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-   -   Yesterday I watched my 15 year old take a spill. (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/138573-yesterday-i-watched-my-15-year-old-take-spill.html)

Bigmark 09-14-05 06:30 AM

Yesterday I watched my 15 year old take a spill.
 
We were on some deserted back roads, when we got to a tight bend. We were both going quite fast, OK, too fast, when his bike just slid out from under him. It was all I could do not to hit him or his bike, and I ended up literally in a corn field.

So here comes the argument maker. He jumps up, and checks his bike out, then notices his knee and elbow are scrapped pretty good. When I get out of the corn he is laughing at me, because he saw my face and could tell I was scared to death. I asked him if he was OK, and he said yea, but I will need a band aid. I again asked are you sure you are ok, and he said “Yea I am fine why?” With that I told him to take off his helmet and take a look.

It had a flat spot in it that looked like someone hit it with a 4X4. So I don’t care what anyone says, that damn $40.00 helmet most likely kept him from being in the hospital instead of just needing a couple of band aids and some Neosporin.

We checked out the bike, and re-adjusted the brake levers, pulled off the broke mirror, and headed to the LBS to get a replacement helmet.

Now the cool part. The LBS took the old helmet, and exchanged it with a new one, no charge. The sales clerk said he was going to put it on display.

Marylandnewbie 09-14-05 07:31 AM

Very cool about the LBS!! Even better that he was wearing that $40 helmet. They may not be perfect and they may not protect your head from everything, but for the money its hard to imagine riding without one. Glad to hear your son is fine. I bet he'll be a helmet advocate all of his life.

MadScientist 09-14-05 08:00 AM

my 11 yo daughter took a rough spill on her Gary Fisher and she did not ride for a year. She is back on and recovering from the fear. Her helmet was on, but her hip was bruised. I felt so bad and sad at her discoragement. But with some TLC she is back riding and will do a coastal tour this weekend if the Hurricane aftermath of rain doesn't spoil it.

Keep 'em ridein'

kudoes for your son!

jennyraye 09-14-05 10:29 AM

I was two miles into my ride this am when I reached up to touch my helmet....and it wasn't there :eek: Good grief!!!! How in the world did I forget that!?!?!?! :o I circled back slooooowly and had ds meet me at the end of the street with my helmet. His reaction was the same as mine--how could I forget? I knew something was wrong when I took off down the street, but didn't realize what it was right away! Thank goodness I didn't run into any trouble before I got my helmet where it should be.

Thanks for the reminder!!!!!!

Bigmark 09-14-05 01:39 PM

Yep it is a cheep way to keep your egg from getting scrambles.

DannoXYZ 09-14-05 02:17 PM

Glad your son came out OK. I've cracked a couple helmets in wrecks and I pretty much wear them around the house now. Anyone who don't think helmets work should be tested..

lilHinault 09-14-05 04:26 PM

I've wiped out several times with no helmet, my worst one, I don't remember, I remember just waking up in the hospital - I think I had a concussion, although I felt myself all over repeatedly and no "goose egg". What I did have, was evidence that I came down on my butt, hard. A small fracture up the center of my pelvis which caused some interesting problems. I surmise I got a concussion from the shock coming up the spine, the way some WWF wrestlers will plunk the other guy down on his butt and it knocks him out a bit. But who knows, my head could have whacked a car hood which is springy, would not have left a bruise but could have done it.

Anyway, these days I always wear my lid! I agree with danno, lids save too many lives, and keep so many wipe outs in the bandages vs. speech therapy range. And, a biggie, I feel a helmet enhances visability a lot.

As You Like It 09-14-05 05:08 PM

A week ago yesterday, I had a fairly dramatic wreck and bounced my helmet-clad head off the pavement. All the damage I scored was a couple of scrapes on my shoulder, roadrash on my calf, and a gigantic bruise on the side of my butt. My helmet barely even looked scratched or dented, but I distinctly recall my head bouncing when it hit the road.

I was wearing a cheapie Bell Era helmet--nothing fancy, but it did its job. I think I've even convinced my husband to wear a helmet now.

I also agree with lilHinault about the visibility aspect. People's heads tend to be pretty earthtone most of the time, but you can get yourself a nice bright blue or red or yellow or purple helmet that others will see from a ways off. Plus you can festoon them with reflector tape, which you can't do to your head!

bikejack 09-15-05 03:58 AM

They're cheaper than heads.

Bigmark 09-15-05 04:42 AM


My helmet barely even looked scratched or dented, but I distinctly recall my head bouncing when it hit the road.
Check the helmet VERY carefully, look at the foam on the inside, and also check the shell on the outside. Sometimes a helmet will look OK, but the foam that takes the shock gets squished rendering the helmet useless in the event of another crash.

I use to think it was a sales ploy when they say any crash that involves hitting the helmet on the pavement the helmet should be replaced. Until I saw the outside of a friends after he bumped it on his garage door. The shell was just scraped, but he could push the shell in where the foam was smashed. That would have been a big surprise if he didn’t notice it and fell on that side of the helmet.

As You Like It 09-15-05 08:24 AM

Oh, don't get me wrong, I got a new helmet the very next day. I know that just because the helmet doesn't look damaged doesn't mean that it wasn't structurally compromised in the wreck.

I mean, dude, my head bounced. That can't be good for a helmet!

RabidCyclist 09-15-05 07:01 PM


Originally Posted by Bigmark
..because he saw my face and could tell I was scared to death.

A couple of band-aids 30 cents.
Application of Neosporin 10 cents
A new helmet 40 dollars
Your son sees the scared look on you face and knows you love him - priceless


> Faster than the Speed of Dark<

SteveRogers 09-16-05 12:39 AM


Originally Posted by jennyraye
I was two miles into my ride this am when I reached up to touch my helmet....and it wasn't there :eek: Good grief!!!! How in the world did I forget that!?!?!?! :o I circled back slooooowly and had ds meet me at the end of the street with my helmet. His reaction was the same as mine--how could I forget? I knew something was wrong when I took off down the street, but didn't realize what it was right away! Thank goodness I didn't run into any trouble before I got my helmet where it should be.

Thanks for the reminder!!!!!!

Nice demonstration of how comfortable and unobtrusive a quality helmet can be.....like it's not even there.

Swami'sPrincess 09-16-05 02:22 AM

i've broken my bike's fall 2x in 9 months. The first one was at about 25 mph in a pelaton and I got toted off to the ER, cracked a brand new Giro Pneumo in 5 places. Sunday I crashed at like 15 mph and the new, new Pneumo looks like I got run over by a semi. It is broken severely in 6 places. I would be dead or worse if I had not had good protection. Switched over to a new Specialized with a carbon cage for the replacement. Equal opportunity crash testing! (I still have my back up patiotic Pneumo for the holidays-it's crash free.)

Bigmark 09-16-05 04:11 AM


I would be dead or worse
:roflmao:


Your son sees the scared look on you face and knows you love him - priceless
Yea, I hate to say it, but he has seen that face quite a few times.

MikeR 09-16-05 10:37 AM

Anyone who rides without a helmet should have his head examined - and probably will some day.


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