I'm pretty sure there are BMX trails out there that have been around since 1989 and are still running. I'm not sure if there are trails that have seen 2 jams a year annually. We can blame Covid for not having a jam at the Sugar Hills Trails in Aarle-Rixtel but the pandemic has next to disappeared in The Netherlands making it possible for all to get together and have a good time. We've missed this, a lot. With the Mini FATJAM happening at the beginning of the year and the FATJAM somewhere at the end of August each year, the weather risk is certainly present. We had snow on Friday(!) but the trails certainly could you the moisture as the two weeks prior had been sunny and dry making it hard to shape the jumps the right way.
Come Saturday morning the trails were in excellent condition with no dust and no mud in sight. The temperature would not get above 6 (that's Celsius!) so you either had to ride to stay warm, or simply drink a lot. Riding was done constantly for 5 hours by riders lining up on the starting hill who could choose either line to get back in line for another run. The far left took the dare devils to the Killer Jump and the far right line had the biggest sets. In between another 4 lines were ready for action. It is awesome to see the Team NL riders line up with the youngsters, street riders and old schoolers. There was no pressure for anyone so everyone did what they wanted to do. Making it through (new) lines might be the challenge for some while doing tricks through the sets is the challenge for others. But the Mini FATJAM is more than that.
Half the people came to hang out, eat a burger, drink a Red Bull or a beer and catch up. It had been a while since we got together in Aarle-Rixtel and it was clear that it was dearly missed. It felt good to not show the QR code, to not keep the 1,5 meter distance, and the mask wasn't missed by one single person. Let's move forward from here, back to the old times.
Thanks to everyone who helped out and supported the event. You know who you are and we really appreciate your support. Too many to list. See you this summer for the real FATJAM.
BdJ
Pics by Bart de Jong/@FATBMX
Half the people came to hang out, eat a burger, drink a Red Bull or a beer and catch up. It had been a while since we got together in Aarle-Rixtel and it was clear that it was dearly missed. It felt good to not show the QR code, to not keep the 1,5 meter distance, and the mask wasn't missed by one single person. Let's move forward from here, back to the old times.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.