THREE CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONALS AND COUNTING
Robert Inserni was our first encounter in August when he prepared Willow Koerbers National bikes for their 9-year old Kiersten and 7 year-old Kees. Robert asked us if the tires were the same for juniors under 10 years old when he was reviewing the September issue’s 40 tire shootout. With this caveat, we said yes. Shop mainly by weight. Some models may be smaller than others, but they won’t necessarily be lighter than the elite model. Mammoths soil tends to be looser than hard. You’re losing time if you sink and lose directional stability. This is because lightweight volume tires can be used by any weight rider and are much faster than regular tires.
Robert was also asked to keep a diary of their adventures. Part I provides background information and insight into a youth training philosophy that works.
ROBERT INSERNI IN HIS OWN WORDS
I joke that I don’t have to live through my children, unlike other parents. I’ve done it myself. It’s all about passing on the torch. Seriously, I’m a former winner of national and state championships in Olympic Class Yachting (run-bike/run) and Duathlon (run/bike-run) as a junior, and now as an adult, so I know what it takes to be ready for these events. This knowledge is invaluable to my children. But, what’s more important is the fact that we have some genes. My success is not the only thing that has happened to me. My uncle was the Dutch mile champion. My father, a pediatrician, was an athlete for his entire life. I learned so much from him about the differences between children and adults, both physiologically and emotional.
We heard about Willows 03 bikes being for sale when the Waco National racers were finished. But I don’t just give them things like this, they must earn them. They weren’t mine at the time. Kiersten was a hardworking young lady who had won all her races, had been leading the Texas State Championships, and was ranked #1 with France Cycling. I decided to purchase one for her later in the spring. When her brother Kees showed the same and was just as good, or better than Kiersten, I purchased the second bike for him. They are great bikes. They are ideal for those with smaller hands, such as children, who have the SRAM XO hydraulic disc brakes and gripshifters. kids). The SID World Cup fork can also operate at very low pressure, making it suitable for very light riders. Finally, I calculated that the cost of the bikes could be amortized over many years as they would last until my children were at least 13 cm5 or 13 cm10cm. I just had to change the stems. This may be Willow’s tallest bike, so it could last her forever. For Kees, it will probably last at least five years, hopefully longer.
I am a lawyer with my own practice. This allows me to plan my time around my kids. It’s still difficult to manage all this. The traveling races are especially challenging because I am a tour guide, chauffeur and dad. It is a lot to lug two bikes, four bags and two children through airports.
MUST READ ADVICE – PARENTS
Parents of juniors should remember this: Don’t rush your children to be kids. My children are not like many other kids who compete in different sports.
They began mountain biking in February and continued until May. Six races were raced and most of their training took place the day before they rode. We would go over the sections or skills they were having trouble with until they were mastered. My kids were gifted athletes, so they quickly learned. Some races were one month apart so they did spring soccer in between races. We might ride to the park or down the bayfront, but we never train. We don’t have hills or elevation so it is impossible to train on the coast. Due to the heat and humidity, the bikes were not ridden much during the summer. They did AAU tracking for June, then did nothing in July, and then did some swimming in August. To prepare for the Nationals, we entered one race in September. They play fall soccer from September through November, then it’s December and January. Then it’s family fun and holidays. In February, they return to mountain biking.
To keep them interested in the sport and prevent them from getting bored, I take them to different sports. To give them a break. I removed them from their swim team this year, and they won’t be allowed to compete in triathlons next year. I also won’t allow them to race at Mammoth. Perhaps we will instead travel to Holland, where all of my family lives, to visit our relatives and then drive to France to see Lance win his seventh. I am often asked why I would stop playing a sport for a few years for my children. My answer is « Why not? » I rarely get an articulate answer. Next, I’ll ask: What is the harm if your child does not swim, bike, or play tennis when he is 9 or 10 years old? He’s only 10 or 11 when he goes back. It’s still not easy for some parents to grasp the concept. My favorite response is: It was 11-year-old Peters decision to train six days per week and participate in two-hour triathlons. First, 11-year-olds aren’t emotionally or intellectually equipped to make such decisions. Second, if you create a system in which a child is praised and rewarded for doing something, hell do any thing (even steal) to please his parents.
My belief is that child athletes are very similar to child actors. Children’s success can be so mismanaged or misdirected by their parents, who are often living-vicariously, that they either hate the sport or their parents by age 16. Or they don’t have the ability to translate their childhood success into adult success. You should support your children if they are talented athletes. But, balance their lives so that they can still remain children. Sabbaticals seem to be a must. They will be more passionate about the sport if they are truly passionate about it. If you do it well, they’ll continue to enjoy the sport until they reach their 51 cms or 76 cms. This is when it really matters!
STAY TUNED TO PART II
PHOTO: Willow Koerber and the children. These jerseys, worn by Kees and Kiersten, are Willows from last season. The jerseys are perfect for Willow’s small stature. Willow is approximately 13 cm3 cm3 and 48 kg.
