Murray taught us a card game called Shithead and that was our nightly routine after battling Palm Springs.
Murray: Palm Springs, it was my first time setting foot in the city. After a long drive from Long Beach through the winding windy valleys with wind turbines scattered around everywhere we emerged into a flat pan like area planted in between steep rocky mountain slopes. My eyes were greeted by thousands of palm trees and beautifully colored mid-century houses. After cruising around the city for a few days with the solid crew we soon realized that it is windy pretty much every day in Palm Springs. And it gets super-hot around mid-day—like melting your mind hot—sandstorms are a real thing too. And if you find a spot you ride it because there aren’t too many of them around. Regardless, we had the best time, searching the area and ditching, eating the best foods, jumping into the cool Airbnb pool, playing cards, bike riding and talking shit.
Perris: My first thought is “Man, I wish I was able to stay the whole time!” Especially after seeing the whole video and how many cool spots they went and rode. Palm Springs was great though! It’s always awesome to be on a trip with such a great crew in such a beautiful place. I had so much fun getting to ride and hangout with everyone.
Boyd: Palm Springs was a dream trip really! Ripping into parks, ditches and street spots with the best group of hybrid riders there is. Weather was stinking hot, but we pushed through because we all knew we had the sickest pool back at the Airbnb [laughs].
How was it riding with the squad selected for the trip?
Gary: Getting to ride with that crew was an absolute treat. Their depths of skill was really tested as we battled less than optimal conditions. As you watch the video, you’ll notice that nearly half of the video was filmed at a school we rode on the way out of Palm Springs. That school had great spots, weather, no one was kicking us out, it felt like we were finally able to get off the “Hard Mode” we were fighting in Palm Springs. Palm Springs really showcases the crew’s ability to ride most any spot in less-than-ideal conditions. It should be worth mentioning that Murray can really do it all—he’s been one of my favorites for several years now and he has only gotten better.
Murray: The whole crew was so solid, from the camera men, Colin the TM, to the riders. We all got along well on and off the bikes. Offering different riding styles and preferred terrains. It was cool seeing everyone getting it on their bikes whatever we were riding and watching everyone clip up on their type of spot, too. These peeps are mind blowing!
Perris: This was one of the sickest crews to be on a trip with. It had me wishing I could’ve stayed the whole time. Watching Boyd and Murray feed off of each other was so fun. Then you have Johnny’s mind melting combos and of course Gary and Dennis doing what they do. All around, incredible humans and riding and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to ride and hang with them for a few days!
Have you worked with Calvin before?
Gary: I have only had the pleasure of taking one other trip with Calvin about ten years prior, while filming for the Vans Illustrated video. Calvin is down for the mission and was able to juggle filming the whole crew all day, every day. He’s easy to travel with and kept us in the loop with where we were at with clips. Basically, he kills it.
Dennis: Just little things here and there. I love that dude. I would go on any trip with Calvin. Filming, riding, or just chillin’ with him—it’s the best.
Perris: I’ve worked with Calvin a little bit for different Vans projects. This was my first experience with riding and it was smooth sailing. I’ve always been a fan of his work, so I was hyped to be able to film with him on this project.
Was there a specific spot or clip you got that you’re really stoked on?
Gary: Riding X-Park [La Quinta park] was super fun and I am stoked that the triple wallride spot worked out.
Murray: There was this slightly banked brick wall transition spot on one of the main streets. It was super fun to ride, but hard to think of something unique to film on it. After being there for a while with the crew I figured out something to try. I think that’s one of my favorite parts about BMX riding, the satisfaction you get from thinking of something to try on a spot that you’d be stoked on, then executing the trick you puzzled out. Anyway, I was pretty hyped on the clip I got there. You can see at 1:26 on the timeline of the Proof of Biking video on the Vans YouTube account.
Dennis: Not really, I was just very happy to be riding like myself by the end of the trip. I was coming off an injury and this was my first team film trip back. The first couple days were really hard getting back into the swing of things, but by the last couple days of the trip I was really starting to feel like myself again. So that’s what I was probably most happy about, riding wise.
Perris: I’m stoked on the line I got at the Palm Springs skatepark! I had so much fun riding the bowl with Boyd trying to link the line. Riding skateparks with him is so fun! He’s non-stop, like a little energizer kangaroo [laughs].
Boyd: I’d say that wallride whip line, felt so good to deck manual and link up a line in that ditch. Full on desert surfing.
Assuming this was the first time you showed up for a trip and were asked to ride in a new shoe you’ve never worn before, how’d it go for you?
Gary: Yes, indeed it was. Thankfully the shoe is super comfortable and seems to walk the line quite nicely of protecting your feet while still maintaining a good pedal feel. Once I was given the go ahead the shoes have been on my feet ever since.
Dennis: That actually was the case for the Proof, I had never rode in it and they wanted to make sure I got some clips wearing it. The shoe looked rad, but I’m normally a slip-on guy while riding—at least the last five to ten years. Jumping into a new shoe I wasn’t used to kinda sketched me out a little to be honest. But within the first session I was in love with that shoe and I still am. I’m about to put them on today to go ride. And we all know I loved the slip on right away. You can’t go wrong with a Vans gum BMX sole slip!
Perris:It was definitely a first! It felt wild looking down and not recognizing my own feet [laughs] then after riding in them for a bit it was all good! The shoes were easy to adjust to, and I enjoyed how they felt / fit.
Boyd: Mate there was no worries from me or the rest of the crew at all. We all laced them up together the morning of the commercial and you could see how stoked everyone was to get them on some pedals.
It’s been a bit since Vans has come out with an all-new BMX shoe. Thoughts on the all the new Proof BMX shoe?
Gary: Love it. They really did a good job listening to the team and taking our feedback to create something great.
Murray: First thoughts were; sturdy, supportive, good looking, comfortable, easy to wear with any outfit, and durable. After wearing them for a while I couldn’t agree more with my original thoughts, they proved the test!
Dennis: Not just saying this, but they might be the best shoes I have ever worn right out the box. I’m usually more into low profile shoes, but these are so sick! They didn’t take more than a couple runs around the park to get used to and I just wanted to kick whips all day because they made my feet feel bullet proof, but they’re not all stiff and gross, so I had that pedal feel—10 outa 10!
Perris: The new Proof shoes are comfy and ready to go right out of the box! It’s a different style of shoe that I’m used to riding in and it actually felt great. The newer design of the BMX Wafflecup offers more sturdiness and support which is something everyone will be stoked on! The idea behind the colorway is historical with Odyssey’s packaging coming to life in a shoe.
Boyd: The new boots went so good straight out of the box. The waffle cup combo’d with the fatter tongue was comfy, but sturdy. Had me keen to kick some whips.
The Vans X Odyssey collection is available at Vans.com/bmx
Congrats! You made it this far. Now enjoy some more photos shot by Jeff Zielinski.
