The 25th edition of the FATJAM. Never been this busy! Text by BdJ. Pics by Jos Wissink.

Aug 15, 2013

Written by Bart de Jong

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When Paul and I first started the FATJAM in 1987, it was a street jam at the old rollerskating rink that had asphalt that was rougher than the roughest sandpaper you can find. We brought a car, pallets, some ramps, a sheet of plywood that was converted into a wallride and an old fridge that somebody needed to get rid of. It's basically what would work today as street riding has picked up over the last few years. But we did that back 25 years ago. When the local council got rid of the rollerskating rink and gave us a field with

some dirt, the location of the jam changed, and it turned into a dirt jam. From 1990 onwards we've had the FATJAM on the Sugar Hills. This year was the 25th edition*.

The automatic pilot was started weeks before the big day, but the automatic pilot also gets distracted. Things don't work out as planned or get changed and last minute changes need to be made.

Improvising is key but we're pretty good at that. It is important to have a good crew of people who are willing to help out. The locals (Teun, Tom, Dennis especially) made sure the Sugar Hills got fixed up for the big day. Masterchef Frits van der Linden handled the BBQ. The MCD cooled the beers. Family Sloots provided the power. 4 DJ's took care of the tunes. Red Bull brought the sound and drinks.

Vans sent over a box of goodies to give to the riders during the only "official moment" of the FATJAM where people just ride and Paul gets on the microphone and tells them what he wants to see. In return they get a goodie until the box is empty. The Ambulance Event Service showed up once again to take care of whoever that needed medical attention. Luckily not a lot of band-aids were needed but it's always good to have them present. Michael van der Lee welded up a high bike for fun and it saw some action on the field and on the streets. Alex Vliege put up the Nitro Circus posters. OJA provided a sound set so the Black Bullets could play live at the Sugar Hills. Road signs were made and put up and people helped out getting the banners and tents down and then cleaned up.

The automatic pilot also meant we had to get the flyers printed and picked up which is always a challenge getting it done in time. This year the Bob Haro designed shirts were done on Friday afternoon before Saturday's event. Pre promotion started early and the weekly newspapers were contacted with a press release. Same with the online BMX media and then there was the social media which needs attention. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all that good stuff. It's not hard, but somebody has to do it.

But then the moment is there when people start rolling in. It's time to catch up and it's time for the riders to check out the Sugar Hills trails and make the best out of it. From the start the riders had to line up to get a run in. It was packed with solid riders, and a lot of kids. Both had to share and each had their own lines they could attack. It's a miracle that not more collisions were made with this many riders present. Thanks to everyone for wearing a helmet too. Being well protected helps.

On the other side of the fence people were chilling. A lot of people were chilling! I can't remember having this many chillers at the FATJAM. The free BBQ, free booze, Red Bull and water sure had something to do with it. Free entrance and no registration fee, it all worked out well. And did I mention that the weather was perfect?

Putting on a jam is easy, but it

requiers time, connections and dedication. To see it unfold like this year's edition is what gives you the energy to keep going. 25 editions down. How many to go?

BdJ

*No FATJAM in 1997. Paul put on The World's in Eindhoven that year.