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Be careful out there!
Just had some sad news from one of my best friends; her brother was in a cycling accident, hit his head on a curb and is now in a coma. Apparently massive brain swelling with a very poor prognosis. He wasn't wearing a helmet and I don't know what difference it would have made, but I doubt it would have made things worse. I don't always wear my helmet, but maybe I'll start. At any rate, stay safe!
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NC State Director of Mental Heath Services, killed on the 4th on his bike. Hit from behind by a logging truck.
Careful, everyone, especially as the heat can sap your attentiveness..... |
My wife suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke about 7 years ago. Ever since her recovery, she has been a part of our local brain injury support group. There are a fair amount of people in there who are victims of not wearing helmets.
One girl is only about 22 and was riding her bike and hit a curb and went face first into the ground and ended up losing ALL her memories. Long recovery for her. I always wear my helmet. |
I hate my helmet, every time I wear it, and I wear it every time I ride!
I am absolutely convinced that my helmet saved my life, in 2002, when I took a serious header over the bars, flipping the bike, and crushing my helmet flat. Broke my neck in two places, had to stand up to fend of three robbers (they ran away as soon as I stood up) and then carry my bike, up a steep bank and over a guard rail, so that I could seek help from passers by. My neck still hurts. |
Originally Posted by randyjawa
(Post 14448184)
I hate my helmet, every time I wear it, and I wear it every time I ride!
I am absolutely convinced that my helmet saved my life, in 2002, when I took a serious header over the bars, flipping the bike, and crushing my helmet flat. Broke my neck in two places, had to stand up to fend of three robbers (they ran away as soon as I stood up) and then carry my bike, up a steep bank and over a guard rail, so that I could seek help from passers by. My neck still hurts. I've hit my helmet twice and I don't know how much difference it made, but it could have only been worse if I had no helmet - both times going over the handlebars, but not hitting hard.. Had someone try to convince me that helmets were of absolutely no use. I mentioned I've had personal experience with a helmet making a difference - he didn't seem impressed. |
Sorry to hear about those who were injured. Prayers for them and their families.
It's unfortunate, but true that helmets cannot prevent all head injuries, but they do help. Even if they don't prevent an injury entirely, they often decrease the severity. I wear a helmet every time I ride though I realize that there is just so much I can ask from it in an accident. |
A friend of mine was found unconscious by the road while descending Mt Diablo couple weeks ago. After spending a few days in the hospital he still has symptoms, but should make a full recovery. I would hate to think what would have happened without a helmet.
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Glad to hear your friend's brother will be OK. I never leave the house without my helmet, well with the bike atleast. I just have to laugh everytime I see a bicycleist or a motorcyclist riding down the road with a helmet on the bars or strapped to the seat. Idiots!! If you have it wear it.
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A friend of mine once said " those who don't wear a helmet have nothing to loose upstairs anyway."
Wear the helmet! I work in a trauma hospital, in surgery--wear your F'ing helmet or stay on the couch! I won't get near a bike without mine--more afraid of my wife and daughter being pissed than anything:thumb: I tell my kids--everything you see is tougher than you! The ground, that tree, this pencil, that clipboard--everything can hurt you so watch your a$$ and be careful, not stupid. Because IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU--ya' think your special? Charmed? Lucky? Smarter? A better rider than that person that got hurt? More experienced? BULLSPIT!! Everybody crashes, everybody. I am truly sorry about the accidents and those who got injured, I hope the best for all. Let's all think about them and try not to become a post on a website by one of our friends/lovedones because we decided one day that is was a short ride and didn't think a helmet was necessary. We all need every advantage we can get out there!:) |
My sister's arm, last Thursday after an event on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. 4 days in Boston's Brigham's and Women's Hospital. One surgery down, another to go in the near future. The EMT who attended to her described the rail trail as a "blood bath" during the crowded summer months. It's a multi-use path but the multi-users aren't getting along. I won't blame the trail, it could have happened on any local road.
Of course, helmets were worn, she (and I) were lucky. My best wishes and prayers to all of the above cyclists. Scott http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...sc/file-38.jpg |
Prayers sent. I hate my helmet but I wear my helmet.
Mutt |
Moderators:
Please move this discussion to "The Helmet Thread" in A&S. It is not specific to C & V. |
Originally Posted by prathmann
(Post 14448992)
Moderators:
Please move this discussion to "The Helmet Thread" in A&S. It is not specific to C & V. Now it's allowed in the C&V section :) |
I started wearing a helmet when the Bell Biker came out. Now, that is real C&V! I still wear a helmet but now it's a modern Giro.
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yea, and most of us are old enough to be C&V. Keep the thread here, it's a good topic for any forum.
Scott |
Not sure how much good those old leather strap helmets were, but I wore one faithfully after a bad header in the 70s. When I returned to riding after many years, I was glad the helmets were much better.
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Moderators, leave the thread where it is. The helmet thread in A&S is a swamp of denial infested by anti-helmet zealots.
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Originally Posted by Paramount1973
(Post 14449522)
Moderators, leave the thread where it is. The helmet thread in A&S is a swamp of denial infested by anti-helmet zealots.
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Originally Posted by prathmann
(Post 14449595)
Which is exactly why this crap belongs there. That thread was specifically intended to leave all the discussion of that type in one place rather than have it permeate all the other sub-forums.
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Originally Posted by scotjonscot
(Post 14449691)
Crap? I merely wanted to wish all of my like minded(when it comes to choices in bikes) BF members a safe ride.
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Sad news, I hope your friend's bro is ok.
Some years ago my older brother passed away due mainly to head injuries from falling over in class and hitting his head on the edge of his desk, head injuries are tricky, horrible, unpredictable things. I was riding to work on Thursday and ended up going over the hood of a car who's driver didn't look before pulling out of a side street in front of me, I was glad my helmet hit the ground and not my head (and glad I was on my commuter and not something I can't replace!). Helmets sure look stupid, but sometimes they can make the difference. Ride safe everyone. |
Originally Posted by scotjonscot
(Post 14449691)
Crap? I merely wanted to wish all of my like minded(when it comes to choices in bikes) BF members a safe ride.
None of these topics is related to whether a person has an interest in older bicycles and therefore they shouldn't be the focus of a thread in C&V. |
Originally Posted by prathmann
(Post 14449595)
Which is exactly why this crap belongs there. That thread was specifically intended to leave all the discussion of that type in one place rather than have it permeate all the other sub-forums.
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prathmann makes a good point, just because the "anti-helmet" zealots are in A&S doesn't mean it's okay to be a "pro-helmet" zealot here. I for one would love to wear a helmet that would actually work but I would look silly wearing a full-face MOTORCYCLE helmet. and as many love to point out everything I do is image driven.
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Older bicycle or not...wear the d-a-m-n helmet.
I destroyed (2) Giro Prolights in the last 12 months... 1) Solo accident on my '95 Batavus Pro sprinting hard and hit a pothole/depression while in the drops...over the bars...helmet crushed at base of skull...slight headache...continue down the road to my volunteer time at my son's school (complete with destroyed kit and some scraped componentry. :( ) 2) Lady decided I was invisible and made a right turn straight thru me (Y in road)...I was on my '89 Pinarello which was luckily unharmed (minus some scrapes on hoods/pedals/saddle corner)...took a dive...helmet crushed at base of skull...continued onto work...another destroyed kit, and $150 Oakleys (gift from LBS/buddy)...slight headache, serious rash on right azz/leg. |
Originally Posted by acoffin
(Post 14449840)
Why are you bringing the hate?
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I hammered it into my kids to always were a helmet so much that they enjoy wearing their helmets so much that they'll wear then for hours inside the house. My son at four is a die hard helmet rocker as sometime I have to tell him to take it off at the table eatting meals. I catch him quite a bit fully decked out in his race duds. These are pretty funny to say the least...
Eatting lunch http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/...e/DSCN5237.jpg Playing some games on the computer http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/...e/DSCN5242.jpg Taking a break and watching TV with his younger sister http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/...e/DSCN5238.jpg The hard day of a kid racer http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/...e/DSCN5239.jpg |
Originally Posted by prathmann
(Post 14449826)
My comment was not directed at your OP which was pretty neutral. But like minded when it comes to choices in bikes doesn't imply like minded on a host of other issues, some of which are known to result in rather contentious discussions. That's why there are separate sub-forums to discuss things like the desirability of carrying firearms while riding, whether we should support 'ObamneyCare' (or whatever one wants to call it), and whether we should all wear a helmet every time we're near a bike but almost never at other times.
None of these topics is related to whether a person has an interest in older bicycles and therefore they shouldn't be the focus of a thread in C&V. |
Bought my daughter her first decent bike helmet this afternoon, and ordered two for my youngest sons at the LBS. I asked my wife to go to the LBS and pick one out for herself as well. Last week we had finally given up on the freebies that a local hospital gave us when the kids were younger. I've always insisted that they wear helmets on bikes and scooters. I had been researching bike helmets for the past few days but worried about plunking down all of that money at once. Today, it became a priority.
I hadn't been riding regularly since I had meniscus surgery on my knee in March, but today I decided that I had to get out before it was too hot to ride. I need to start building back up to my commute. I wasn't planning to go far and didn't really have a route in mind other than to start down the Fox River Trail here in Appleton. Shortly after I left my neighborhood and entered the trail, I saw someone down on the trail and people gathered around him. Then I became aware of the siren in the distance. As I approached, one person was talking on a phone, another had gloves on and was holding a first aid kit. The man on the ground wasn't moving. Nearest the cross street there was a wheel, then some of his hair, a man in his late 30's or 40's, his bike missing the front wheel, and his handlebar bag, all in a line stretching 30 feet. Blood pooled under his head and his eyes were slightly open but fixed, and he wasn't moving. The person in gloves said he had a pulse. The firefighters arrived first, stabalized his head, intubated him and began rescue breathing with a bag valve mask. The paramedics arrived next and added oxygen and a heart monitor, then put him on a back board. Shortly before moving him, one of the firefighters began compressions. That is when I began crying. I walked over to the bike bag when one of the firefighters began checking through it. He had no ID in his bag, 2 bibles, and some tools in a side pocket. I wondered if he was on his way home from an early morning bible study class. Soon, a police officer arrived and found the man's cell phone in the bag. They were not taking him to the nearest hospital, but to an area trauma center that has a helicopter. It took me a while to collect myself after the rescue squad pulled away. I lingered while the firefighters picked up their belongings. The other bystanders asked the officer if he needed anything from them. He told them they could go. I knew what had happened. The front quick release was loose, and when he crossed the crown of the street the wheel came off. He must have been moving fairly fast, but we all know it doesn't take a lot of speed to go down hard when the front wheel looses traction, and he suddenly didn't have a front wheel. He wasn't wearing cleats so when the fork hit the ground there was nothing slowing his flight over the handlebars striking his head on the blacktop trail. Even with a helmet, that would have resulted in some serious injuries. And I began to think about what I was carrying. No wallet, no first aid, no ID. Just my cell phone. I always wear the helmet. And I thought about my wife's decades old helmet, my kids not having helmets, and none of them knowing how to do an ABC quick check. And I rode the short distance back home to reflect, and to make the purchase I had been procrastinating on. Tomorrow, my kids get a bike check clinic from me so they know more than to check their tires for air before they ride. They will wait to ride for a few days until the LBS gets their helmets we ordered. My wife and daughter get a road riding lesson as well. Meanwhile, I'll be wondering who the man is, and praying for him and his family. |
Originally Posted by prathmann
(Post 14449873)
There certainly wasn't any "hate" just a request that topics be kept in their proper place, especially topics that are contentious and unrelated to the subject of a particular sub-forum. 'Paramount' described the discussion in the helmet thread as a 'swamp' but apparently still wanted to keep only one side of the discussion here. In practice that doesn't usually work - once one side starts going on and on about something the other side feels a need to be heard as well. There have already been hundreds (prob. thousands in all) of pages back and forth on the helmet topic over in A&S - there's no need to have it proliferating to other sub-forums so they can all become 'swamps.'
Here in the C&V sub-forum, we tend to be friendly and welcoming to all kinds of subject matter, even when slightly off topic. |
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