Every summer, as the sun breaks through the morning mist over Aarle-Rixtel, the quiet Dutch village begins to hum—not with tractors or town chatter, but with the rattle of BMX chains, the thump of portable speakers, and the buzz of excitement rising from the legendary Sugar Hills Trails.
It’s FATJAM day.
Since 1988, FATJAM has been more than just a jam—it’s been a tradition, a gathering, a defiant celebration of BMX culture rooted deep in the sand and soul of Aarle-Rixtel, the Netherlands. What started over three decades ago as a grassroots session among friends has become one of the longest-running, most beloved dirt jams in the world.
The rules have always been simple: no entry fee, no egos, just ride.
On the day of the jam, the Sugar Hills—a carefully crafted network of dirt jumps tucked into a patch of green at the Valkendijk—come alive. Riders of all ages and skill levels descend from every direction, from neighboring villages to riders from across the border. Vans line the nearby streets. Barbecues fire up. Dogs bark. Kids pedal around wide-eyed, dodging tailwhips and high-fives. There are no grandstands, no fences, no wristbands—just a shared love for BMX and the freedom they bring.
Throughout the day, the trails evolve into a rolling wave of motion. Locals carve the berms like it’s their
BMX-fans konden zaterdag 25 maart hun hart weer ophalen op de Sugar Hills Trails aan de Valkendijk in Aarle-Rixtel. Sinds 1990 vindt hier jaarlijks de opening van het buitenseizoen plaats; de BMX Mini Fatjam.
Follow Dutch BMX rider Tom van den Bogaard on his heavy journey to be the first person to land the World’s First '360 Quadrupple Downside tailwhip'.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.