in 1992 when my kids did their first STP with their dad, I did follow them (not right behind!) but I met them at prearranged stops in our van every 30 miles or so. They were 10 and 12 years old and it was a long hot ride. (and their dad was 6 weeks post knee surgery) In later STP's I only met them at the overnight stop. I hate driving a car amidst all those bikes and always try to take alternate routes.