Originally Posted by SevenSpokes

No, I'm not trying to start a debate thread on here. Far from it! I have a question.

I've been watching a great deal of touring videos over the last few weeks as I dream about making an adventure around the world. One of the things I've noticed in many of the videos is that a lot of tourists have a helmet, but don't wear it. They often have it strapped to their trunk bags or what not; but often appear in other parts of the same video wearing it.

For those of you who do choose to wear a helmet sometimes, but not all the time, what are the deciding factors in your choice? Where do you stop and go 'No more helmet' or "Hmm, better put it on."

Originally Posted by Caretaker

When touring France I don't bring a helmet because I keep to quiet roads and it's not required by law. Motorists in France tend to be considerate to cyclists also. When in Spain I wear one because it's against the law not to. In Portugal last year I didn't bring one because it isn't required there even though at times I was only a couple of miles from Spain.

Generally I would be a lot less likely to wear one going up a steep hill in hot weather than coming down.