Since last summer there has been a huge interest in cycling. Our own club Lee valley youth cc has seen numbers increase with lots of new budding young cyclists which is great. Brad Wiggins, Mark Cavendish have become household names that we all know, it was the dream come true for British Cycling, words like legacy the future stars and inspire a generation are still ringing in my head!!
Riders line up at Gravesends cyclo park for the youth racing 2013
Up and down the country youth races are taking place, this has been going on for years I know but the numbers have gone through the roof since the summer even when the weather is poor riders turn out in there droves to race.
It would appear that some clubs and organizers are having trouble looking after the sheer numbers of riders and results. (big queues for bike check results incorrect)
I’m by no means an expert in judging races or in fact organising them. However looking from the outside in technology has got to play a bigger part in the results process.
It’s not big prize money nor is it’s how did the winner did blinding fast laps.
Its just every kid racing deserves to have the correct result posted on the club website or British Cycling site.
I’m not sure how many cycling centers there are in the UK, but surely British cycling could put some investment into race chip technology once establish they could even have a local or national sponsors to keep them maintained.
Its not only youths that would benefit but clubs hosting racing events could relax a little and enjoy the racing and hopefully get the correct result posted.
I for one would rather see the correct result for say fifty pence or a pound. Than explain to my 10 year old kid who slogged his guts out in a race to be put in last place when he clearly was in the top group of finishers. Sorry but the commissaire decision is final does not wash with a kid who has put there heart and sole into a race. Dad are you Serious!!
Would they say that to Brad or any of the other pros who may need a point to qualify no way would they. British cycling and team GB have inspired a generation now they need to maintain this generation.
People say its the cost of the kit? What really in this day and age surely not. I know money is tight but this kit would be used week in week out by youths and adults alike.
The cycling bubble is big we all know that, just look at the sign up rate for the ride London event we have the tour starting here next year. The kids are our future let’s not let them down with poorly run events.
My own thoughts are that more youth Go ride events need to be set up to give opportunities to those who want to race at any age limit, and they can do so safe in the knowledge that they are not going ride against kids who are top in there age groups locally or nationally.
The need for clubs to sign off riders who have suitable skills to race, with bigger numbers at the race events now this is now essential for the safety. This would aid those who want race for 1st time against more seasoned riders to at-least have half a clue whats going one. Mixed category races need to be carefully managed the under 8s can and do have kids as young as 5 on the start line riding with under 12s who are in fact quite quick in race mode. On the other side you have the under 12s in with the 14s and 16s which can be demanding to race for 40 minutes.
Just last weekend I saw with my own eyes boys rocking up with bikes which grown men would drawl over!! I wasn’t at the gear check but I bet your bottom dollar they had standard gear setups. One boy pulled out of the race only to stand on the track were other riders were about to pass and clearly by his conversation he had not raced before, is this fair to him and others?
A question how does British cycling maintain and develop its future?
I feel that I needed to get my own thoughts across on this challenge for all of us that love youth racing.
essexboyroadracer 
Well put and I have to agree at grass roots level organisation can be hit and miss as clubs put on race days with voluntary helpers i.e. nan and grandad.
Everyone predicted a boom in sports after the Olympics and it was obvious a lot of kids would choose cycling over dressage as most have some form of bike and not a horse in the shed
Anyway, I would also say that visual counting of racers has to go the way of the dodo due to human error. Because only the top three finisher get any points it’s obvious that each point is hard won in a large field. Also, young riders who do not figure at the sharp end also need a yard stick so as to gauge their own improvement even if they place 10th.
And yes we all like a yummy mummy on the sidelines, but when hard racers are passing six year old Tarquin for a sprint finish while mum (hopefully jumping up and down) is clapping her little angel is a recipe for a disaster.