De BMX-baan in Aarle-Rixtel werd weer in paraatheid gebracht voor de jaarlijkse Mini Fatjam. Het evenement vond zaterdag 30 maart plaats op de Sugar Hills Trails (Valkendijk).
The first one took place in 1990 just after the opening of the new dirt spot at the Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel. 34 years later and the Sugar Hills Trails are still there, same location and the place of the annual Mini-FATJAM. Although it would have been easy to call it quits after so many editions, it is great to see riders show up to ride dirt for a day. Many of them hardly ever ride dirt. Many of them hardly ever ride. Many of them now show up with their kids to ride. Many people just show up to hang out and have a beer.
The Mini FATJAM isn't a high class competition, it's a gathering of BMX fans or maybe you can better call it a reunion. Thanks to support from companies like TSG and Vans and Paul's Boutique BMX Hardware store
De BMX-baan in Aarle-Rixtel werd weer in paraatheid gebracht voor de jaarlijkse Mini Fatjam. Het evenement vond zaterdag 30 maart plaats op de Sugar Hills Trails (Valkendijk).
Almost time again for the annual Mini FATJAM. We'll have to fix that dirt spot in the coming weeks to make sure everyone can enjoy a day of dirt riding at the Sugar Hills Trails in Aarle-Rixtel. The trails first appeared in 1990 and they're still there. It's also the first year we threw a Mini FATJAM. 2024 will be no different. Same concept. Bring your bike. Ride as much as you like. Hang out. Jump the Killer. Chill. Clear the doubles. Catch up. Find new lines. Crack a beer. Learn a new trick. Win a prize. Vans, Paul's Boutique and TSG have got you covered.
BMX-ers together in one place having fun. That's basically it. It's that simple. Help is welcome getting the jumps in shape, getting rid of the grass, making sure everything runs smoothly. There's plenty to be done and everyone can help. We'll have music and Paul will grab that microphone around 15:30hr which will be the time the goodies will find new owners. For those who've never been to a FATJAM, this is your chance.
The afterparty will take place at OJA. Anything goes at that place. So be prepared. Booking.com for places to stay. Google maps for Directions (Valkendijk, Aarle-Rixtel, Brabant, Netherlands). For those needing bike parts, contact Paul's Boutique BMX to see if he's got what you need.
BMX-fans konden zaterdag 25 maart hun hart weer ophalen op de Sugar Hills Trails aan de Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel. Sinds 1990 vindt hier jaarlijks de opening van het buitenseizoen plaats; de BMX Mini Fatjam.
The Sugar Hills trails in Aarle-Rixtel have hosted the Mini FATJAM since 1990. The little brother of the FATJAM opens the outdoor season officially. We've had great weather at the end of March multiple times but the 2023 edition had to be completed in the dry periods in the afternoon of 25 March. Luckily the trails can handle some rain. Drainage works as well as the black sand that absorbs the rain well. The jumps made of clay were scraped off a tiny bit which made them rideable within 15 minutes. Not that the little ones cared as they kept on riding also when water was falling out of the sky. If all this sounds dramatic, it wasn't. The EZ-UPs provided shelter and catching up took place in the few moments the rain took care of the dust.
While going through the pictures I noticed the essence of the Mini FATJAM. One photo shows Jari Roggeveen flipping the killer jump. 9-years old local Morris followed him towards the killer but did not dare to jump it. Next photo I see the two of them have a chat next to the KILLER. For the little ones getting to ride with the pros is awesome to see. The pros motivating the younger riders by giving pointers to progress is what makes BMX the best. With Morris being so young that Killer jump sure is intimidating. That ramp is taller than the kid himself and sends you to the moon. Next thing we see is for Morris to head to the Killer at full speed on his 18" bike. Full face on. Body protector strapped tight. With all his might Morris had followed Jari's advice and sent it big on the Killer. He managed to clear the gap and put a big smile on his face. Personal challenges are different for everyone and at the Sugar Hills
Last night I wrote an info piece on the upcoming Mini FATJAM with details on where, who, what, when, and why. Then, when I wanted to add a photo, things got weird and the write-up disappeared. I hate it when that happens as writing it for a second time is never the same. Now I want to rush this as I had already typed things up last night. But anyway, here we go again so you have the info you need when making plans to come to Aarle-Rixtel on Saturday 25 March 2023.
The Mini FATJAM will held at the Sugar Hills, located at the Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel. Google it, check the distance, and then say; let's GO! The trails have been fixed up and are in good condition, even now already so pre-sessions are possible. They are free now and they will be free on 25 March, as is parking, spectator access, toilet use, etc. We just want to get everyone together to celebrate the opening of the outdoor season.
With a bit of luck we can convince Masterchef Fritske Maat again to flip some burgers. Feel free to bring your own booze/drinks/snacks/food/chairs/tents as we're not out there to make money on this as we haven't from the start. The trails have been around since 1990 and has hosted two jams every year. It would be easy to call it quits and enjoy the weekend off, but it brings so much joy to all the BMX-ers from the 4 year old nibbler to the 50+ old school crew. There's something to ride for everyone, from little rollers to table tops to doubles and of course the KILLER jump. We just want to remind you that doing
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.
30 years in a row we've opened the outdoor BMX season with the Mini-FATJAM in Aarle-Rixtel. Crazy when you think of it. Most of you reading this weren't riding back then but that doesn't mean that you should not check out the upcoming Mini FATJAM in Aarle-Rixtel on March 30th. It's seriously a jam for everyone who loves BMX or is involved somehow. The trails go from easy rollers (we've got 6 year old kids rolling along) to various lines and of course the KILLER jump. Ride all afternoon as much as you like. Try out dirt jumping if you never ride dirt. The session will be open from 13:00hr - 18:00hr with several prizes going out to the participating riders at 16:00hr. But come over early to get some extra practice in. The Sugar Hills Trails at De Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel, NL will be in tip top shape, music will be playing and it's time for another catch-up.
From 20:00hr OJA will be open for those who are still thirsty. OJA has been the after party place of the FATJAM since day 1. Located at Schoolstraat 2 in Aarle-Rixtel you should pencil that into your agenda right now.
What: Mini FATJAM
Where: Sugar Hills Trails, Valkendijk, Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands
At the end of 1989 we got a little dirt spot in our home town of Aarle-Rixtel, NL. We decided to add another FATJAM to the schedule early in the year to open up the outdoor season. It was later dubbed the Mini FATJAM, a smaller version of the summer edition. This past Saturday the Mini FATJAM took place for the 29th time! One can say that the local council got their money's worth on dropping some truckloads of dirt at the Valkendijk. Once again the Sugar Hills locals did the digging and final preparation of the trails for the big day. With loads of rain last week, it was great to work on the sandy trails and when Saturday came around, it was a sunny day. Not only riders came out, but also the locals with their Bavaria's and even the AAA (Aarlese A-sociale Amerikanen club) did a drive by with their American cars.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.