CDNW Youth National Series - Spring Bank Holiday

[RDvark]

If anyone is interested, the enry is still open for the CDNW event at the end of May.

I know I am new to these things and everyone says it is not Assen, but this looks like a rare chance to do a 3 day stage event, with a timetrial and 3 crits at 3 venues. I believe it is cumulative time based, not points.

There are a number of Hillingdon and Palmer Park youths going and the Boys A looks particularly strong, with 48 entries so far including 6 from Czech Republic.

If nothing else it is a bank holiday weekend in Blackpool - is that good or bad?

[Martinf]

It's not Assen ;)

[RDvark]

Indeed it is not Assen - and it never will be if we don't support what looks like the best chance of becoming the UK's Assen.

I could be wrong, but it looks like the highest standard of youth road racing this country has to offer this year, and no one is going.

There are complaints about a lack of UK road racing (I know this is mostly circuits not roads). There are campaigns to keep bike race facilities going and grow them in this country, but the first chance we get we head off to Belgium and Holland instead of supporting our domestic National championships. I understand the personal need of some to grow and get European experience, so Assen is first choice, but I don't see the need to dismiss this event just because "It's not Assen".

We don't have a leg to stand on when asking for support from the authorities when we don't attend top domestic races.

(btw I recognise the effort and great number of hours our coaches put in to support everyone in and around the club)

[Amelie]

Indeed it is not Assen - and it never will be if we don't support what looks like the best chance of becoming the UK's Assen.

I could be wrong, but it looks like the highest standard of youth road racing this country has to offer this year, and no one is going.
We don't have a leg to stand on when asking for support from the authorities when we don't attend top domestic races.

(btw I recognise the effort and great number of hours our coaches put in to support everyone in and around the club)

I think you'll find that this weekend is the best of the National Youth Stage event held at the Isle of Man with Teams from Ireland and Holland

As for our Club supporting National Youth Circuit Events you are obviuosly not aware that the Gallachers have previously supported this with Amy and Tom, that the Trotts have supported this with Emma and Laura and the Frys with Samuel and Joseph. Plus other familys Mintings, Fenns for example who have since moved on to bigger and better things
I know that Tom was the U10 National Circuit Series Champion and Joseph was the U8 National Circuit Series Champion. I am sure that Laura probably was at some stage as well.

We travelled the length and breadth of England supporting these events to much critisicm from some people.
But we did it enjoyed the experience and presently choose not too. Previously we had x2 sons competing now we have x1 and when perhaps next year or when Joe is U16 we will review if he or we want to, or can afford to, or have the time to travel around supporting them all until then we will stick to the local events and save some money.

I think that the U16 will get much better racing in Belgium for a weekend, Sunday to prepare them for Junior racing. Cheaper to enter, just as far to travel to, prize money down to 20th place sometimes, bigger fields, better spectator support, long distances.

I am certainly not going to Blackpool for Joe to race up and down the sea front 'tides permitting' just because loads of others are there. If we choose to do a stage race we will do the Isle of Man as we have been before and then it was on some awful circuits and so much fuss about the transducers and they still got the results wrong........bah humbug.

[RDvark]

I thought I might upset some, and this is not aimed at anyone in particular so I apologise for that. I am often tactless and insensitive in my approach. At least I don't call people names behind their backs like some senior politicians do :)

I do know that others have previously attended this event, but the only comment I ever hear about it is "It's not Assen". I repeat, it never will be if it is derided rather than supported. The people listed as having previously attended are some of our most successful or promising youth riders over the last few years, so it certainly hasn't done them any harm.

The IOM may have more foreign riders, but since it requires most of those under the age of 16 to illegally miss a day's schooling (yes it is an offence) solely because the organisers want people to attend the after-race evening on Sunday, this is one event I will not support and many younger riders do not go for similar reasons.

As far as racing in Belgium is concerned, I don't know their calendar, but I suspect there are many events that people could go to and the standard is high enough any week to be of benefit, but this is the only UK mainland cummulative time stage event I know of and I challenge anyone to get to Belgium on a bank holiday weekend in 4 or 5 hours door-to-door for less than £60 return including petrol and tolls.

Michael specifically asked to race Preston again this year having had success while on vacation around there last year, and this looked like the best use of the journey.

Maybe after Michael has raced up and down the prom a few times we'll feel it isn't worth it too. I'll let you know.

[Green Machine]

Assen, Blackpool, National Circuit Crits, Milden Hall Rally, Hog Hill, Hillingdon - they are all important as long as the young uns are enjoying riding them and the ones who aspire for better things will choose the ones that will stretch or motivate them - if thats Assen its Assen, if its Blackpool, its well - Blackpool. I have never seen so many opportunities to race either as a youth or a senior rider so give them a go and just enjoy the experience.

Bob - if you do go up and Michael rides rides, beware of the short bouncer wearing a tuxedo with no arms outside of the Manchester but apart from that, Blackpool is a nice place to visit and sure Michael will enjoy the racing