Originally Posted by
Bah Humbug
A 17-year-old would not be allowed the same equipment in an Ironman as an 18-year-old, because 17-year-olds are not allowed to compete in Ironman. In general triathlon, I don't know the minimum age (if any) to pick up a pro card, but there are no other age-related requirements or rules I'm aware of.
....
Then USA Cycling is still the only sporting authority [I know of] where athletes competing against each other for the same prize are not allowed the same equipment based on age.
For cycling Strava, as some other races, does not have that restriction.
I've been an adult and youth sports official over a decade, I like this stuff. Some rules are fair, some are not.
Originally Posted by
Bah Humbug
.....
In your position, I would be worried about my kid not being able to follow very simple and basic procedures like an adult, not that he isn't allowed to use the exact same equipment as an adult. Over in triathlon, if you miss packet pickup, you're not fined. You're just not allowed to compete. In the real world of college and professional life, the rules and requirements get much stricter, as I'm sure you know.
Kid's forget stuff. My other minor kid was recruited by the NCAA DI champions, coach was under a microscope. I had to do the signing. The Facebook had to come down. It is not as paperwork intensive as USAC. Each NCAA game, players are not required to file paperwork. Each USAC event, they are.
Anyway the disciplines (punishments) for USA Cycling are defined
https://s3.amazonaws.com/imm-usac-ua...Discipline.pdf.
A rider can calculate what hits they want to take/what forgetting costs. Not signing in is 8A5(l) $20.
Taking a jersey hit for $20 and riding in a speed suit over jersey and shorts might be a good calculation. Rules change on this (I'm guessing for that reason) and now you can't start if you don't have the right kit.
Strava does not have that. Phil didn't pay $50 to do his KOM without a brake. USAC that is a DQ-8A1(i). Because it is not so defined it is more an honor system that folks should do it like those next to them.