FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

This was the 22nd FAT JAM in Aarle-Rixtel, that's a long reputation we've built up over the years and it doesn't look like things are slowing down either. The Sugar Hills locals had built a complete new trails section so it was a challenge for eveyone to make it through the jumps and find new lines. With the help of some water, hard working diggers and a baking sun, the jam really took off in the afternoon.

Since there are 30-40 locals in the Laarbeek/Helmond area the starting hill was packed already before people from out of town arrived. Riders from Belgium, Germany and as far as HB found the trails and it was a bit of a reunion at the same time, catching up with Albert Moonen, Rene Hofman, the orginal A4 crew from The Hague, Kalle Arnoldi, Steven Maier, Peter Fastinetto, Kay Clauberg, Andy Zeiss and the likes. So good to have everyone in one place for a relaxed day of riding, BBQ and bullshitting.

The outside line challenged loads of people. I think Desmond 

The Snafu 8.6 race has become a fun side event at the FAT JAM. It started a few years ago and is now in its third year. This year we had two versions. One for the kids under twelve which did not have any alcohol involved, and the 12+ class. Well, yeah, uhh, that class did have some alcohol involved but there was no police around to get anyone into trouble. The -13 class was transfered into the "Snafu T-shirt race" where the kids had to open up a T-shirt package, put on the L or XL Snafu shirt and then they had to slalom between some cones ont he way up, and on the way back on their own bikes. The size of the T-shirts got in the way for most of the kids but that was the fun part. They got to keep the Snafu shirts so they'll have something to wear in the next 10 years or so. Winner, with a time of 32:78s was Teun Swanen, followed by Nick Swanen (33:70s and Jan Donkers (34:60s).

The actual 8.6 race went something like this: You first had to drink a can of beer before you had to take the party bike and slalom on the

What?!? You’ve never been to a FAT JAM in your life? Shame on you, but here’s another chance. It’s all not that hard, you just have to commit to it and get some friends together to make that trip down to Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands on Saturday 21 August. If you want to stay for the night, simply google search for a campsite or hotel near Aarle-Rixtel. Now that you’re on the computer, you should print out the directions as well. The trails are at the Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel, so type that in and you won’t get lost on your way there. What can you expect?

Six years seems like ages ago. But we're still doing the same thing. Having fun on the bikes. Loads of it today at the FAT JAM and the OJA after party. Yeah!

We've lucked out so many times with the FAT-JAMs and also the 2004 version had perfect riding weather. It's pretty bad opening up an article about the weather, like I don't know where to start. In fact, the event was held months ago and so many people have asked for the FAT-JAM article that I can't wait any longer to type something up. I just finished the OJA party report which is always a big part of the FAT-JAM. If the party is right, the event was al right. Well, ready about the OJA party somewhere else. Let's go back to the Sugar Hills, once again the venue of the FAT-JAM.

Did you know that FATBMX has all these reports on file? Just use the Search button to find them. You'd be surprised what you find on the site. Loads of stuff, like the 2006 FAT JAM report. Are you ready yet?

What a day. The FAT-JAM on Saturday saw plenty of riders make it to the Sugar Hills. The trails had been modified during the week and with the little showers in between the sessions, the dust disappeared making the trails even better. New this year was the bank to wall that was only finished on Friday night and had yet to be ridden. Riders from all over showed up with a good number of local kids on BMX bikes. That's always good to see with the future of BMX in mind. The i-pod was plugged in at 13:30 on Saturday and the jam was on. The most asked question of the day was when it was going to start. Dude, it already started. No, the contest! well, there is no contest. To please the crowd we did have an open three hour session and were looking for the best trick on the wall,

With covering street riding and flatland at the 25 years of BMX event in Eindhoven earlier this month, the Mini-FAT-JAM (little brother of..) had miniramp riding and dirt jumping in mind. On Saturday the PA was installed at the rather new miniramp at the Bosscheweg in Aarle-Rixtel. With a bunch of banners, flags and EZ-Up tents set up, it actually looked quite good. The weather cooperated with sunshine all day long and that was exactly what we needed to open the BMX outdoor season. From 13:30 - 17:30 the ramp was used non-stop. Highlights on the mini were brought by Ricardo Moes, Dennis Keunen and Daniel. Let's start off with Daniel. The name had been circulating on the Dutch scene as "The New Barry". We don't have many talent in Holland so "another Barry Kohne" is always welcome. Daniel has the flow and pulled the first fufanu on the fence and made it look so easy. He also pulled tailwhips, high airs and tech liptricks on his pegless bike.

To be honest, we had not ridden dirt at the Sugar Hills all winter. With some shaping (and no time to test) during the week, we were hoping that things would work out for the mini-FAT-JAM. It's a good motivation to fix the trails up as you are inviting people to come ride and they're expecting something rideable when they show up.

With months waiting for sunshine it was the MINI FAT JAM to start with the good weather, so the party started at 3 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. I was surprised to see a poster taped on the Mini ramp says that OJA had a band playing that night: LUPU NEGRU. Never heard of the band so I thought it couldn't be any good cause they booked them only a couple of days before but when Corné visited my shop he said he was at a Lupu Negru concert the day before and it rocked so I might got it wrong.