Since 1990, the annual Spring BMX Jam has taken place in Aarle-Rixtel around the turn of March and April. The Mini FATJAM is an outdoor event, so it's always a bit dependent on the weather—but on Saturday, April 5th, we couldn’t have asked for a better day. Under clear blue skies and sunshine, the Sugar Hills Trails came alive once again with non-stop BMX action. Riders of all ages shredded the public BMX dirt jumps at the Valkendijk, while the crowd soaked up the good vibes and enjoyed a show packed with flips, tricks, and crashes. The younger riders, especially, were all over the trails—they just couldn't get enough. This year’s edition also marked the 30-year anniversary of Paul’s Boutique BMX, a local shop with international respect and deep roots in the BMX community, much like the FATJAM itself.
The vibe was strong, and the turnout of young riders showed that the future of BMX is looking bright. There was no shortage of talent on display, with several riders under the age of 12 even sending it over the big “Killer Jump”—a crowd favorite.
As the BBQ fired was fired up, the group photo was taken, at 4 PM, the legendary prize toss kicked off, giving everyone a shot at grabbing some goodies provided by the sponsors of the event. The riders pushed even harder to land something cool, and true to FATJAM tradition, nobody went home empty-handed.
The day wrapped up in style with an afterparty at OJA where it didn't take long before the pit opened
Back in 1990 the Sugar Hills came to life. It's also when we started the Mini FATJAM. That's 35 years ago and the annual jam is going stronger than ever. The trails are prepared and offer something for everyone. 5 year olds join the dirt session with the veterans and everyone in between. If you are looking for a challenge, the KILLER JUMP is there. So get loose and send it on that big thing.
This year's edition is special as we are celebrating Paul's Boutique BMX's 30 years anniversary. Good chance we will have some beers and burgers, so join in even if riding dirt is not in the cards this time. The Mini FATJAM is about getting together for a good time anyway. For some that's riding all day, for others it's chilling, shooting the shit and drinking brewski's.
The dirt jam at the Sugar Hills Trails starts at 13:00hr and will end around 18:00hr. and can be found at the Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands. Group picture: 15:30hr if you want to be in it. Goodies? Sure. Music? Of course. Extra activities? We will see....
The night will continue at OJA-Aarle-Rixtel for the official Mini FATJAM Afterparty (Schoolstraat 2, Aarle-Rixtel). Free entry, cheap beer. Pretty unique these days.
The 2025 Mini FATJAM is supported by:
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
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.