Originally Posted by JimmyH

In the '70s through the '90s I never wore a helmet. That was for children learning to ride AFAIC. Then in 2004 I zigged when I should have zagged and went down at about 20 mph. Landed just between my scapula and the ball of my left shoulder and felt the sharp pain of my collar bone yielding to the impact.

The next thing to hit was the side of my head and for a split second I could see the asphalt coming with my peripheral vision. I actually tried to roll my head to the right with my neck muscles in that split second, but no soap. I heard that popping noise when skull meets hard surface and I'm pretty sure I was knocked unconscious for a time. I had learned riding at the velodrome that if you've gone down, and upon sitting up, if you can raise your hand/arm above your head, your collar bone ain't broke.

Unfortunately mine was, and I couldn't get my hand any higher than my shoulder. Arm in a sling, sleeping in a chair for 5 weeks. I was lucky that I didn't crack my skull. Since that day I never ride a bicycle without a helmet. Oddly enough a friend of mine who rides a fair amount of miles per day recently converted to no helmet road riding. He and I have debated the merits of helmets and he is with Grant Peterson, that they are not worth the trouble.