A local racer passed away after hitting a light pole during a sprint. That was on a closed course with no lead or follow vehicles. Helmets required at all times while on a bike in the venue.

Racing is more dangerous than plain old bike riding needs to be, of course.

What are you, a cheap lawyer? The post in question wasn't commenting about helmets, it was about how someones great skills will prevent a life long accident free cycling adventure. Reread post 8272 and see if you can comprehend why I responded to that post the way I did...I have a strange feeling you can't comprehend it.

No doubt, I am dumb as a rock. Thanks for pointing that out lest I think otherwise.

Being a pro bike racer does not automatically equate to being a great bike handler. In my short time racing with the professionals, there were several riders who were well-known as dangerous guys to be around. Of course, if we are to insist that every pro bike racer is a bike handling wizard, then that makes me a bike handling wizard, doesn't it? Or would you argue that bike handling skills disappear when the license expires?

At any rate, the whole "godlike abilities" thing is a red herring. Nobody is claiming that you have to have super-human abilities in order to avoid a fall. Some of us are just trying to point out that competent bike handlers don't have to fall off their bikes and land on their heads all the time. The fact that some of you equate that ability to "god-like powers" is actually kind of sad.

Finally, the riders listed (with the exception of the two guys who lived and died a hundred years ago) were wearing helmets when they were killed. Aside from the obvious idiocy of using dead bike riders as an argument for wearing helmets, it illustrates a point some of us have been trying to make for years: bicycle helmets are not adequate protection from motor vehicles and anyone who believes otherwise is being dangerously foolish. The only way for a cyclist to avoid danger from motor vehicles is to stay completely away from them.

Reading comprehension:

I think we need to do a helmet thread RIDE and see where we all have gone wrong...

Edit

@paulpdx What's most interesting about your story, is that you only seem to take away from it that the guy should have worn a helmet. No words wasted on pointing out the obvious, namely that the accident could have been prevented altogether if he hadn't been "walking" an untrained dog with a bicycle.

Edit

Because you might take a gentle fall in the grass and crack your head open?

I used to practice break-falls and shoulder rolls on the pavement, a reasonable step after learning the basics in the dojo in my opinion. It's beginner stuff, not god-like.

It's crazy to me that anyone could put that much emphasis on wearing a helmet and never bother to learn how to protect himself. Learning how to handle the bike well enough to reduce the chances of hitting the ground in the first place would be another smart move, if a little more difficult. I am just amazed at the idea of taking the least effective measure of putting on a helmet, disregarding literally all of the the more effective measures, and then scoffing at those who do protect themselves.

Edit

You implied strongly that the dog was untrained by telling us the animal caused the bicycle crash.

They can usually also be prevented, like in this specific case.

I think you missed the point by failing to notice this accident could have been easily prevented. Also, I find it fairy hard to believe someone "cracked his head open" (could you be more specific here?) by just falling on grass.

edit...

If it seems silly, it's because your reasoning has failed, not because someone misunderstands.

Reading through other threads in this forum I actually see a lot of hostility and arguments. Reading this just confirms it: http://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...-s-thread.html

I'll just find another bike forum to join. You all really aren't nice.

So why did you jump into the the most argumentative thread of the most dogmatic section of the site? That's why this thread is here, to capture all of that into one thread and quarantine it.

Look into the other sections, general, commuting, whichever corresponds with your interests.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396665
That feel I guess.

Where's that lion's helmet? He's just asking to crack his skull open.

forcing peope into acting nice... isnt all that nice, right ;)

Hey Everyone,
Well today I was out riding my Mt Bike. I descided to go down a rather steep but short grassy hill. Bad idea. The front wheel hit a hole, and over the handlebars I go... the bike, landed conviently on my head. Fortuantly I was wearing my helmet.
In other news, I need a new helmet.
Also:
Do manufactures want crashed helmets returned to them for research and study? Or should I just trash mine?

Only if you were being chased by lions instead of water buffalo's....

This would be a harvest/weeds forum. Take what works for you...

Well just think, if you hadn't been wearing that helmet you might have lived.

Hello everyone. Today I went for a bike ride. I did not fall. I did not hit my head. I do not need a new helmet.

In other words, today was like every other day of my life to this point.

<edit>In a way, I feel bad for those of you who never experienced the sport back when it was safe; back before it became "extreme" and crashing was considered a normal and expected part of the experience. But in a much bigger way, I am pissed at all you idiots who turned the sport into a crash-filled free-for-all; an outdoor spin class where matching kit and $10,000 bicycles are more important than pack manners and common sense.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm really not interested in your stories about how you can't manage to stay on a bicycle but thank god you were wearing a helmet. I just wish you all would live or die or whatever, just as long as you do it somewhere else.

Stay perfect my brother...