I commuted without a helmet yesterday, and it was really nice.

I realized, a couple blocks away from the house, that I had forgotten my helmet (usually it hangs from my commuter's stem-cap so I can't forget it, but this time it was hanging on my MTB after weekend riding). I decided it wasn't worth it to turn around.

It was pretty awesome. It's not that my helmet is uncomfortable, but it's a helmet. Even though it doesn't weigh much, the weight of it makes my head that little bit heavier. The visor obstructs my view that little bit, although only upwards where it doesn't 'matter'. There's lots of ventilation, but it still cuts down on the awesome feeling of breeze through hair.

The only thing I missed was my mirror. But the lack of that (and a helmet) kept me extra vigilant about the risky parts of my commutes (big intersections, freeway&lane crossings, left turns), and that extra vigilance probably made me more safe in the net.

I'm back to the helmet today (and going forward), and the helmet didn't bug me at all, but it sure was nice yesterday to have it off!

Next up: The joys of unprotected sex with HIV+ prostitutes.

I for one eagerly await the reasoned and even-tempered discourse on this subject.

I for one eagerly await your reasoned and even-tempered discourse about that subject.

But how did you survive. Didn't your head just explode?

Ruh-roh... do you know what a "dog pile" is? You may soon find out because THIS topic is only slightly less contentious than chain maintenance!

Yeah, I sometimes ride sans helmet and, like you, my helmet has a mirror... During the summer though, I value sun protection so I wear a brimmed hat, bigger than a fedora but smaller than a cowboy hat. Also, walking around in my hat is only SLIGHTLY less goofy looking than carrying my helmet like a purse...

GASP! NO HELMET??!!!

Cheated death, no doubt. You rebel. I bet you've rolled a stop sign or two.


-Kedosto

How many times do I gotta say IT'S NOT A PURSE, IT"S A MAN BAG!

-Kedosto
(Fredly Fashionista)

Well normally my helmet keeps my head contained, and even though I could feel my head expanding a little bit, the ride was not long enough to reach the point of assplosion. Sticking with the helmet going forward should keep me safe (and cars safe from cyclist brainsplatter on the sides of their cars)

I have taken to ditching the helmet for errand rides, no more than 1-2mi down our main street with bike lanes, wide empty sidewalks, many stoplights and 35 mph speed limits (posted anyways), so traffic is pretty calm. Especially at the times I'm out running errands, which is not rush hour. Always nice.

My commute though is along bigger, faster roads, full of cagers hellbent on 'winning' the race they seem to think they're in. I admit that probably there's only a negligible chance I'd be in an accident where a helmet would make a difference, but it certainly doesn't hurt anything to wear it.

Who me? No way man, it's not legal in CA (yet)

I don't get that.

Probably because I don't believe in Unicorns.

But you live on the cutting edge!

https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/...ie-the-unicorn

that's why the mirror goes on sunglasses, more flexible that way

I got about a mile once before I realized it - turned around. More than that and I probably would've kept going.

'Not gonna get into a debate about it, but yeah, the one or two times I have forgotten my helmet were some of the most enjoyable rides I have ever had. Maybe we should all lobby to have the roads and bike paths made out of helmet styrofoam...

If I'm all the way out the door, it's already too late to turn back for a helmet.

All my sex is unprotected. Of course I have been monogamous forever.
also i don't wear a helmet.

I counted three bikes listed under your avatar.

there are about 10 in my garage but i dont have sex with any of them....... as far as you know.

But...what if you forget your sunglasses? My mirror is on my bike. I can leave my helmet at home, AND forget my sunglasses.

With my bald head, at 6500ft in altitude, riding helmetless is just asking for sunburn, even in February. But If I'm working on my bike I'll take take a quick spin around the neighborhood to check my work, or I'll ride 2/3 of a mile to the store in street clothes and no helmet.

People always talk about that "wind in your hair" feeling, but the laminar airflow over a bald pate is most sublime.

Riding helmetless makes me feel naked, and like I'm cheating, so in that respect, I guess it's sexy.

But I'm definitely a helmet guy.