Ridecamp: [RC] Very young riders

Char,
When you say "I cringe when I see my "little boy" on that big motorcycle at 
the starting line, would I ever say no he couldn't do it because he's to 
young, NEVER!" I assume your talking about motocross. My question to you is 
this:
Would you have let him at age 5 sit on the line with the A class (fast 
riders) B class (intermediate riders) and C class (Beginner riders) ect... 
all dropped at once? Because that is what its like at the start of an 
endurance ride.  All different levels of experience all on the trail at 
once.
We have a 13 yr old kid who lives with us to train in the summer, he races 
85cc,125cc and 250cc, I cringe when he's on the line too but he didn't just 
jump on the bike and ride 250 A class, he had to work his way up to it.  I 
used to own my own track and if someone put there 5 yr old on the line with 
all the fast riders I, being the director, would not have allowed it nor 
would have my race insurance covered my ignorance and I wouldn't put it past 
some parents to do it!  That's why you have AGE classes for young motocross 
riders, to protect them, not to forbid them because "their too young".
I agree that there should atleast be some sort of "qualifying" for junior 
riders to move up to certain distances in endurance.

Angie

Char Antuzzi char_antuzzi@xxxxxx
I am the mom to a very active 10 year old boy. I would much rather have my
son face both the mental and physical stress by being in a "sport" (in his
case motocross) then the mental and physical stress of peer pressure and
drugs! Yes, even at 10 years old, there are kids that are trying out drugs
and we live a great country life! I find that by having my child suceed
(not by winning but by going out and trying) this gives him the much needed
inner strength to say "NO" to things he might be lean toward due to peer
pressure. Are all kids that are involved in sports not going to try things
because of peer pressure, NO! Does a 5 year old try drugs, probably not.
But, if you can give the child something to focus on, get a strong self
image (and what better way then to cross a finish line, first or last)and
yes, let them face something that is demanding on them physically I see no
harm in this. I cringe when I see my "little boy" on that big motorcycle at
the starting line, would I ever say no he couldn't do it because he's to
young, NEVER! If he however came to me and told me he didn't want to race
anymore I would of course honor his wishes... then I'd go by him a horse!
Let the kids ride and lets assume the parents have the responsibility to
make it as safe as possible.




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