Something I didn't realize was that when you are in an accident that stops your bike suddenly, your legs are brushed up as you go over the handle bars. This starts your body rotating and the point of impact is most likely the point on your (or my) head. It did happen to me at a high rate of speed on a downhill section so I was glad I was wearing a helmet.

All that I had left of it was the chinstrap dangling from my glasses with a small piece of the helmet on each end. The rest was in tiny pieces that I didn't bother to pick up, not being a photographer. The impact was cushioned so well that I didn't even have a sore spot at that point, though that wasn't the end of my motion and I had a few other sore spots. I was really impressed with how well it had worked.

It was 2 or maybe at most 3 years old, so I think maybe breaking up on impact is to be expected? They don't seem strong and my impression is that you could just break one apart with your hands, but they sure work well. Just call me grateful to be alive.

best wishes, lloyd