Originally Posted by
Brian Ratliff
Another way of saying what I'm trying to say, is that to fix the issues we are talking about, we need more youth cycling. Juniors should be the largest field at any race. I don't think tacking on a required skills clinic is going to help anything when the people they are teaching are primarily 25-40 year old men.
At this point I have no idea what issues you are talking about helping. If it's a lack of juniors then yes, this doesn't address that. If it's too many 25-40 year old men in the sport, then you can quit and there will be one less
It simply addresses that currently we require zero skills or knowledge before letting people race. I believe, based on some 46 years of racing everything from gokarts to Moto GP that this does not serve new participants well, nor the people who they will be racing with.
A one day class is not a barrier. It's giving someone a lifejacket before they go white water rafting. Pretty simple concept.
FWIW I mentored at least 8 Cat 5 races. There was one crash. Out of 8 Cat 5 races. I would put that record up against any other 8 Cat 5 races where there wasn't any instruction or mentoring.
Your speculation that there won't be enough people to give the classes is not born out by facts on the ground where there are programs in place.