Hectic. Loud. Busy. Brilliant. Memorable. Rom Jam was everything. What better place to launch our new issue, #201.
A typically loose schedule meant that there was stuff popping off all over the park at all times. Spontaneous ridiculous sessions on whatever obstacle people found themselves at. When Ian Stokes announced that a ‘formal’ comp was going to happen, it happened, but other than that we just had hours and hours of entertaining BMX riding at one of the UK’s oldest and most treasured skateparks.
As expected, highlights came from the likes of Tom Russell, Jack Clark, Ash Finlay, Jonnie Hicks. One I didn’t expect was Jordan Clark… Pro scooter rider, maybe, but wow, that guy can ride a bike. Any trick you want.
The performance bowl saw things its builders never would have imagined. Jordan Clark’s flair drop in and double flair (seriously, in that thing) were pretty staggering. Jack Clark sending a 540 whip and pulling a 900 in there were huge, huge moments.
Talking of huge moments, Ash Finlay flipped over the pool. As you do. Isaac Lesser did a huge gap into the vert wall. And Darren Van Wyk sent the massive park exit over the fence. Watching him pedal down the hill as every human on the premises screamed for him to send it was pure, raging BMX. It doesn’t get better than that.
The younger riders had a jam early in the day, which was awesome to see. Several of those guys were queueing up for signatures from Jack, Jordan and Ash later in the day.
I was behind the stand for most of the day, selling copies of issue 201 and chatting to friends old and new. From my post I was able to take it all in… My conclusion? It was a bloody great day.
Photos: Adam Lievesley (unless credited) Words: Robin Pearson
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