Andrew Jackson has spent his life on two wheels, first as a motocross racer, then as a BMX rider before a series of injuries in each sport led him to rethink his specific riding discipline. Of course, a change of direction is no big problem for an athlete like Andrew, whose current path is carrying him through the fast-paced world of gravel and road racing. We spoke with Andrew to welcome him as out newest fizik ambassador and to learn a bit more about his exciting, ever-changing journey.
It’s always been two wheels for you. What first led you there?
Since before I can remember. I brought a motorcycle to show-and-tell at school when I was five. I assume my parents led me to it, but they say I just loved it.
How did growing up in L.A. influence that journey?
My time was split when I was a kid between motorcycles, when I’d go to my dad’s in the country, and BMX bikes, when I’d be in the LA, until I was around 13. I think it was more me just loving to ride wherever I was when I was really young. Then later, riding the streets on my BMX definitely shaped my style, I think.
Tell us about the accident. Was there any point where you didn’t think you’d get back on the bike?
Man, I was riding with my friend Gabe Brooks (RIP). I 180’d off this ledge, and my foot slipped off, and the pedal just smashed my knee and bent it the wrong way. I tore my MCL, PCL, LCL, ACL, Meniscus and broke the tip off my femur. Basically, my knee was destroyed. The doctor told me there was no way I was riding bikes professionally anymore and hoped I would just be able to walk without a limp. I didn’t ever believe that, but it wasn’t looking good for a couple years, haha.
What do your scars mean to you; what have they taught you?
Reminders to not make those mistakes. It sounds harsh, but that’s being honest.
How does major setback better prepare you for comparably minor challenges?
This goes really far into who I am as a person. I’ve been an athlete since I was young, and when you put everything into your sport, it becomes your identity. Your friends, your days revolve around it, everything. So, it has made me reinvent myself multiple times. When I was younger, I was on the way to being a professional motorcycle racer. That dream was taken away when I ruptured my kidney. Then I rebuilt myself and became a professional BMX rider. That was my life for 10 years until the knee injury. Now I’m doing it again in road and gravel. It’s tough to keep doing it, but I think I’m much happier when I’m pushing for something.
None of what you’ve accomplished happens without incredible determination. What motivates you to keep moving forward, regardless of riding discipline?
I think I’ve realized pushing myself and learning is where I’m happy. I don’t mean that to say I have it all figured out, by any means. I’ve questioned things and taken big chunks of time off. Road/Gravel racing has been a long road to build my body into being an endurance athlete from my other sports which were more technical and strength based. Every time I want to give up or do this recreationally as a just hobby, I’m left with this question of “what if?”. I just want to see where I can take it and where my peak is, and that’s what I wake up in the morning excited about.
How much of your BMX experience do you bring to your new gravel/cycling world?
A ton. Mainly, it helps picking up advice and applying it because I have the experience already. The sport is new, but the formula is the same: Work your ass off, haha. It’s just figuring out where to focus the energy. The style aspect is huge in BMX, so that’s big, too. And of course, bike handling and just being comfortable. Who knows how many hours I’ve spent on a bike over the years.
Is there anything you miss about your more adrenaline-fueled pursuits? Does gravel cycling scratch that itch?
Honestly, no. For BMX, I was a pro for ten years and got to travel all over the world with all the best riders. I kind of knew what was possible on a bmx bike and had seen so many amazing riders that nothing really surprised me anymore, especially with street riding. It’s hard to explain. I would get more excited about a little kid jumping his first jump than the newest gnarly trick or video part just because I knew the sport so well. With Gravel/Road, everything is new for me. I ride with people like Lucasz Wisniowski or Justin Williams, and I get so excited because they do things I didn’t know were possible. Like Lucasz just pedaling super hard all day long casually or Justin showing me you can still sprint 1800 watts when your legs are burning and you thought there was nothing left. Just seeing the way the good guys ride and pedal. I can’t do all those things yet, but it excites me to try and figure it out.
What does road/gravel cycling give you that motocross/BMX didn’t?
I think they are all really similar. They give me an outlet to push myself and learn.
How do the communities differ between disciplines (MX, BMX, Gravel)?
All three are so different. The level I was at in motocross, even though I wasn’t pro, was closer to what I imagine world tour cycling is like. I rode for Kawasaki, and we had team buses and full mechanics, three to four bikes, and everything at nationals, very serious. BMX is the complete opposite of both. Just grimey kids traveling the world and making it work, but the talent level is the same. Gravel seems somewhere in between the two. It’s a little uptight sometimes, but we are trying to change that, haha.
What advice would you offer to others working to come back after their own time off the bike? How about those entering the sport for the first time?
I definitely have plenty of experience here. I think, just focus on having fun and loving what you’re doing first. So many people get caught up in “training” and miss all the fun stuff about riding a bike. I’m mind blown when people fly up hills just to creep back down because they think descending is unsafe. Also mix it up. Dirt’s not your thing? Try dirt. Climbing isn’t your thing? Try climbing. To me that’s what makes it fun. It gets hard later, but in the beginning, it’s so easy to make giant improvements all over the place.
What’s next?
Who knows, at this point. I never even thought I’d make it this far, and that’s being honest. I’m just going day by day and seeing where I can take it from here.
Words by Andrew Jackson
Photo – Rebelvandal ; Andrew Jackson
