NO helmets OFF required ?!

[Corsaire]

Have you guys noticed the last Stage to Courchevel (mountain top finish), no one, and I mean NO ONE took their helmets off?
Is this like a new rule this year ? I know last year all riders were required to have their helmets on allthe way to the finish, UNLESS it is an uphill finish on a mountain top, they could take it off at the base of the last climb.

Has this changed this year? I wonder....

Corsaire :eek:

[Laggard]

That exception is not in the UCI rules this year.

[Corsaire]

That exception is not in the UCI rules this year.


Let's see tomorrow's stage (to AX3 Domaines) if they take it off. If they don't, then it must be a new rule to keep their helmets on regardless of the type of finish. (flat, downhill or mountain top)

If so, I'd think that'd suck, I mean with that heat, climbing all out, in a race, to a mountain top finish with the helmet on it must feel like hell.

Corsaire :eek:

[Laggard]

Read the UCI rules. It only mentions taking helmets off when it's a mountain time trial.

[jfmckenna]

Axel Merckx and Johan Van Summeren were disqualified in Parice-Nice for removing there helmets.

[squeegy200]

Let's see tomorrow's stage (to AX3 Domaines) if they take it off. If they don't, then it must be a new rule to keep their helmets on regardless of the type of finish. (flat, downhill or mountain top)

If so, I'd think that'd suck, I mean with that heat, climbing all out, in a race, to a mountain top finish with the helmet on it must feel like hell.

Corsaire :eek:

Tell that to Fabio Casartelli's family

[Corsaire]

Tell that to Fabio Casartelli's family

That unfortunate accident happened between mountain passes, (not a mountain top finish), where he should've had his helmet on regardless. He had taken off his helmet just because it was short descent before facing another climb. After that regulations were enforced to wear helmets at all times unless a mountain top finish was on the stage.

Corsaire

[jfmckenna]

Remember when hockey players did not wear helmets? :)

Yes crazy but also personal choice. I think of Pantani's bald head. Those days are gone.

Finish climbs are relatively safe, in fact really safe. But I can see why the rules are in place. No one wants to see another racer die of head injuries.

[alanbikehouston]

Let's see tomorrow's stage (to AX3 Domaines) if they take it off. If they don't, then it must be a new rule to keep their helmets on regardless of the type of finish. (flat, downhill or mountain top)

If so, I'd think that'd suck, I mean with that heat, climbing all out, in a race, to a mountain top finish with the helmet on it must feel like hell.

Corsaire :eek:

I ride most afternoons in Houston in July and August. The heat index is often between 110 degrees and 120 degrees. I am MUCH cooler wearing a white or silver helmet than I am with a bare head or wearing a cloth cap. The helmet reflects the sun and the air channels in the helmet funnel the air over my head. I often pour water over the helmet. The helmet pads retain the water and help keep me cool.

Likewise, I wear white shirts with long sleeves, and trousers that cover my legs. As long as the sun is not directly on my skin or head, I am reasonably comfortable. The tribes who live in the Sahara desert of North Africa cover all parts of their head and body, except for the eyes. They know it is dangerous to run around under the blazing desert sun wearing short sleeves, shorts, and a bare head. It is only "mad dogs and Englishmen" who would expose their skin to the July sun in the desert.

[Contra Fixie]

It is only "mad dogs and Englishmen" who would expose their skin to the July sun in the desert.

well said.

[DocRay]

Tell that to Fabio Casartelli's family

Or we would have been telling that Beltran's family. His head impact yesterday was enough to kill him without a helmet.

Falling off your bike while stationary is enough to kill you if you hit your head.

It's old by now, but anyone who doesn't wear a helmet cycling has nothing to lose. I have similar arguments with motorcyclists, who never learn until after the accident.

[Crack'n'fail]

Or we would have been telling that Beltran's family. His head impact yesterday was enough to kill him without a helmet.

And, it's important to note, he was going uphill.