Daughter's first race - tips required!

[crisscross]

Hi, my 10 year old daughter is competing at The Tour of Britain and we need some advice!

OK so that's accurate without being strictly true, she is entering a novice GoRide time trial and scratch race which is on part of the course used by Wiggins & co. slightly later.

We aren't a cycling family and have never done any form of racing so I can't really advise her on things she keeps asking.

We bought her an islabike on here last week so at least she isn't on her rusting junk of eBay MTB rubbish.

For example - should she start in a "easier" gear and change up or just press harder?

In the scratch race do you go flat out for the whole thing, or sit in the pack ( if she can keep up with them!) and then sprint near the end?

Should she be in the racing position for the whole thing or the more comfy top bar until sprinting?

Any other tips appreciated thanks.

 

[Big T]

Hi, my 10 year old daughter is competing at The Tour of Britain and we need some advice!

OK so that's accurate without being strictly true, she is entering a novice GoRide time trial and scratch race which is on part of the course used by Wiggins & co. slightly later.

We aren't a cycling family and have never done any form of racing so I can't really advise her on things she keeps asking.

We bought her an islabike on here last week so at least she isn't on her rusting junk of eBay MTB rubbish.

For example - should she start in a "easier" gear and change up or just press harder?

In the scratch race do you go flat out for the whole thing, or sit in the pack ( if she can keep up with them!) and then sprint near the end?

Should she be in the racing position for the whole thing or the more comfy top bar until sprinting?

Any other tips appreciated thanks.

Pre-ride the course if she gets the chance, but above all enjoy the experience. Racing at that age should be about having fun, without parental pressure to do well. Whilst having fun, the kids are learning the skills they need for when the racing gets serious later on. The ones who are winning races at 10 are rarely the ones who are winning at 16, 18 or 21.

 

[crisscross]

Pre-ride the course if she gets the chance, but above all enjoy the experience. Racing at that age should be about having fun, without parental pressure to do well. Whilst having fun, the kids are learning the skills they need for when the racing gets serious later on. The ones who are winning races at 10 are rarely the ones who are winning at 16, 18 or 21.

Totally agree Big T, this is only for fun, but she is mad keen and will be thrilled to start let alone finish.

 

[Dave5N]

Totally agree Big T, this is only for fun, but she is mad keen and will be thrilled to start let alone finish.

Keep a straight line and don't move off her line on the corners. U12 kids can be faster than their skills!

 

[zacklaws]

Any other tips appreciated thanks.

Don't put a "tenner" on her, she'll probably loose it through being inexperienced and tire herself out, but, it could be the start of something big and one day she may be on the big podium. I think Armstrong started off like this or something similar or was it Lemond.

So at the end give her the "Tenner" and congratulate her for her acheivement wherever she comes to boost her confidence and to try again.

 

[lukesdad]

I agree with all of the above, I think you will find there wont be a "pack" in the under 12s they will be all over the place.

 

[Dave5N]

I agree with all of the above, I think you will find there wont be a "pack" in the under 12s they will be all over the place.

Often is in U12 races on open circuits. U12 races can be pretty quick. Look at this http://new.britishcy...-Centre-Races-0

Scroll down for video. U12s about 30s in.

 

[Dayvo]

Big T speaks wise words - I can't add anything more, except that FUN is the name of the game at that age.

 

[Noodley]

Hope she has fun, and it's the start of a successful sporting career...

 

[crisscross]

Thanks guys, she had an absolute ball.

Unfortunately her novice races were cancelled because the course was being prepared for the real Tour of Britain.

Instead she joined in with some club riders in the Italian Persuit - which I thought involved bank robberies and minis but apparantly not.

They did amazingly well, Georgia kept up her bit and the TV commentator even praised her on the mic. which was lovely.

Bizarrely their team only came third despite overtaking the other teams in both races.

So they got to stand on the podium in front of the crowd to receive their medals which was wonderful but more importantly she had loads of fun and made some great new friends

Really well organised by the GoRide & Sky people, so many thanks to them.

Hope she has fun, and it's the start of a successful sporting career...

 

[Noodley]

well done

 

[Baggy]

Well done Georgia!

 

[Christopher]

Well done as well. And well done to the OP for buying a proper bike (islabike). They really do look like proper bikes for kids, not junk or scaled-down adult bikes.

 

[crisscross]

Thanks guys, but it was back to reality today as Georgia took part in the club championship.

She's only been twice before and it was a 6km race which proved pretty tough but a real eye opener as to how fast some of the others are.

Hopefully it will spur her on to do some winter training.

Great fun.

 

[Dave5N]

Thanks guys, but it was back to reality today as Georgia took part in the club championship.

She's only been twice before and it was a 6km race which proved pretty tough but a real eye opener as to how fast some of the others are.

Hopefully it will spur her on to do some winter training.

Great fun.

IMO, 10 year old girls shouldn't be trianing - they should be doing proper coached sessions that develop skills whilst offering a bit of fun and competition. The fitness will come naturally and you can avoid overdoing it with their bodies. I know a few 12 year olds with worrying knee problems!