Where are the younger riders

Charlie96 wrote:There’s no

Charlie96 wrote:

There’s no shortage of youths and juniors where I am! You can usually find plenty of us at the circuit of a Wednesday evening doing some idle drafting… Y’know like in a bunch. ;)

FTFY
😉

There’s no hiding behind a stronger rider when you’re racing against the clock, a true test of both mind and body.

But cycling’s not only about competition. All disciplines and means of riding are enjoyable, you don’t have to pin a number on to be part of a great scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo

Sportives are pricey! Esp
Sportives are pricey! Esp when you travel – I’m doing etape cymru so entry+hotel+petrol=not a very cheap cycle ride. Which is why I think its great when clubs do there own (Peterborough for ex. sure there’s others) Alongside the club runs. Only just started doing some TT’s there fun but the interest certainly isn’t placed there. We have some of the worlds best road riders, thats who the young people (like me) are inspired by. I’m not saying you can’t handle work, family and training but I’m saying it isn’t easy, cycling for the majority isn’t going to be priority number one. Me and my friend ride 2-300 miles a week, but during uni we only manage about 50-100 because were in 9-8 and then get home and work more. Its easier at summer, I usually wake up at 6 and am out for 45mins before uni. At the end of the day were more invested in our chosen career paths than dreaming of being a pro cyclist. It’s the same as the 10 year old boy that wants to grow up and play for Man U – he realises that its unlikely and he focuses his efforts on other things. My sister is knee deep in revision at the min so she doesn’t have time to do her running that she’d usually be doing but come summer hols she’ll be out running and cycling. And anyway like I said seen plenty of young people out, actually I was really surprised about how many young people were out with there parents over Easter. Far more than last year.

TTing isn’t an attractive
TTing isn’t an attractive sport for most ‘young’ people under 31, though those that take part understand its enduring appeal.

I’d like to see more riders in time trials on standard road bikes instead of feeling the need to spend £2k on a bike plus fancy wheels and all the other gubbins to ride 10 miles once a week in the summer.

Lots of kids and young(er) folk are into circuit racing, cyclo-cross, du/tri, sportives etc etc as BC’s significant growth in membership of late may indicate. The number of rides in club TTs has been on the rise in recent times, prompting the levy increase for club events. People like the casual nature of just turning up of an evening and I can’t say I blame them. Having said that, entering open events is great too.

Who says I don’t know road
Who says I don’t know road craft, I could easily ride you off my wheel, on my carbon mean machine that I’ve just been tinkerin’ with – cus I’m known as the king when it comes to mechanics. Now to put on m’rapha gear and go train.

They DO and WILL ride with
They DO and WILL ride with the older generation, that’s how they test their legs and get into it. But the days of short 10 mile TT’s are coming to an end with the younger guys.

Because they all want to be the next Wiggo or Cav, they go testing their legs on longer Sportives and rides.

Its not until you actually start racing and trying to get points for licenses that many turn to TT’s for some prep.

Being as your in Nottinghamshire, I’d guess there are Sportives on most weekends within a reasonable distance, that’s where everyone seems to head now.

Yeah, and other people have
Yeah, and other people have jobs – when it comes to crunch time things such as cycling and what not are the first things to go. Prices are relevant, but perhaps people don’t have the money these days, most young people are going to have to either rely on mum and dad or save – if your parents are from a poor background your saving, it took me a long time to save up for my wheels. To be honest you answer your own question -17 y.o cyclist don’t wanna go out riding with 60+ year olds they want to be out with people there own age, maybe clubs should be worrying how to attract younger riders rather than saying “back in our day”. Maybe that’s wrong but it seems to be your perspective.