What a wonderful day: Mini FATJAM 2016!

Apr 06, 2016

Written by Bart de Jong

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A stress free day of BMX is what everyone can use. It's what they got at the 2016 edition of the Mini FATJAM in Aarle-Rixtel. This time of the year it's a bit of 'wait and see' what kind of weather you get in early April but we got the hottest and best day of the year. Lucky? Maybe yes, but you get what you deserve is what some say. All goofiness aside, once again a whole bunch of BMX riders showed up at the Sugar Hills in Aarle-Rixtel. The message had come across that it was going to be a good day full of riding the dirt spot and going home with a prize or two donated by our sponsors. With the Ambulance Event Service around the riders had no need to hold back. The medical unit was set up nearby while DJ Charm was playing old school hip hop tunes for most of the afternoon from the Red Bull Sound car. And the riders? They just rode, and rode, and crashed, and got up, and rode and pulled off a new line, did a new trick and picked up another goodie during the 30 minute session in the -13 or 13+ class.

People who have been to one of these jams before know that it's a

chill day. Bring your booze, bring your bike, and set your own program for the afternoon between 13:00hr and 18:00hr. You can even show up late, or not ride at all. No one cares, you are the boss. And time went by fast, and usually that's because you're having a good time. At 16:00hr it was time for a little session to hand out the many goodies we received from our many generous sponsors. Paul got on the microphone and handled the -13 and 13+ classes with lots of jokes. The smiles on the faces told the story. Riding BMX together is the best. The kids just did their thing and had a blast. No parent yelled at them to 'pedal faster', no coach was pointing fingers. The riders of the future handled everything themselves perfectly. Respect for eachother, giving pointers, and doing trains.

The 13 years and over group wasn't out there to impress either. Everyone had their own level and picked their own jumps. BMX the way it should be. And in the meantime they picked up a pair of 100% gloves, or a Federal T-shirt, HARO hoodie or a pair of BSD grips. It almost felt like Christmas with Paul being Santa Claus. And in the meantime everyone was catching up with everyone, the music was playing and the Wing girls were handing out drinks. The kids were selling FAT 'shirts for €5,= with all proceeds going to the first aid dudes that did have to stick a band-aid here and there and handle one concussion. It was good to see by the way that so many riders wore helmets.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for showing up, also the street riders who stuck around for a while before, well, they got back to hitting the streets. Another Mini FATJAM edition in the books. Summer session planned for 20 August.

BdJ