Yet another "WEAR YOUR HELMET" story & Brooks <3 <3
10-21-05, 12:07 PM
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Not freewheelin'
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Yet another "WEAR YOUR HELMET" story & Brooks <3 <3
I'm a bike commuter, and I have epilepsy. Normally, I've been lucky enough to keep those two parts of my life separate, but..
A few days ago, as I left my house, I mused, "It's a nice day, maybe I'll just go without my helmet. Plus, all the hipsters ride that way- they probably think I'm a goon with this thing on..". Luckily, that foolish train of thought stopped, and I put it on.
As I cruised on my fixie down the road to the train station a couple of minutes later, I blacked out then came to in an ambulance. I'd had a seizure while riding and fallen over on my right. My knee was pretty bashed up and my chest had a good bruise, but nothing broken. The handlebars slightly bent, tape shredded. The rest of my beloved bike was alright, apart from the front wheel going a bit out of true.
Worse yet, my laptop in its bag on my back was sickeningly smashed into a shallow curve- screen shattered, internals luckily still alive enough to glean data from.
My helmet had a large dent in its plastic-coated section. I realized over time that my head might have had a rather larger dent in it had I not been protected.
So, doc/ambulance bills and computer replacement not withstanding (rassle-frackin'-fricker-frackker!&$), I do feel plenty lucky to be alive and without serious injury, and I owe a rather large debt to my trusty helmet. Wear them, folks, even for dumb commuting tasks. You never know when fate might strike.
A question- the helmet is still structurally sound (owing to bell's tough intercasting process, I'd imagine). Do I need to trash it immediately and get a new helmet? I've put quite a bit of pressure on it to test and there are no cracks or anything- just a bit of a smoosh on one side.
---
As an aside, I'd like to join in the waxing lyrical about Brooks saddles happening here. I'm a ~185lb rider and I picked up a B17 standard-width a little while back. Some 80 miles later, sure enough, it is so comfortable I look forward to riding just to interface with it. Some have said that heavier riders seem to have better initial experiences with them- it's certainly been my experience.
The slipperiness was annoying for the first week of riding but it's lessened now. It's vitally important to get saddle height and tilt correct with these- for the most part I seem to have the best feel with a straight-across tilt and a seatpost height just under where I sat with my old gel monstrosity (owing to the tall rails on the Brooks more than anything, probably).
There's just something about the look that makes my bike look fricking serious, as well.. Petty, I know.
Much love,
fdj
A few days ago, as I left my house, I mused, "It's a nice day, maybe I'll just go without my helmet. Plus, all the hipsters ride that way- they probably think I'm a goon with this thing on..". Luckily, that foolish train of thought stopped, and I put it on.
As I cruised on my fixie down the road to the train station a couple of minutes later, I blacked out then came to in an ambulance. I'd had a seizure while riding and fallen over on my right. My knee was pretty bashed up and my chest had a good bruise, but nothing broken. The handlebars slightly bent, tape shredded. The rest of my beloved bike was alright, apart from the front wheel going a bit out of true.
Worse yet, my laptop in its bag on my back was sickeningly smashed into a shallow curve- screen shattered, internals luckily still alive enough to glean data from.
My helmet had a large dent in its plastic-coated section. I realized over time that my head might have had a rather larger dent in it had I not been protected.
So, doc/ambulance bills and computer replacement not withstanding (rassle-frackin'-fricker-frackker!&$), I do feel plenty lucky to be alive and without serious injury, and I owe a rather large debt to my trusty helmet. Wear them, folks, even for dumb commuting tasks. You never know when fate might strike.
A question- the helmet is still structurally sound (owing to bell's tough intercasting process, I'd imagine). Do I need to trash it immediately and get a new helmet? I've put quite a bit of pressure on it to test and there are no cracks or anything- just a bit of a smoosh on one side.
---
As an aside, I'd like to join in the waxing lyrical about Brooks saddles happening here. I'm a ~185lb rider and I picked up a B17 standard-width a little while back. Some 80 miles later, sure enough, it is so comfortable I look forward to riding just to interface with it. Some have said that heavier riders seem to have better initial experiences with them- it's certainly been my experience.
The slipperiness was annoying for the first week of riding but it's lessened now. It's vitally important to get saddle height and tilt correct with these- for the most part I seem to have the best feel with a straight-across tilt and a seatpost height just under where I sat with my old gel monstrosity (owing to the tall rails on the Brooks more than anything, probably).
There's just something about the look that makes my bike look fricking serious, as well.. Petty, I know.
Much love,
fdj
10-21-05, 12:11 PM
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Crapzeit!
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Originally Posted by fixiediskjockey
A question- the helmet is still structurally sound (owing to bell's tough intercasting process, I'd imagine). Do I need to trash it immediately and get a new helmet?
m.
10-21-05, 12:17 PM
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good to hear that you are ok, and...yea...that computer screen is luckily the least of all possibilities of something going bad.
never owned a helmet in my life. all this forum helmet talk is making me really consider it.
and yea...I think leather saddles are fresh too. I hope to get one soon after I get outta limbo from the rear hub I just copped.
never owned a helmet in my life. all this forum helmet talk is making me really consider it.
and yea...I think leather saddles are fresh too. I hope to get one soon after I get outta limbo from the rear hub I just copped.
10-21-05, 12:19 PM
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get a new helmet immediately. they are supposed to be replaced after any anccident as they're designed to be one-shot deals.
10-21-05, 12:23 PM
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Giro will give you a discount on a replacement if that's what you have. Don't even think about not replacing it.
10-21-05, 12:24 PM
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Thanks, ok, I will get a new bucket. Something tells me $29 is worth it for continued protection! (it was a cheap Bell)
Cheers,
fdj
Cheers,
fdj
10-21-05, 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by dolface
get a new helmet immediately. they are supposed to be replaced after any anccident as they're designed to be one-shot deals.
10-21-05, 12:36 PM
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The wierdest part about not being around for the accident (blacked out) is wondering how in f#(% i got TWO identical circular 3" road rashes on my knee area, one above the other.
What, did I bounce off the ground or something? Bleh. I can not walk so well right now.
..of course I rode to work this morning (my girlfriend probably thinks I'm nuts)
What, did I bounce off the ground or something? Bleh. I can not walk so well right now.
..of course I rode to work this morning
(my girlfriend probably thinks I'm nuts)
10-21-05, 12:45 PM
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I def. scream out for helmet use - after losing a front wheel (poorly adjusted quick-release) and slapping my head into the pavement i became epileptic (the last of a number of head injuries). i was not wearing a helmet at the time and regret it every morning when i have to take pills i hate just to keep from having any seizure trouble
10-21-05, 12:54 PM
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how about when you see that guy..
you know the guy i'm talking about,
the guy with the t-shirt, tinted sunglasses, 80's fucia fannypack and throwback 10speed,
the guy with his helmet on backwards
what do you say to him?
Do you tell him in the hope that he changes it around?
Or do you let darwinian fate have its way?
me, i just point and laugh.
/afk going to hell
you know the guy i'm talking about,
the guy with the t-shirt, tinted sunglasses, 80's fucia fannypack and throwback 10speed,
the guy with his helmet on backwards
what do you say to him?
Do you tell him in the hope that he changes it around?
Or do you let darwinian fate have its way?
me, i just point and laugh.
/afk going to hell
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10-21-05, 01:13 PM
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hahahah
yeah that guy!
nice one eddie
yeah that guy!
nice one eddie
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10-21-05, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by dolface
get a new helmet immediately. they are supposed to be replaced after any anccident as they're designed to be one-shot deals.
10-22-05, 12:10 PM
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no one else is going to say maybe you shouldn't be riding a bike in traffic if you could have epilitec seizures while riding, with no notice?? i'm sure glad i don't cross your path to work every day.
10-22-05, 03:51 PM
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motorcycle helmets are suppoesed to be replaced or sent back for testing if you even drop them... i'd imagine bike helmets are similar...
and how the **** do people put on helmets backwards? i find them uncomfortable enough the right way...
and how the **** do people put on helmets backwards? i find them uncomfortable enough the right way...
