Middenberm Jam 2012. Madurodam my ass! By BdJ

Jun 26, 2012

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3316 times

The Middenberm dirt spot in The Hague is hidden in the bush. On Saturday 23 June riders were invited to come over for a jam. Some sponsors were gathered so there was some prize money to give out at the end of the day and Monster Energy once again took care of the drinks and the BBQ. Catfish was flown in to commentate and Bob Manchester was brought over to join the session. It was windy, very windy, but with the trees around the jumps, the wind wasn't a factor. The weather was actually just right which gave the riders the opportunity to ride all day long. The main builders at "The Berm" are mtb riders, or 26" or however you call them, and during the jam the two just blended together. It was bikes doing runs and when it came down to the last set, the crowd enjoyed the stunts.

Up on top the line started off with some rollers, a small double, a spine style jump followed by two sets into a hipped speed jump, double and straight into a down hill set-up jump of 8 meters. That's where it got tricky because the last set

wasn't Madurodam size, it was huge! It took some balls clearing this set not only because of the distance (8 meters?) but the take off shot you to the top of the trees if you gave it a decent pump.

After getting used to it, most just rode the 1 hour session. It was free to ride, no registration, but at the end of the hour, three riders won either some cash or some goodies. Tom Selbeck didn't feel comfortable going for the last two sets and stayed on top where he showed many tricks. If you stayed at the bottom, you probably never saw Tom ride but he got third and picked up some goodies from Teva, Finger and Monster after someone told him to stop riding for a minute.

Too much fun. Second place went to fresh daddy Patrick Harteveld who brought the one week old baby to the jam as well. The proud dad tricked every set and the entire family went home stoked. First place in BMX went to Bob Manchester. Bob just enjoyed himself riding trails for a day and did some tricks along the way. His superwhip over the last set was sick and I did see him do a quick 360 turndown over the set as well. With some cash in the pocket, Bob was ready for the afterparty.

When the power hour was over it was time for the Best

Trick contest on the last set. A few of the tricks I saw were a cancan 360 by a ripping rider from Australia who's name I didn't catch. Schep did nothings, a turndown flip and a rad no-footed superman cancan. Tom van den Boogaard did no-handers to turndowns as there was plenty of time in the air to do two tricks in one jump. Kees was showing rad style and pulled toboggans and no-handers grabbing the tire (and some spokes). Local Nicky van der Veen waved to his friends watching below while in the air and Sem Kok also did a no-hander over the biggie. The best trick award however went to Shannon Balorian for doing a no-handed front flip over the last set. Sickerning.

The vibe at the Berm Jam was just right. Music, action, drinks, friends, a good mix. Thanks to all. Till next time.

BdJ