Road Cycling - Tour helmet question

Anybody know why at certain stages of the tour, Lance is sometimes wearing a helmet and sometimes. I get the time trail stuff, but other times, he is and sometimes not, just curious.

I believe that most riders remove helmets
for long climbs (but replace them for descents sometimes).
or if its really hot.
Expect to see that change soon, helmets all the time.

Marty

Yes they remove them for long climbs which I think is unfortunate.
Asa club racer we are made to wear them all the time, irrespective of heat or length of climb. The "no helmet no ride" policy prevails.

I think the tour riders should set an example for younger riders and keep their lids on. removal should be a disqualifying offence.


This is a contentious issue but I think the dangers are only to obvious. All this tlk about freedom of choice to wear or not to wear is bollocks! If i go into a construction zone at work I have to wear a hardhat. Into a lab and i have to wear safety shoes and glasses.
F1 drivers have to wear the HANS which can't be the most comfortable thing.

Pro cyclists should wear helmets, always. XC MTB racers wear them, why can't the roadies?

Originally posted by TimB
Yes they remove them for long climbs which I think is unfortunate.
Asa club racer we are made to wear them all the time, irrespective of heat or length of climb. The "no helmet no ride" policy prevails.

I think the tour riders should set an example for younger riders and keep their lids on. removal should be a disqualifying offence.


This is a contentious issue but I think the dangers are only to obvious. All this tlk about freedom of choice to wear or not to wear is bollocks! If i go into a construction zone at work I have to wear a hardhat. Into a lab and i have to wear safety shoes and glasses.
F1 drivers have to wear the HANS which can't be the most comfortable thing.

Pro cyclists should wear helmets, always. XC MTB racers wear them, why can't the roadies?
What? You bet freedom of choice. You don't like the helmet, don't wear it. You fall, injure your head, become a ****** it's you, no one else.

well thats a little selfish I think.

Chuvak - You are wrong. The cost to society is paid by all of us who have insurance and pay taxes. You fall and smack your head and end up a vegatable then insurnace or some government assistance program pays to keep you breathing for years after having spent half a million $$ nursing you back to a vegatative state. And that is all either insurance or tax dollars coming out of my and everyone elses pockets. So it is not on you. It is on us all. That is why I support manditory helmet laws for all types of cyclists. If we could simply spend every cent that you and your family have, including forcing them to sell ALL of your/their property and then take out loans that your immediate family is forced to pay off for the rest of their life before we spend my money, I might feel a bit differently. That or simply throw you in ditch (or your daughter or son or whomever decides not to wear a helmet) rather than give you a million $$ worth of life support.

I am tired of paying for others stupidity and "freedom". I don't think you are free to spend my and others money when it is a lifestyle choice issue.

Forgot to mention that the lastest I read on the helmet thing for pro riders in Europe is that they will be allowed to not wear helmets in certain instances or the penalties will be so small that they will inconsequential in these instances, such as climbing in hot weather. Sounds like this rule could end up being mostly PR and have a heavy "weasel factor" involved. Probably take another death to make it a real rule.

Also, did you notice most of the photos of Vinokurov "riding for his friend, Kivilev" show him riding without his helmet.

For the record, cyclists in France are not required to wear helmets. Cyclists in Belgium are. Some of the stages are not held in France.....

I'll second PS words on the cost to society.
Also these selfish cyclists who feel it is their "freedom" to ride without an helmet gives everyone on a bike bad name.

Personally I wish every government would make it mandatory for anyone riding bicycle to wear a helmet.

No Helmet sir, We'll take the bike thank you. Come and get it when you have a helmet.

The thing that amazes me is that in some states it's not illegal to wear a motorcycle helmet. I can understand that if you're trundling along at 12mph an a bike path it might seem silly to wear a helmet, or even an experienced pro rider on a climb is not likely to crash on the way up it. I also agree that I think they should set an example, but people on motorcycle's are routinely going 60mph, something which is extremely rare for a cyclist. It hardly seems we can enforce bicycle helmets if motorcycle helmets aren't enforced

I think wearing a helmut shoudl be required, but it does costs us in a way. Do you know that because of the helmut laws were being put into effect on motorcycles it was harder to come by orgains! So if you decide not to wear a helmut be sure to fill out your donor card so we can make some use of you.