Mini FATJAM 2011

Apr 08, 2011

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 5167 times

Lucky, lucky, lucky. 23 degrees and sunny on 2 April. Who would have thought. We always put the Mini FAT JAM at the last weekend of March or first weekend of April and this time it was 2 April that we invited riders to come over to the Sugar Hills in Aarle-Rixtel for some good times.

We saw people with sunglasses, people with BBQ’s, people with tank tops (Mark Vos wasn’t there or he would have been shirtless all day long), which helped with the overall vibe of this year’s smaller version of the FAT JAM.

The jumps were challenging to say the least but at the end of the day making it through was an accomplishment for some. Others jumped “The Killer”, while loads of kids took their turn to make it through the doubles, table or roller line.

Everyone did what they wanted to do and for some it was just

drinking some booze on the field.

Big surprise was the presence of Case BMX magazine. Ollie and friend Tom decided to ride their motorcycles from England to the Mini FAT JAM, and no, they weren’t Goldwings. Paul hooked them up with a place to stay. They were knackered but what do you expect after riding the apehanger through the night to make it to Aarle-Rixtel in time. Respect.

Also thanks to everyone else who showed up when riding dirt isn’t their thing or knowing that the Sugar Hills aren’t the best trails in the world. Again, there was no pressure, everyone did what they wanted to do.

The Monster Energy truck showed up in time for everyone to refuel their energy because at 15:00hr Paul got on the megaphone to give out the prizes from Pro-Tec, Vans, Mirraco, Deluxe, and Monster. Paul had boxes full of product to give out and if you did something to his liking, you would go home with a new T-shirt, some grips, handlebars, key chain, another drink, stickers, helmet, hat or whatever else was in the box.

There was no easier way to win something and making people happy is fun. Thanks to all who donated prizes for this year’s jam.

Dennis “Schep” Keunen stepped it up on the Killer Jump. After working his way up from the foam pit onto the resi jump, Dennis took it to dirt with a turndown flip as well as a no-handed flip. Awesome to see how progression works. Time for 040 to permanently open its doors so more riders can progress like Dennis.

Daniel Wedemeijer threw in a 3-whip and 720 and is getting ready for the Telekom dirt comp in Duisburg. Bart Mol did some no-handed 3-s and whips and Dimitris went to the sky and back. Stijn Leijzer pulled some double whips so the announced “BMX Spectacle” in the local newspapers was lived up to for the irregular visitor.

The riding slowed down when people started getting a bite to eat, decided to hit up the local mini ramp and finally when the sun went down. It was time for a trip back home or getting ready for a night in OJA. But that’s an other story.

The scene is growing. More events are coming up. Support them.

BdJ