UCI rules regarding riding with kids.

[RyanD]

Good evening all

 

Thanks for the replies, if I may clear up a few misconceptions.

 

I am not racing 12 year olds, I am not racing at all. If I was racing, it would be in marathon events and against my age group.

 

The races we ride in are open events and all categories are mixed in all batches, your individual time determines your position within your age group and distance event.  

 

We have done many events together, from when he was wobbling along and I could run the 10K course with him, right up to now when he is doing the 25k events at just over an hour. It has been such a privilege to watch the progression and to see ones experience and advice applied by a young rider.

 

I am trying to make sport a way of life for my boys, we spend a lot of time talking about nutrition and event preparation, checking kit and the mental aspect of racing and training. When it comes to race day I have a lot of experience to pass on and its best done under race conditions. There is a lot I wish other adult cyclists had learnt such as when to pull over in single track and how to do it, thank someone who has pulled over for you, thank the marshals on the course, how to make sense of the route markers and to use your head when you have missed a turn. I am trying to teach him all of these things and more.

 

I asked him what he thought about the chance that he may loose his next trophy should he qualify to get one and he was not very concerned about it, Id rather ride with you Dad was his reply.

 

I will try to get a clarification from CSA tomorrow. Rules are rules and I will follow them to the letter.

 

Thanks again

Ryan

[BaGearA]

screw my reply, nothing rational ever comes from this site anyway

[Tubehunter]

Ryan enjoy every moment dude! 

 

Next thing you see they're charging away from you or they get slightly older and it becomes seriously uncool to hang with their parents in any shape or form! 

[CogitoErgoSum]

I am glad that I am not involved in this discussion for a change.

 

No idea why, but THE HUB is whack these days

 

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[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I am glad that I am not involved in this discussion for a change.

 

No idea why, but THE HUB is whack these days

 

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

It's always been whack. Some days more than others, but there have always been a few fruitcakes in the mix.

[WrightJnr]

I've spent a few years riding with my boys getting them used to MTB riding and then a few races. For what it's worth I rode with them for around 2 years in "fun" rides, always starting in slower batches and never gave them physical assistance, but did offer verbal guidance and and advise. Also assisted with the odd chain drop and puncture. However, as the older one (now 13) showed potential I told him straight he was now on his own, and I expect him to be completely self sufficient.

 

In my opinion (which follows no rule book etc) is that as soon as the word "race" is used or implied, they must be completely on their own.

 

Other options to consider when a parent is worried about "safety" is to perhaps focus on XC type races where the laps are short and will help ease them into things. Or, look at other disciplines of cycling like BMX even. Until they older.

 

 

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[gummibear]

I remember a thread a while back where a kid got lost at a race.Cant find it with the search though.

 

There were some good points in it.

[Zeffer]

This is the answer to your question: NO, there are no UCI rules against riding with your son.

 

There are rules that prevent you from riding with him if he is riding in a racing category/start group. This only happens in road races and XCO races where there are u12 of 14 distaqnce categories and seperate start groups.

 

For marathon (XCM) the u12s normally start as A seeded riders in the 20-30km event, along with 14s and u10s and many many social and inexperienced rides (well maybe not A batch for a Trailseeker with many entries but in smaller races sometimes ALL the 20km riders start in one batch).

 

The problem is..... not all parents are honest about this, in my experience more so with girls. The DO help them and they DO get seen by other parent and the commissaires DO NOT do anything about it because then its he say she says.....

 

I went through the same series of episodes few years ago. Its not simple. But what I did is rode with my sons and mentored them and got them to win races while still young. if there was a complaint or issue I went to the commissaire and said it is fine he is in a training programme and will accept if not on the podium. Today they are racewise and still winning u16 boys!

 

All the best man, give him the best you can

[Pure Savage]

Hell I am going to pay old EU Pros to ride with my boys when they get older! Sucking wheel is an art, ask valverde.

 

If it's a mass start event, every wheel sucker for themselves!

 

 

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[Pure Savage]

I remember a thread a while back where a kid got lost at a race.Cant find it with the search though.

 

There were some good points in it.

Check the cape times

 

 

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[Pure Savage]

Good evening all

 

Thanks for the replies, if I may clear up a few misconceptions.

 

I am not racing 12 year olds, I am not racing at all. If I was racing, it would be in marathon events and against my age group.

 

The races we ride in are open events and all categories are mixed in all batches, your individual time determines your position within your age group and distance event.  

 

We have done many events together, from when he was wobbling along and I could run the 10K course with him, right up to now when he is doing the 25k events at just over an hour. It has been such a privilege to watch the progression and to see ones experience and advice applied by a young rider.

 

I am trying to make sport a way of life for my boys, we spend a lot of time talking about nutrition and event preparation, checking kit and the mental aspect of racing and training. When it comes to race day I have a lot of experience to pass on and its best done under race conditions. There is a lot I wish other adult cyclists had learnt such as when to pull over in single track and how to do it, thank someone who has pulled over for you, thank the marshals on the course, how to make sense of the route markers and to use your head when you have missed a turn. I am trying to teach him all of these things and more.

 

I asked him what he thought about the chance that he may loose his next trophy should he qualify to get one and he was not very concerned about it, Id rather ride with you Dad was his reply.

 

I will try to get a clarification from CSA tomorrow. Rules are rules and I will follow them to the letter.

 

Thanks again

Ryan

 

I would not hold my breath on the reply from CSA. 

 

If it is mass start, then there is zero issue. Even if he sits on your wheel the whole day there is nothing wrong about that either. he still has turn turn the pedals, also teaching him a great skill as well

[Pure Savage]

Ryan enjoy every moment dude! 

 

Next thing you see they're charging away from you or they get slightly older and it becomes seriously uncool to hang with their parents in any shape or form! 

Until they are the ones dropping back and starting with you and then sitting on the front for you into a massive south easter, then its worth it, according to my folks. 

[Shebeen]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/162986-parents-and-kids-on-organised-races/?hl=ancer&do=findComment&comment=2969823

 

not the first time this has come up

[Zeffer]

If unsuccessful with CSA, I can provide you the contact detail of Stephan who is the Gauteng MTB Technical Comm.

[Paddaman]

Okay after reading all the parenting advice, opinions about fair play and UCI rules, I think the following should be noted:

The following words are important RACE, UCI, and the clanger "I asked him what he thought about the chance that he may loose his next trophy should he qualify to get one and he was not very concerned about it, Id rather ride with you Dad was his reply."

 

A race for a position or medal or trophy is a controlled event by the organisers (who are responsible for the safety of the participants despite any waiver) within a clear and fair set of rules (being either UCI, CSA, PPA or own improvised rules).  One of the rules normally includes "participants may not receive ANY EXTERNAL assistance". 

 

If one parent can coach, cajole and motivate (even subconsciously) their child the entire route, then every child should be allowed to have a coach sitting on their wheel as well.  An interesting logistic challenge which could be fun to watch, U12 MTB could become a real spectator sport.

 

So the answer should be:  if you ride with your child/wife/same  sex partner ext, who are RACING for a place in a different category to you (which means if you are not racing they are in a different category to you) then you are giving EXTERNAL assistance and are thus cheating.

 

However, if you are just riding and neither of you are not planning to ACCEPT ANY TROPHY, PRIZE MONEY or MEDAL even if you qualify, then you can be deemed to be fun riders, and therefore not competing, and therefore not bound by the rules of the RACE.

[Jewbacca]

*lose...

 

If you lose weight your pants will become loose.

 

It has been a common issue in this thread, I thought it was only prudent somebody put a stop to it.