Registration for Tour of Elk Grove is now online. Nothing yet for Downers Grove or the Chicago Criterium.
In other summer news, the Superweek schedule has been shuffled to move the Whitnall Park Road Race to the second Wednesday, July 23. That and the Tour of Holy Hill are the only road races, although there remain three TBA’s for the first week.
“Children of Men”? “There Are No Children Here”? “Grumpy Old Men”?
Last year there were 6 juniors in the 10-14 race and 13 in the 15-18 race. With the senior fields overflowing and clamoring for longer races, the promoter cut where did didn’t see enough participation, namely the juniors and women.
Fortunately there’s still a lot of racing for the juniors. Elgin is that weekend, and juniors still get to race at the summer’s other big races, Downers Grove and the Chicago Criterium. Perhaps if 30+ kids show up to each of those, the Tour of Elk Grove will reconsider for 2009.
Ahhh… you give me too much credit for watching recent movies. I was thinking about a Van Dyke movie, Dick Van Dyke that is. It came out long before you were born, and I spent many a night watching it when my kid was little along with whales and talking dog movies.
But alas that is not the issue.
Once you feel you’re not welcome at a shop or a restaurant do you ever go back? Or do you find some place that embraces a value system similar to your own? One that makes you feel welcome and appreciated.
It may be old and cliched but read the writing on the walls and follow the money. Where is the sport going if it doesn’t promote 10-18 year olds riding in competition in the big events?
My apologies for using your wonderful site as a soap box.
No apology needed. It’s a valid concern. Fortunately it’s an isolated case, although Superweek seems to have been cutting back on juniors racing, too.
mr martin is right. it is easy to become involved with races we ride in. but the future of the sport needs to be looked after also. after all the national team isnt out recruting 30 year olds. and it would be nice to say we recognise a few of the riders that make it big. we might be able to say i shoved that kid off of the track in a cat 4 when he was 13. ( or better yet , just recognise it when they win the local races )
I do agree with Kaleb and Mr Martin. Our parents are driving us hunders of miles for races. We are going out of our state. Then racing 4/5 is dangerous. Do you really want the future of this sport being rashed out and being driven to the point of quiting. Kaleb put it best ( or better yet, just recognise it when they win the loal races) Il has small jr feilds and it is not helping our sport. The big question is why do we go to other states to race but the people from the states we go to dont come to races in IL.
what is wrong with racing a 4/5 event when a specific juniors only race is not offered? Which gives you a more realistic race experience a field of 10 juniors or a lager group. If as a junior you are truly that talented to be considered for the national team you will be in and long gone from the junior scene anyway, right. This is a tough situation for both sides, probably a no win debate. I guess my opinion, if you really want to race, is take what you can when you can. For what ever that is worth.
there is nothing wrong with a jr. racing a 4/5 event. as far as it being a realistic experience. remember that juniors ride with gear restrictions. so if you think you can win a race without ever using a gear biger than a 44 then more power to u. juniors do not complane about this handiecap, and welcome the oppertunity to compete, but it is nice to also race and test yourself where everyone is on the same playing field.
point taken
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Apr 21
2008
10:45 pm
(N/A)
Anyone notice the lack of Junior class races in Elk Grove? Reminds me of a movie I once saw…