The Flame Trails took some beating this winter so it was time for the spot to get some love. The annual Jam was set early this year (24 March) but that would mean the trails would be back up and running early also. Help finally came in on Saturday morning when Frits, Tobias and Philip also grabbed a shovel and lent a helping hand putting up the tents, flags and Frits' Sound system. The sun came out, we had tunes going and started off the day removing "de zut". Trail diggers know exactly what that is. For those who are not in the know, it's the shit that moves down to the bottom of the jumps and needs to be removed. When removed, you're back to the dry good soil. This is a necessity. If you skip on this process, you will have to deal with De Zut for a long time as it never packs. But removing de zut is a big process. Down the bottom of the starting hill close to 10 cm of zut needed to be removed. Once removed it creates a lower track so in case it rains, the water will stay there. Not ideal either but at least it was possible to ride wherever de zut was removed.
When building trails in The Netherlands you also need to have a plan for the water to go to. Trenches, holes, ditches, draining systems, you can't have enough of it. But for the jam the priority was to get around. The dirt was soggy so it was nice to work with. But when the soil drags the energy and speed out of you, riding isn't the best. Turns were re-shaped, jumps were put back in shape and the riders present gave their everything to clear the gaps and do a few laps. With Jari Roggeveen, Sem Kok and Niels van Maren we had a few riders who could actually do some tricks.
A few photos were taken, also for the local paper to show that the Flame Trails are back up and running and for everyone with a BMX bike to use for free 24/7. Weekly sessions take place on Tuesdays from 18:30hr - 20:00hr so chances are you'll be riding with a few extra people when you show up at those times.
Thanks to everyone for showing up and lending a hand. Trails are never finished so the building can continue. But more hands get the job done quicker. And there's plenty of Zut to be removed still.
BdJ
Pics by BdJ
Video by Ryan Verhagen HERE.
A few photos were taken, also for the local paper to show that the Flame Trails are back up and running and for everyone with a BMX bike to use for free 24/7. Weekly sessions take place on Tuesdays from 18:30hr - 20:00hr so chances are you'll be riding with a few extra people when you show up at those times. 
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.