Tour de Tysons

[Rockford10]

So, the 9-12 juniors races, are those “competitive”? Like, would my 11 year old look out of place on his mother’s old Mongoose hybrid? He’s interested in the race, and he’s got some legs, but he doesn’t have the right bike and I worry it’s not quite his style. In addition, I’m not interested in any trips to the ER.

[MattAune]

@Rockford10 88442 wrote:

So, the 9-12 juniors races, are those “competitive”? Like, would my 11 year old look out of place on his mother’s old Mongoose hybrid? He’s interested in the race, and he’s got some legs, but he doesn’t have the right bike and I worry it’s not quite his style. In addition, I’m not interested in any trips to the ER.

For the most part yes, the 9-12 race will be full of kids on road bikes wearing team kit. But there are always a few kids who are are there as their first race on a hybrid or mountain bike. It is usually a small field and I am sure he would be fine safety wise. It is USAC sanctioned and you would have to purchase a one-day license ($15) in addition to the entry fee.

[dkel]

@MattAune 88493 wrote:

For the most part yes, the 9-12 race will be full of kids on road bikes wearing team kit. But there are always a few kids who are are there as their first race on a hybrid or mountain bike. It is usually a small field and I am sure he would be fine safety wise. It is USAC sanctioned and you would have to purchase a one-day license ($15) in addition to the entry fee.

Pretty sure that would be considered “off-putting” by my son. He’s a little like his father in that regard: bunch of 9-12 year-olds in team kit? Yeesh! 😮

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dkel 88496 wrote:

Pretty sure that would be considered “off-putting” by my son. He’s a little like his father in that regard: bunch of 9-12 year-olds in team kit? Yeesh! 😮

Then his goal should be shame and destroy the budding roadies.

[cyclingfool]

@dkel 88496 wrote:

Pretty sure that would be considered “off-putting” by my son. He’s a little like his father in that regard: bunch of 9-12 year-olds in team kit? Yeesh! 😮

I understand that sentiment. And for the record, I own no kit and wear cotton t-shirts for my riding 99% of the time when it’s not winter/wool weather. :rolleyes:

That said, is this much different than a bunch of little leaguers wearing appropriate gear and perhaps some pro team’s logo? Or Pop Warner kids wearing pads and football uniforms? It’s a sport/physical activity, and to do it competitively sometimes means wearing certain types of clothing.

[culimerc]

@dkel 88496 wrote:

Pretty sure that would be considered “off-putting” by my son. He’s a little like his father in that regard: bunch of 9-12 year-olds in team kit? Yeesh! 😮

Ya’ gotta jump in at some point and its only gonna get worse, so you might as well give it a shot now.

[dkel]

@cyclingfool 88561 wrote:

That said, is this much different than a bunch of little leaguers wearing appropriate gear and perhaps some pro team’s logo?

In the best sense, no it’s not any different. Then again, some of the worst cyclist behavior and/or attitude can come from the ELITE set (though I really hope that doesn’t extend to kids). Also, some of the worst comes from people without kit on clunky hybrids (i.e. looking just like my son does), so I should probably just quit while I’m ahead.

[VikingMariner]

Disappointing vendor turnout. Maybe next year will be better.

[MattAune]

@VikingMariner 89258 wrote:

Disappointing vendor turnout. Maybe next year will be better.

How so? If you would like elaborate a little I will gladly see what we can do to make it better next year.

[Vicegrip]

@dkel 88587 wrote:

In the best sense, no it’s not any different. Then again, some of the worst cyclist behavior and/or attitude can come from the ELITE set (though I really hope that doesn’t extend to kids). Also, some of the worst comes from people without kit on clunky hybrids (i.e. looking just like my son does), so I should probably just quit while I’m ahead.

My girl is 10 and is about the kit. She and her brother, who will ride in whatever he happens to be wearing when a ride comes up, are also all about good road and MUP skills and safety. Like you I see poor skills from all style of dress

I digress. Was bummed out that the days events keeps us from coming and watching. I suspect my son will be in the 9 to 12 group at some point. In kit perhaps but I would bet not shaving his legs.

[culimerc]

@MattAune 89267 wrote:

How so? If you would like elaborate a little I will gladly see what we can do to make it better next year.

I would like to see more beer vendors

[hozn]

I would suggest that mountain bike racing is generally going to be a lower-key entry to bike racing. I didn’t stick around for that race, but would definitely expect the 9-12 crowd to be in team kit (and racing for teams — like NCVC) and riding road bikes. Road racing is an “all-in” proposition.

[dkel]

I wasn’t there to see the 9-12 race, but Rockford10 saw it and tells me it was pretty great to see all the kids out and having a ball; the interaction between the kids was particularly classic, I’m told. I imagine my son would have felt a little out of place and/or underprepared for the race, though, had he joined in as a complete newbie. How does one break into this sport, anyway? Just sign up for a league?

[hozn]

You could go do Wednesdays at Wakefield – I think this Weds (last one?). If/when my son wants to start racing, I will encourage starting with MTB. Learning to handle the bike is great and dirt hurts less than pavement (or at least speeds are much slower).

[MattAune]

We (NCVC) have a juniors squad that welcomes all abilities. We have 2-4 practices a week during road season, and 2 practices a week for cyclocross. There is always at least one coach, usually 2, and a few parents who are also racers at each practice to help. We work on riding in a pack, pace lines, and cornering with all the kids. The older kids will sometimes work on attacks, bridging attacks and sprinting.

For kids new to the sport I seriously recommend cyclocross. CX practices are usually at bluemont park and williamsburg middle school.

[Author]

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