Todd.Dye@CH2M.com
Also remember that the way the rules are currently written, and now being enforced, doesn't just affect youth stokers in mass start road races. It means no youth stokers in TTs or MTB races either.
No matter how we cut it, an age line has to be drawn somewhere, and we'll never get everyone to agree about where that line is to be drawn. I'm not saying there is not risk involved with youth stokers in tandem races. As a matter of full disclosure, I've chosen not to race tandem yet with my 8 or 5 year old sons, as I don't feel either are ready to race those distances against adult/adult tandems. That is mostly from a competitiveness and "are my kids going to have fun" decision on my part, but there is an element of safety concern in there as well.
However, as a matter of perspective, the Rehearsal race had Junior age 10 -12 categories for both boys and girls. I'd be a lot more worried about my kids racing an open road course with traffic, hills, limited shoulders, other adult fields on course, etc... on a single bike once they turn 10, than I would be about having even my 5 year old race with me on the back of my tandem in a small field that tends to split apart. (NOTE: I'm not in any way advocating that 10-12 year old juniors shouldn't be allowed to race road courses).
But, road mass start races aside, I think we need to compare/contrast with the potential dangers of a time trial. I don't think there is suitable justification from a safety standpoint or otherwise for restricting youth stokers from time trials. But currently, the rules are written such that a 9 year old can't stoke on a tandem in a flat 15 mile TT (Eugene TTs for example), but at 1 year older is considered capable of riding solo on an open road course for 16 miles with hills, traffic, limited shoulders, other adult fields, dogs etc...., and starting with (but scored separate from) the other Juniors up to age 18. I see that as an inconsistency.
I don't want to put the cart before the horse, but if the proposed rule change doesn't pass to allow youth stokers in all tandem events, then I think we need to reconsider and propose an exception for youth stokers in Time Trials at least. I'd be more than happy to make or be involved with that proposal if the need arises.