Fareham Wheelers - Portsmouth North End (youth riders)

Under 18s can be tricky and it will depend on the club's rules. We used to have a rule that they had to ride with parents, which was fine till one lad was being scouted by European based teams. 

Eventually we sorted out a "responsible adult" rule. Though our academy coaches hate it when the juniors need chaperoning up hill climb events 🤣 

Would also add that safeguarding has to be taken very seriously when under 18s ride with a club. Even with our "responsible adult" rule, when we've had a junior abandon a club ride we expect two people to stay with them till they are picked up or get home, so that's 3 people's ride spoilt.

I've no idea about any of them for yoofs but would also say solent pirates is in that region too

Thanks all.  Food for thought.

He's also done some research and I think one of the two clubs has an adults come with policy up to 16 or 18.  

I have never club roadie'd or raced so this whole scene is a total cycling blind spot for me in terms of how it operates and what's needed grown up side.  

My experience is now ancient so probably would be irrelevant. 

I was a 2nd cat when I raced for Fareham Wheelers (then a bit of time with VC St Raphael/Waite Contracts when I got a bit better and finally i-team when I stopped road racing ). Rode with very good under 18 riders at FW on the Sunday rides. Then a young lady called Dani King at i-team used to ride with us as a 16yr old - she turned out to be quite good.

I'm sure procedures have moved along massively since then, but I really hope there's enough common sense being applied and not too much over caution and your son finds a good place to train and ride.