The Anti-Fragile BMX Racer
What word would you use to describe the opposite of the word fragile? You may come up with words like - strong, robust, and durable. Those words are not entirely correct.
I finally got around to reading (well actually listening) to the popular book, written back in 2012, Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder. I enjoyed it and you probably would too, but if you don't feel like reading/listening yourself, I'll save you about 16 hours of your life and sum it up in this article.
Dig on this for a second...
Something fragile will break quite easily. Us BMXers could probably imagine some super cheap carbon forks that could be considered "fragile". If you were to not clear a jump they could snap right off. A set of strong forks could be made stronger by using a better design, better materials, or by using more material. Although they will be stronger, they will NEVER be considered anti-fragile. Anti-fragile refers to the phenomenon where things get better when abused or challenged.
Anti-fragile bike parts would get stronger the more you came up short and landed hard. They would improve their ability to withstand stress by organically optimizing their structures to the challenges imposed. Unfortunately, no one is currently able to create a bike part that can improve from abuse.
Anti-fragility can only be achieved by living things and systems of operation. Human bone can improve density from the stress of jumping and jogging. Owning and operating businesses can be improved by studying failing business practices. Stress improves systems and biological creatures. Humans thrive under certain levels of imposed stress. Machinery such as belts, chains, and bearings will only wear out with stress over time.
So we cannot build a set of cranks that grow stronger with abuse. The process of designing and building those cranks can improve.
Anti-fragile BMX Racer
I think we have seen many examples of BMX racers that we would NOT consider to be Anti-fragile.
I was once interviewed on the Rail The Berm BMX podcast. We were chatting about bike setup and about how quirky us BMXers can be on things like bike setup. You know that feeling you get when you get into the gate, look down, and notice that your handlebars are not exactly in line with your front wheel?! OMG, they are 3 degrees off, I can't ride this thing!
That is NOT an example of an Anti-fragile BMX racer.
What happens when your tire blows out in staging and you have to jump on another bike seconds before your semi? Some thrive in these situations. Others just cannot perform under imperfect circumstances. What about when the first jump is situated where you have a difficult time pedaling right up to it? Or when the track is longer than normal? Or when you have a stacked moto? Or when there is a strong side wind.
Those are just some examples of situations where an anti-fragile BMXer excels while the fragile BMXer falls apart.
Anti-fragile Training Strategies
Many still think of BMX training as just sprints and lifting weights. If that’s you, it may be time to think a little outside the box. Here are a few suggestions to help you with developing yourself or your child into an Anti-Fragile BMX racer. One that is more mentally and physically adaptable than the other racers in the gate.
1. Ride a Hoopty!
Having a dialed bike is awesome. Nothing like pedaling a bike and not hearing squeaks, rattles, and creaking. Looking at the bars and having them right where you want them. Squeezing your tires and having them inflated to 97 psi, just how you like them.
Instead of having the need to always ride an absolutely perfect bike... what if you sabotaged yourself? Maybe try running your bars a little more “Chicago” style than you normally like. Maybe you could intentionally turn the bars a few degrees to the right or left. What if you traded bikes with your friend and tried to adapt as quickly as possible...
2. Become ambidextrous
Many of the great racers I have seen over the years can take any jump with either pedal forward. They are also just as good at carving a turn to the left as to the right. Many of us have a clear preference for which pedal needs to be forward. If that is you, continue reading.
Get out to the track and find a roller that you can start to practice pedaling over with both feet forward. Start slow and increase speed. Do the same on a small jump. Practice making your right-hand turns feel just as good as your left.
3. Listen and watch the lights
What if you travel halfway across the country to a national and they have the world’s worst speaker for the random cadence? You can barely hear it and it throws you off anytime a nearby BMX dad gets a little too excited for their racer. Chances are you will not be on top of your game that weekend.
What if instead, you could just adapt to less than ideal conditions and also start watching the lights?
Now get out and practice!
Most people won't take the time to get uncomfortable and practice their weaknesses. This is YOUR chance to become that Anti-Fragile BMXer! This is YOUR chance to separate yourself from the 7 other people in the gate. While everyone else is struggling to find confidence because of one weird obstacle... you thrive.