clay161@juno.com

Thanks Geri - well said! My first experience on a tandem was piloting for kids at the Washington State School for the Blind. My first experience with an OBRA event was leading off the Vancouver Criterium with other Stokers and Pilot's representing the WSSB and the kids absolutely loved it!!!! It's actually rather simple - tandem riding/racing gives some kids and adults the opportunity of the thrill of racing/riding who may otherwise not get that opportunity along with something far too many take for granted; freedom!!! Hey, everytime we walk out our front door we are taking a risk - bringing and sharing "freedom" to others is what it's all about!!

Clay Sharp
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Geri Bossen

I have read a lot of discussion about the risk of youth stokers on tandems at races.

Even though I do not have any experience racing tandem, I personally logged over 8,000 miles on a tandem with my son from the time he was 5 years old until he was 12 years old. These miles were training and on CycleOregon riding in large packs at times. I observed numerous other kids on tandems on CycleOregon. Over the years I also observed 50 or more adult/child tandem teams at the NW tandem ralley.

My son never dropped his water bottle or caused any issue to other riders. In fact adult have commented numerous times about his ability to ride in close quarters. Ask Michael O'Hair about his first experience with Mikkel on a team ride.

The only time we ever crashed, in over 8,000 miles, was one time when I pulled over into gravel that was much deeper than anticipated and it stopped us faster than expected and I did not get my foot out fast enough.

Kids on tandems do not have to work any harder than they want to so there is not a risk of over working them. I have captained lots of kids on tandem, even the inexperienced kids really enjoyed riding. Kids let you know if they are "over training" or unhappy about riding.

I know race speed is faster than riding speed but I was in some really fast pace lines that were probably close to race experience.

I do not have vote but if I did, I would vote to allow youth stokers in OBRA races. I would vote this way based on my experience as a tandem rider, Mother and Grandmother of young bike racers, OBRA official and OBRA race promoter.

Geri Bossen

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