Im sorry I never asked your name in the cafe earlier, but for the Father/Son of club evening time trial fame who were enquiring about the rules as to Youth categories and gear restrictions for racing... here you go...
3.3 Gear Restrictions
3.3.1 In all road events (other than events promoted in accordance with T.R. 7.12) juniors shall be restricted to a maximum gear such that the distance covered per crank revolution is 7.93 metres. The gear restriction shall not apply to seniors.
Youth category riders shall be restricted in all events to maximum gears as shown in the following table
YOUTH CATEGORY GEAR RESTRICTIONS
CATEGORY ROAD RACING TRACK RACING ROLLER RACING
YOUTH A 6.91 metres 6.91 metres 7.93 metres
YOUTH B 6.45 metres 6.45 metres 7.40 metres
YOUTH C 6.05 metres 6.05 metres 6.94 metres
YOUTH D 5.40 metres for all events.
YOUTH E 5.10 metres for all events.
Note: These gear restrictions apply to riders in all events irrespective of the gearing used by riders from other categories in the same event.
5 AGE CATEGORIES
Licences, which shall be valid for all disciplines, shall be issued as follows:
5.1 Youth
5.1.1 Youth E - Under 8 - Until 31 December in year of 8th birthday.
5.1.2 Youth D - Under 10 – From 1 January in year of 9th Birthday until 31 December in year of 10th birthday.
5.1.3 Youth C - Under 12 -. From 1 January in year of 11th Birthday until 31 December in year of 12th birthday
5.1.4 Youth B - Under 14 - From 1 January in year of 13th Birthday until 31 December in year of 14th birthday
5.1.5 Youth A - Under 16 - From 1 January in year of 15th Birthday until 31 December in year of 16th birthday. On reaching his 16th birthday a rider may apply for a Junior competition licence in order to be permitted to compete on the open road. On taking up this option he may no longer compete as a Youth rider.
Note:
Whilst the above categories may be grouped together in events, promoters should be conscious of the range of abilities of riders within the youth categories. This can be helped by running events for different age groups, different sizes, similar ability, by forming suitable handicaps or by offering separate awards for different groups. Girls are permitted to compete in events open to, and for awards available to, those Boys of the next youngest age category at the discretion of the chief Commissaire. In such situations, such Girls must restrict themselves to that gear restriction as per the Boy’s category. Two or three shorter races on an omnium basis may also be more suitable than one longer race.
5.2 Junior
5.2.1 Junior - To any male or female junior member of the Federation.
5.2.2 A member who has not reached his 18th birthday may not compete without having provided the consent of their parent or guardian in the form as prescribed from time to time by the Board.
5.2.3 Applicants for an annual licence must send such a Parental Consent Form, duly completed and signed, to Federation Headquarters and any licence issued is only valid if such a form has been received. At the time of application for an annual licence the parent's or guardian's signature must be witnessed by an official of the member's club or other responsible adult.
SYNOPSIS OF AGE CATEGORIES FOR 2007
Category Qualification
Youth E
Under 8 born in 1999 or later Until 31st December of year in which 8th birthday falls
Youth D
Under 10 born in 1997 or 1998 From 1st Jan of year in which 9th birthday falls to 31st December of year in which 10th birthday falls
Youth C
Under 12 born in 1995 or 1996 From 1st Jan of year in which 11th birthday falls to 31st December of year in which 12th birthday falls
Youth B
Under 14 born in 1993 or 1994 From 1st Jan of year in which 13th birthday falls to 31st December of year in which 14th birthday falls (or upgraded from Youth C).
Youth A
Under 16 born in 1991 or 1992 From 1st Jan of year in which 15th birthday falls to 31st December of year in which 16th birthday falls (or upgraded from Youth B).
Junior 16 yrs old or born in 1989 or 1990 From 1st Jan of year in which 17th birthday falls to 31st December of year in which 18th birthday falls.
Under 23 born in 1985, 1986, 1987 or 1988 From 1st Jan of year in which 19th birthday falls to 31st December of year in which 22nd birthday falls.
Over 23 born in 1984 or earlier From 1st Jan of year in which 23rd birthday falls.
Women born in 1988 or earlier From 1st Jan of year in which 19th birthday falls.
Note: For cyclo-cross age categories, refer to the specific cyclo-cross regulations.
By my reckoning this all makes your son Youth B for the time being, which means a maximum gear of 6.45m for Road Racing, which equates to...
a 52x17, ie a 52teeth front chainring with a smallest sprocket of 17 on the cassette. GB's or whatever bike shop you use will be able to help you out there. Other than that its just a license you need really.
The link to the rule book is
[url]http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bcf/rulebook.asp[/url]
and click on: General Cross-Discipline Regs. & Track & Road Racing Rulebook (1.1 mb) >>>>
Its all in there, all 97pages of it!
Anyway, hope this helps. Remember, theres always gonna be crashes, but they're not that common. So just don't tell mum and you'll be fine!
Cheers,
Adam