Kids Tri in rain question

[duff_duffy]

My 9 year old is all pumped up for his first tri this weekend but rain is forecast. He is very competetive and I see him going all out on the bike portion, on a 650 23mm wheelset that I fear may not grip the road like he’s used to. He has never ridden on wet roads. Am I being too protective if I pull him from race?

[azrider]

Originally Posted by duff_duffy

Am I being too protective if I pull him from race?

Just lower pressure and tell him to be more safe around turns. I would say NOT to pull him but if you're anything like our house MOM has final say.

[MattTuck]

There is a TT from one of the Ulrich/Armstrong tours... it is raining heavily, and I think Ullrich crashed 2 or 3 times, costing him the lead. That is my recollection anyway.

If you could find that video and show it to him, maybe that would help put it in perspective.

Also, crashing on very wet roads is probably the most skin friendly way to crash. Source: I crashed on a very wet road in heavy rain and suffered [relatively] minor abrasions.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by duff_duffy

My 9 year old is all pumped up for his first tri this weekend but rain is forecast. He is very competetive and I see him going all out on the bike portion, on a 650 23mm wheelset that I fear may not grip the road like he’s used to. He has never ridden on wet roads. Am I being too protective if I pull him from race?

Not at all. I had a policy of not doing mass start road races in the rain. Too many bad things other than crashes could happen. For example, getting road sprays near a farm, etc. In general, I avoid riding outside in the rain.

[BobC]

Just a thought: Could make the whole experience that more memorable & "epic" (using kid language).


Could give him a great story on his first triathlon. Also give him a good reference point when things get hard or he is struggling in the future ("this is nothing, do you remember your first tri? It was RAINING!")

[DRietz]

I like the above poster’s perspective.

Also, if you think he’s going to like racing, he’s going to crash at some point. Comes with the territory.

But, that being said, he’s your child. You know what’s best. Go with your gut.

[duff_duffy]

This spoke to me. Decision made. Photos to be posted Sunday!

Originally Posted by BobC

Just a thought: Could make the whole experience that more memorable & "epic" (using kid language).


Could give him a great story on his first triathlon. Also give him a good reference point when things get hard or he is struggling in the future ("this is nothing, do you remember your first tri? It was RAINING!")

[wildboar]

Depends on the road & course. Does the bike have tires for rainy conditions, lower presure, and eye protection to keep oil and gas spray out of the eyes when the roads get wet? Probably don't ride the aerobars at all.

Sometimes there is no warning when there is a slick spot.

Ullrich TT mentioned above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEuG8ze-3_A

Looks like most of these tri crashes are on wet roads:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtgbT77wslk

[duff_duffy]

Well he loved his first tri! Unfortunately timer got in accident on way to race so no official times/places given, just wound up being a fun event. They said with staggered start too difficult to track times/places.

[Hilltopperny]

Originally Posted by duff_duffy

Well he loved his first tri! Unfortunately timer got in accident on way to race so no official times/places given, just wound up being a fun event. They said with staggered start too difficult to track times/places.

That’s an awesome bike he has there! Glad it all worked out.


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[weisan]