Bij De Dreef in Aarle-Rixtel is afgelopen zaterdag 26 oktober de voormalige skateramp van Mariahout herplaatst. Het plan voor de herplaatsing ontstond toen twee jaar geleden het Oranjeplein in Mariahout werd vernieuwd en er voor de ramp geen plaats meer was. Een aantal vrijwilligers van jongerencentrum OJA uit Aarle-Rixtel heeft de ramp geplaatst.
Op de Sugar Hills Trails aan de Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel vond zaterdag 31 augustus de FATJAM 2024 plaats. BMX-ers van alle niveaus genoten van spectaculaire sprongen, de uitdagende KILLER-jump en de ontspannen sfeer.
It's on top of the bucket list for some, the FATJAM. It's been around for so long (since 1988) so if you've never been, and only heard the stories, here's another chance for you. Next one up: 31 August 2024 at the Sugar Hills Trails in Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands. Dirt riding for all. Youngters, veterans and the KILLER jump for the daredevils. Challenges are different for each rider. Making it through the pack might be one. Finding transfers might be an other. Doing a big trick on the KILLER jump could be on top of the list also. Either way, no pressure, just challenges. Riding together, receiving tips and motivation from those who are waiting for their next run on top of the hill. Being encouraged will help with your personal goals. The FATJAM is the perfect day for it. You ride street? Come ride dirt for a day. You race BMX? Come jump some gaps. In short, everyone is welcome.
Bring a chair, fill up that coolbox. We'll have a BBQ, music, a giant "prize festival" around 16:00hr and a trails spot in good shape. Meet up with everyone. Plan a trip together. Score a photo on FATBMX. The annual FATJAM is full of surprises. If you show up on August 31st, you'll go home with one thanks to a silent sponsor.
Date: 31 August 2024
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.
Pension plan? Don't really have one. First you gotta see if you actually make it that far. The FATJAM has made it to 65 editions and is not ready to stop. It's the longest running annual BMX jam in the world and looking at the smiles on everyone's faces it would be a mistake to end the good times. So if you have never made it to Aarle-Rixtel for a FATJAM, your live isn't over, you will get an other chance. Also for this edition we had to prepare the sugar Hills trails for the dirt session. It's unbelievable the Killer jump has survived this long. It outlasted many riders and caused some victims once again. That name is there for a reason. You've got to respect the Killer because the moment you don't you'll get killed as some of the youngsters found out. Oh well, there's your new challenge for the next edition; master the Killer. The dirt spot looked good and ready for the afternoon of action. The massive rain the day prior had only helped. Thanks to all who pitched in shaping, digging and getting rid of that grass that keeps coming back.
Once again prizes were handed out around 4pm provided by the raddest companies in BMX. It resulted in happy faces especially when a brand new complete bike was handed out to the 2023 FATJAM Talent presented by OJA. Lentjens will be a BMX lifer. This moment he'll never forget. Aarle-Rixtel breeds BMX-ers and in part it's because of its BMX history. The people who have traveled to send tricks, hang out and party is long. And international.
Burgers were flipped. Mom sponsored the burgers this time. Paul and Robbish flipped them as our
Op zaterdag 25 maart barste het BMX-geweld weer los op de hoek van de Buizerdstraat/Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel. BMX-fans konden hun hart weer ophalen op de Sugar Hills Trails. Sinds 1990 is hier jaarlijks de opening van het buitenseizoen.
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
What started in 1987 as a street jam was continued at the Sugar Hills trails with the focus on riding dirt. In fact we did three street jams in Aarle-Rixtel before moving to De Valkendijk where the dirt spot has seen annual action for over 32 years now. Is the FATJAM the longest running annual BMX jam in the world? This past Saturday 3 September called for another one. The process remains the same; pick a date, make a flyer, tell people about the jam, and wait and see who turns up.
For the 2022 edition we added a 40-years EK Beek & Donk reunion. The Milky Way Open European Championships happened 40 years ago on our local BMX track in Beek & Donk a few miles from Aarle-Rixtel. If you wanted to talk oldskool BMX, the FATJAM was the place. Gerrit and Mieke Does, and Pieter Does made it to the jam early and first international visitor in 1982 Thomas Fritscher (GER) found his way back to Aarle-Rixtel as well. Former BMX photographer Christ Verhoeven and his son Gert showed up and contributed to the old stories as did Ans Vereijken, Tiny van Brug, André Duijmelink, Jan, Leo and Diny Leenders, Richard Waldt and Johan de Leeuw. Names who probably don't mean much to current BMX riders but were there when BMX was shaped. With 1982 EK Beek & Donk buttons and Milky Ways on the table the old stories came back instantly.
Add Frits van der Linden on the BBQ and a JBL producing songs and you'll get the idea where things were going with some cool Bavaria's being opened from time to time....
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.