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CI recommendations on Road Racing ..

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    #32
    Macy0161
    Registered Users Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122288784#Comment_122288784

    Not defending the behaviour, but the iirc the gearing requirements are supposed to be to protect young riders (from pushing too hard a gear) rather than to prevent a competitive advantage. Still don't think it should've mattered that much in the circumstances.



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    #33
    zindicato
    Registered Users Posts: 428 ✭✭zindicato


    MY kids started the same way as yours old 2nd hand flat bars while racing kids in road bikes then moved on to islabikes then wiggins, they were barely able to keep up in the beginning, they were the slowest of the bunch, but slowly they improved once they got older they started road racing somedays they are OK some days they get pulled off road races as they got lapped by other kids on nicer bikes, but one thing that's different is that we continued with it, encouraged them, we kept going to Sunday training, races in Corkagh, ice cream spins sure there was lots of crying, frustration in the beginning for em as they felt inferior, intimidated by as you've said some fancypants kids on carbon bikes but cycling is a sport that you'll get results only with consistency in training and participating.

    The gearing and roll outs also got me in the beginning.

    I coached youth riders from our club when my kids were at U8s till U12 and I always mention to parents to temper their kids expectation when they first join training sessions or races to minimise frustrating them.

    Just because he can go on a spin with you for 20 kms around where you live or in the park and he looks fast doesn't mean that he will be OK on his first road race or traing session

    that boy who dropped everybody during your sons race had probably put hundreds of hours training and started training earlier than your son, sure he looked strong but trust me he himself got dropped lots of times too and there are other boys around the country that are stronger than him but all of them kids continue to race no matter what the result they get , you also missed some things that are good with the youth cycling community, it is the willingness of parents from different clubs to help each each pre, during or post race days.

    In most races eveybody will cheer and encourage everybody on any race, the kids themselves make a lot of friends around the country , you'll see the last kids to finish and the strong kids hang out before and after races ,more often the kids get over their results quicker than the adults.

    If you can encourage him again to cycle, join a club near you if they have a youth section.

    Nearly 3 quarters of our club youths don't do road races at all they just like the training sessions and the leisure spins.

    Some of them have branched out to mtb and cx races only

    If you have any questions just ask as there are a few of us parents in here who have kids currently in clubs that are racing or who have previously raced.

    Post edited by zindicato on


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    #34
    eeeee
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,844 Mod ✭✭✭✭eeeee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122288784#Comment_122288784

    I get the gearing restriction, that's there to protect kids but it can be really expensive. Those cassettes are hard to get and pricey.

    I don't get the point of races at any level bar u16. Especially national's. It should be fun - participation races as Cram said they do in Wexford till u16 and take it seriously then. There's research to support a lack of specialisation till then.

    There's a big disparity in kit and training and it just doesn't look fun, and locks out a lot of kids who might enjoy a more fun day. I think a youth festival once a year after provincial, fun participation races is a better idea than nationals for kids. I find road cycling boring, I can't imagine how boring it would be for a 12 year old! CX, bmx, off road, track I think are better fits for kids for smiles to miles, and they're building savage skills at the same time.

    If kids are into it that's great, and they can improve a lot over time as the other poster said, but it's a bit too serious at the moment the rr- ing imo



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    #35
    Macy0161
    Registered Users Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    Still saying it could've been handled better, but they did try to sort out an alternative bike option so that they could allow them to start. Could've been a flat "no". Judging by the bikes I see children on MTB-ing, while it does seem more inclusive of abilities, it doesn't necessarily look a cheap entry. However, mine never really took to MTB at all, and always preferred the road (albeit never had any interest in racing).



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