FINDING THE FLOW: LITTLE IMAGE’S JACKSON SIMMONS RIDES GLEN HELEN
MUSIC, MOTO AND THE TRIUMPH TF 250-X
The Triumph TF 250-X is featured in a new short film following Jackson Simmons, frontman of alternative band little image, as he takes on the legendary Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California.
Simmons discovered motocross in his early twenties through his father-in-law, a former Supercross rider who introduced him to the sport. While many of the riders around him had been on bikes since childhood, Simmons was immediately drawn to the adrenaline, focus and community surrounding moto.
“Ever since I first kicked my leg over a bike, it’s been game over,” Simmons says. “It became an obsession. Most of the people I ride with started when they were four years old, and I’m the newbie, but it’s such a cool community. It’s almost a contagious sport.”
When someone asked Simmons whether he loved bikes and moto, the answer was immediate. That shared enthusiasm quickly aligned around the idea for a film connecting his life as a musician with the escape he finds through riding.
The video was filmed at Glen Helen Raceway, an iconic destination within the motocross community. Simmons and his father-in-law had talked for years about making the trip from Texas to ride there together, making his first opportunity to experience the track particularly meaningful.
“I genuinely couldn’t believe I was out there riding,” Simmons says. “Almost every rider you follow has filmed something at Glen Helen. It’s such a legendary and challenging track that I almost felt unworthy to be there.”
Directed by Hunter Lyon, the film captures Simmons navigating both a new motorcycle and an unfamiliar track while exploring the sense of freedom and focus that continues to draw him to the sport.
“Jack and I have been friends for a while, and motocross was the shared interest that kicked off our friendship,” Lyon says. “We’d talk about how riding or watching motocross was our break from work and life, so when it came time to do this project, it was just a natural extension of talks we’ve had.”
To capture the energy of the ride, Lyon used a mixed-format approach combining digital footage with film, drone shots and mounted cameras. The black-and-white sequences were shot on 16mm film, while a limited color palette and Simmons’ monochromatic riding kit intentionally drew eyes to the TF 250-X.
The Motorcycle
Simmons rode the Triumph TF 250-X, Triumph’s 250cc four-stroke motocross bike, throughout the film. It was his first experience riding a Triumph dirt bike, and his initial impression was its smooth, comfortable and controlled feel.
“Compared with other bikes I’ve used, it felt like a more luxurious riding experience,” Simmons says. “It still had so much speed, but it felt more controllable. For someone like me who loves riding but isn’t a professional racer, it felt like the perfect bike.”
Despite arriving at Glen Helen without prior experience on the motorcycle or the track, Simmons quickly developed a connection with the TF 250-X. One of the day’s most memorable moments came when the film crew encouraged him to forget about the cameras and simply ride.
“I probably did seven laps and started to find a real rhythm,” he says. “Once you get to know a bike, there’s a synergy and connectedness that develops. When I finally found that comfort, I remember thinking, ‘This is what riding is all about.’ It’s the freedom and excitement of experiencing something like this.”
Music, Moto and the Road
For Simmons, riding provides both an extension of the adrenaline he experiences while touring and a necessary escape from the pressures of writing and performing.
“I’ve always found it important to have something outside of music where I can put my focus and energy,” he says. “If I’m stuck on an idea, riding gets me completely out of my head. I can focus on the bike, come back to the music and approach it with more intention.”
Whether he is onstage, on tour or navigating a motocross track, Simmons is most at ease when he is fully immersed in the moment.
“Being on a bike is the closest thing I’ve found to that feeling of being on the road when I’m back home,” he says. “Everything else goes away. I feel calm, focused and exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Beyond the Track
Off the track, Simmons and little image continue to expand the world of their acclaimed sophomore album, KILL THE GHOST. On August 21, the band recently released KILL THE GHOST TOUR (LIVE), a four-track EP featuring newly reimagined live versions of fan favorites “OUT OF MY MIND,” “REAL ESTATE,” “THE REAPER” and “KILL THE GHOST.” The project was accompanied by four performance videos that brought the energy and visual world of the band’s headline tour to audiences around the globe.
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