E.Kytola
Mike,
My understanding is that the trails at mountain bike races are not closed for the race. There by allowing a non-racing individual to be on the same trail at the same time as the race. True?
Eric
Sent from my iPhone
> On Mar 21, 2014, at 6:58 PM, "Mike Murray" wrote:
>
> Speaking as the parent of 3 adult children, only one of which has any marginal regular physical activity despite having grown up at bike racing and skiing, I really think it is best to wait until your kid is begging to do something … and then wait a bit longer. When they actually do something make sure it is their thing and not your thing. That distinction is tremendously hard to make. Realistically if you want your kid to be an elite level bike racers or even if you want your kid to just be a lifelong bike racer you can wait until they are in their teens and have already sampled lots of other sports. Be really wary of pushing things too early.
>
> Mike Murray
>
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Steve Westberg
> Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 09:54
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Junior mtn bike racing question ?
>
> Agree with all of what Mark is saying. My son started racing MTB at 9. Please, please, please do not do what one poster did and send your child out by themselves if they cannot take care of themselves for most things - unless you know for sure that there is a sweep rider available to help. Before my son was allowed to race by himself he had to prove that he could fix a flat (and carry the tools to do it) and fix basic mechanical issues. As a parent I feel you are being irresponsible if you send your child out and expect the other riders in the field to take care of him or her for you. Only marginally better is if you know there is a sweep and have the sweep rider babysit for you if your child is unable to take care of themselves. The sweep is there to make sure people are safe and to provide assistance (medical and otherwise) and if your child cannot keep a decent pace and/or do basic things to take care of themselves you are taking the sweep away from what they are supposed to be doing.
>
> I have ridden sweep for a lot of different MTB races. Every one (except for HC100) I end up fixing kids bikes (shifters, seat height, flats, chains - you name it) because the parents are racing for themselves and don't really think about the experience of their child. "Someone will take care of them" is I believe the general thought. I hug them when they cry, I encourage them and tell them they can do it - but at the end of the day as a parent encouraging your child to start racing shouldn't you be responsible and take accountability for the racing experience instead of pawning it off on a sweep rider or "someone" in the field?
>
> Rant almost done - here is an example. One year there was a 10 year-old that quickly got dropped off the back. I stayed back and watched for a while and he was really struggling. So I rode up behind him and asked him if he was OK. Answer - no, my bike won't shift (crying). So...we stopped and I fixed his shifting. So we rode along and as we talked I figured out the farthest he had ridden at one time was 4-5 miles around town and now he was facing 13-14 miles on trails. His chain came off a few times so I showed him an easy way to get it back on. His tires were bald and he flatted so I walked him though swapping a tube and used one of my Slime tubes so it wouldn't happen again (he had no tube, tools - nothing). Then it was taking so long he ran out of water - so I gave him one of my water bottles. He started to bonk so I gave him some of my food. Did he finish? Heck ya he did - he was a real trooper. I kept asking him is he was OK to keep going and he said as long as I would stay with him he was going to finish.
>
> What would have happened without a sweep....would he even want to do another race?
>
> Steve Westberg
>
> >Funny comments aside for a minute.
> >
> >I know of several parents (including me) that have followed their
> >youngster around XC courses. There seems to be no consistent protocol,
> >but there are several things that alleviate issues.
> >
> >- Make sure the race organizer knows in advance what you are doing and is
> >okay with it.
> >- If you are not "racing" at the same time, don't cross the start or
> >finish line. Don't have your own race numbers on when you are shadowing
> >them.
> >- Stay out of the way of other racers. You'll probably be at the very
> >back anyway, but just in case, make sure you aren't a hindrance to anyone
> >else.
> >- Hang back from your kid just enough that they know you are there, but
> >far enough back that they are racing on their own and you aren't telling
> >them what to do the whole race.
> >- If another little kid is out there on their own, you can kinda keep an
> >eye on them too. I've stopped and helped a youngster that was racing on
> >his own and lost his chain and couldn't get it back on.
> >
> >-Mark
>
> On 3/19/14 7:35 PM, "Marky mark" wrote:
>
> >So, my 10 yr old son wants to mtn bike race. He has lots of cross
> >experience, zero mtn bike racing experience. My question is are there
> >adults that follow the juniors on the circuits? Or do they race like we
> >do? Trying to determine if my mtn bike racing for the season will be me
> >following my son on the race course till he gets comfortable doing the
> >races on his own. Either way its a win/win for me ; I get to race and /or
> >my son starts to race. .
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