Can anyone help me settle this argument, which makes more sense?
07-20-15, 03:30 PM
#1
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Can anyone help me settle this argument, which makes more sense?
Neither are completely wrong, but one of them has got to be more sensible?
1: "I went down a hill at 40Mph and crashed into a big rock in the road, landing on my head, thank god I was wearing a helmet!"
OR
2: "I thought about going 40Mph down that hill, instead went less than 30Mph, thank god I did and was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
1: "I went down a hill at 40Mph and crashed into a big rock in the road, landing on my head, thank god I was wearing a helmet!"
OR
2: "I thought about going 40Mph down that hill, instead went less than 30Mph, thank god I did and was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
Last edited by ben4345; 07-20-15 at 04:35 PM. Reason: spelling
07-20-15, 03:34 PM
#2
incazzare.
I don't see the point of this. Do you want to argue about helmets or something?
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Last edited by lostarchitect; 07-20-15 at 03:49 PM.
07-20-15, 03:48 PM
#3
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Totally depends on the rider and their priorities. While one rider may be perfectly comfortable with the risks with a 40 mph downhill ride, and takes appropriate precautions, another may decide the risk is too great at 40 mph and choose to descend slower. There is no right answer.
By the way senseful is not a word.
By the way senseful is not a word.
Last edited by howsteepisit; 07-20-15 at 04:01 PM.
07-20-15, 03:58 PM
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07-20-15, 04:01 PM
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You should NEVER overrun your ability to control the bike or to see what's in the road ahead of you.
And that goes for riding at night too, don't overrun your light and end up in a pothole.
07-20-15, 04:02 PM
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07-20-15, 04:16 PM
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I live part-way down a large hill. My fastest logged times are always from my returned-home downhill run. But I feel my true skill level for handling a bike is a bit less than the top end I could achieve on a downhill run. I'd guess my skill level is closer to my riding speed.
Rarely do I ride my bike at speeds much greater than 20 mph (under power)... from time-to-rime 25mph. So when enjoying a steep downhill... I restrict my speed to about 32mph (less if I don't know the road). That way I feel I still have the control needed to cycle. I can steer, lean, avoid obstacles, and stop as needed. Both my nerves and my bicycle can handle the roads I ride at the speeds I ride.
So I chose the: was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
Rarely do I ride my bike at speeds much greater than 20 mph (under power)... from time-to-rime 25mph. So when enjoying a steep downhill... I restrict my speed to about 32mph (less if I don't know the road). That way I feel I still have the control needed to cycle. I can steer, lean, avoid obstacles, and stop as needed. Both my nerves and my bicycle can handle the roads I ride at the speeds I ride.
So I chose the: was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
07-20-15, 04:33 PM
#10
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I live part-way down a large hill. My fastest logged times are always from my returned-home downhill run. But I feel my true skill level for handling a bike is a bit less than the top end I could achieve on a downhill run. I'd guess my skill level is closer to my riding speed.
Rarely do I ride my bike at speeds much greater than 20 mph (under power)... from time-to-rime 25mph. So when enjoying a steep downhill... I restrict my speed to about 32mph (less if I don't know the road). That way I feel I still have the control needed to cycle. I can steer, lean, avoid obstacles, and stop as needed. Both my nerves and my bicycle can handle the roads I ride at the speeds I ride.
So I chose the: was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
Rarely do I ride my bike at speeds much greater than 20 mph (under power)... from time-to-rime 25mph. So when enjoying a steep downhill... I restrict my speed to about 32mph (less if I don't know the road). That way I feel I still have the control needed to cycle. I can steer, lean, avoid obstacles, and stop as needed. Both my nerves and my bicycle can handle the roads I ride at the speeds I ride.
So I chose the: was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
Yeah, I used to be bullet proof too... and then I got sensible.
07-20-15, 04:35 PM
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07-20-15, 05:37 PM
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07-20-15, 05:50 PM
#14
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I think you need to revise your two scenarios, e.g.,
1:"I went down a hill at 40Mph and crashed into a big rock because I couldn't think fast enough... thank god I was quick thinking enough to wear a helmet!"
OR
2: "I thought about the danger going down that hill at 40 mph so I slowed to 30 mph to be safe but my brain interfered with my reflexes to such an extent that instead dodging that big rock I went over the cliff...!"
1:"I went down a hill at 40Mph and crashed into a big rock because I couldn't think fast enough... thank god I was quick thinking enough to wear a helmet!"
OR
2: "I thought about the danger going down that hill at 40 mph so I slowed to 30 mph to be safe but my brain interfered with my reflexes to such an extent that instead dodging that big rock I went over the cliff...!"
07-20-15, 06:11 PM
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Neither are completely wrong, but one of them has got to be more sensible?
1: "I went down a hill at 40Mph and crashed into a big rock in the road, landing on my head, thank god I was wearing a helmet!"
OR
2: "I thought about going 40Mph down that hill, instead went less than 30Mph, thank god I did and was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
1: "I went down a hill at 40Mph and crashed into a big rock in the road, landing on my head, thank god I was wearing a helmet!"
OR
2: "I thought about going 40Mph down that hill, instead went less than 30Mph, thank god I did and was able to dodge that big rock in the road!"
07-20-15, 08:23 PM
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07-20-15, 08:36 PM
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Just for the sake of argument, I think that somebody should take the pro-crash side.
07-20-15, 08:48 PM
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It's a sloppy example, but I think the OP is trying to make the point that preventing accidents is a smarter choice than mitigating the consequences. That's true as far as it goes, but life often doesn't present us with the choice.
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07-20-15, 08:48 PM
#20
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Wait... what kinda bike and how big of a helmet? This information is needed before I can approve of the "crash with helmet" as being the more senseful option.
Oh, and how many witnesses? Will there be video?
Last edited by AlmostTrick; 07-20-15 at 08:54 PM.
07-20-15, 09:03 PM
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07-20-15, 09:22 PM
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Yep, and who wants to buy a new helmet...
07-20-15, 09:39 PM
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A lot of people see safety equipment as the only necessary preparation. In the OP's example... it would be hang-on and let it rip... speed and road conditions don't matter cause I am wearing a helmet.
Safety equipment is never the solution. Safety equipment is the back-up for when proper planning/practices fail anyway.
07-20-15, 11:05 PM
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Well, since helmets only need to meet a standard of surviving a six foot fall, the amount of energy they reduce (for sure) is pretty minimal. Once upon a time we calculated it here and a helmet reduced the impact force on the head only such that a 40mph impact with helmet was like a 35 mph without helmet. So...if strapping on a helmet encourages a rider to go faster, as studies have shown, then he's no safer than the helmetless guy who goes a little slower.
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07-21-15, 12:47 AM
#25
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You do not want to crash period. 30mph and not crashing is always, always the right move over taking big risks at 40mph even with a helmet... A lot more things besides your head can crack with a crash. Like arms, road rash, legs, collar bones, none of which a helmet prevents.