BMX is fun. At least it should be. If you are up for a good time, try this summer's FATJAM in Aarle-Rixtel. Date? Saturday 26 August 2023 at the infamous Sugar Hills Trails at the Valkendijk. Same shit, different year, but get ready for Bikes, Beers and more beers. With a bit of luck we'll add that BBQ again (update; masterchef Fritskemaat is hospitalized and will not be grilling) so after that BMX session it's time to hang out with the posse to shoot the shit.
Bring your own drinks. Bring your own chair. Bring your own bike. Getting together is half the reason we're throwing the jam, even after all these years.
The evening will continue at OJA, as usual. Schoolstraat 2, Aarle-Rixtel. More (cheap) beer and hanging out. Add live music by Punk Band The Burlers, fussball and hammering nails on that wooden trunk. If you've been there before, you know. If you haven't, your life is not complete until you've visited the FATJAM and OJA in Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands.
-Admission: Free
-Registration: None
-Parking: Free
-Riding: Gratis
FATJAM 2023: Saturday 26 August 2023. Dirt session: 13h30 - 19h00
The FATJAM facts:
When: Saturday 3 September 13:00hr - 18:00hr
Where: Sugar Hills Trails, Valkendijk, Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands
Who: Anyone with a BMX Bike, people who like a BBQ & BMX, 1982 EK Beek en Donk members
What: BMX Dirt jam with plenty of opportunity to hang out and catch up with everyone
Why: To keep the FATJAM streak going since 1987. 35 years and counting, the world's longest running annual BMX event.
The 2022 edition will be special because it will bring people together who were part of the 1982 European BMX Championships in Beek en Donk. That event changed BMX races forever with the grandstands, show program and international racing for the Open European BMX titles. It's time to catch up and enjoy the BBQ, music and current BMX riding at the Sugar Hills trails. Bring a chair if you want to sit. Bring drinks if you want to drink. Bring your BMX bike if you want to ride.
-Free entrance
-Free parking
-Free participation
Aarle-Rixtel - Na twee jaar wachten kon vandaag het BMX-geweld weer losbarsten op de hoek van de Buizerdstraat/Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel. Daar vond de 31ste editie van de FATJAM plaats.
You get what you deserve. That's what I usually say when the weather turns out great at an event. The beginning of the 2nd national heatwave of the year started on Saturday 24 August when BMX-ers got together for the 31st edition of the FATJAM. The heat also brought the problem of making it tough to keep the trails in good condition. Water was needed badly but wasn't around so sweeping the dust was practically the only thing that could be done. Regardless, riders used the trails all day long in a non-stop train. Several lines were discovered and conquered and also the rollers saw plenty of action all day long by the youngsters who keep on coming back for each edition of the FATJAM to win one of the many goodies and prizes that are donated by our sponsors again and a again. A big thank you goes to TSG, TallOrder, FIST, BSD, Vans, OJA, Gemeente Laarbeek, Federal, and Red Bull for their support
While the Sugar Hills Trails got abused, plenty of chilling and catching up was done on the field next to the dirt spot. Tents and the trees provided the well needed shade while Masterchef Frits handled the burgers on the BBQ. Cool boxes full of adult beverages were brought in and what better way to crack a few the people you like to hang out with. Unfortunately the planned swimming pool never happened but OJA did donate a brand new bike to a new shredder at the FATJAM once again. The young winner didn't know how to act but sure was stoked on getting a free BMX bike after watching everyone ride the trails.
Vans TM Andy Zeiss grabbed the mic at the end of the session to announce Tom van den Bogaard's
And there it was, the last FATJAM. Many of you didn't want to pass up the opportunity to witness the annual jam in Aarle-Rixtel. For some it was a walk into memory lane, others have shown up year after year. It didn't matter what the reason was, you guys were there and that was much appreciated. With the same concept as previous years, the 30th edition did bring something new; the Rodeo Bull provided by OJA, one that could be manned ourselves. Next to that the Sugar Hills trails were in good shape (considering) and were used all day long. It took a while before the Killer Jump got used but the ones with No Fear were brave enough the work with the soft landing. 040BMXPARK brought the Big Air Bag for everyone to work on some new tricks. Even the smallest riders took all the speed they could from the street to send themselves on the soft mattrass. Masterchef Frits van der Linden and partner in crime Robin de Put manned the BBQ until the 150 delicious Beckers Burgers were all gone. In the meantime the locals had brought their coolers full of Bavaria and found themselves a spot at the FATJAM to shoot the shit and have a good time while the riders got to ride the Sugar Hills all day until they had enough.
At 16:00hr Paul got on the microphone to hand out the goodies that were provided by our sponsors Vans, Paul's Boutique, Beckers, Fist and OJA. OJA even provided a complete bike that went a young visitor named Yvo from New Zealand who had no bike to ride. He even picked up some matching FIST gloves to go with the bike. All he wanted were a few stickers. Then he got home with a new bike.
All good things have to come to an end. The 30th edition of the FATJAM will be the last one. If you've always wanted to pay a visit to the infamous FATJAM in August on the Sugar Hills in Aarle-Rixtel, make sure to make this one count. A day full of "Bikes, Beers & Bitches" is planned for Saturday 18 August which will kick off with the Dirt Jam at the traditional Sugar Hills. Highlight will be the jam for goodies at 16:00hr. We would like to thank our sponsors for their support in making this happen. Riders will go home with something if they manage to do what we want to see. It's all in good fun and a session you don't want to miss. Remember, we've got the one and only "Killer Jump" at the Sugar Hills that needs to see some action. The session starts at 13:00hr, is free, and will last till 18:00hr.
In all the years of doing the FATJAM afterparty at OJA we can't recall ever doing a BMX award show. Since the year was young it was time for the 2017 Cups to be handed out on Saturday 1 April. Loads of people were nominated, but not everyone won. With Beckers supporting the award night with another 240 frikandellen, and cheap Bavaria beers from OJA, the vibe was good early on. A bit of improvising was needed to hand out all the cups but we got ourselves winners in multiple categories. And the winners are.....
1 Best BMX-drinker of 2017: Steven Görtemöller
2 Best Sugarhills volunteer of 2017: Dominique v/d Heijden
Back in 1990 we were surprised to get a dirt spot in Aarle-Rixtel. The elevated dirt oval received some shovel love right away and in April the first jam was held that turned into the Mini FATJAM. Transfer to 2017, 27 years later, and that spring jam is still alive. And guess what, the Sugar Hills trails haven't looked better over all those years. The rain has helped to fix the place up and the sun's out all week to finish it off. And yes, you're welcome to test the jumps and get a headstart on the others who are coming over on Saturday next week for the annual jam.
We've collected some prizes again, donated by our awesome sponsors, which will be going out around 15:00hr so for those who only ride dirt once a year, you've got 2 hours of practice because the jam starts at 13:00hr. Visitors who want to stop by Paul's Boutique on 1 April, Paul's shop is open from 11:00hr - 13:00hr only.
The dirt spot has something to offer for all ages and all skill levels. Even if you're not a frequent Dirt rider, you've got something to conquer in Aarle-Rixtel. We've got a small table/roller line and of course the Killer Jump for the big boys and everything in between. The two new starting platforms look absolutely fabulous and will get you ready to pull the entire outside line or the middle line as well. It's going to be good so don't miss out. It's free to ride, it's free for spectators. Free parking as well and you can bring your own food and drinks. No security either. The free spirit is alive on 1 April.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.