The helmet issue is not very complicated for me. I always just strap it on.

In the last 14 months, I've "crash tested" two helmets. I can report to you that both times, the helmets successfully prevented
a skull fracture. :beer:

I do have a few problems with helmets, though:

1) I always worry if it's on straight. Almost nothing looks funnier than a crooked helmet.
2) If I happen to climb into the car with it on, I always smack it against the door frame. :mad:
3) Crashing with one on can leave weird looking markings on your head.
4) If I strap my helmet over my glasses, it makes them crooked, which looks even funnier than a crooked helmet.
5) What if I lose all my hair and forget my bandana? I've heard of "pattern baldness," but, "pattern sunburn?"
6) Helmets ruin some of your most potentially amazing stories, like, "Yeah, and see this scar? That's where they put in a titanium plate! My insurance covered the whole thing...go ahead, whack it with your finger one time."
7) Styrofoam is contibuting to the hole in the ozone layer (and I also feel funny spending 50 bucks for a chunk of styrofoam--at least it's cool looking styrofoam...)


Well, I guess I'm off to buy another spanky new helmet!

:D

JDP:

I was just trying to be funny. I am glad you felt comfortable bringing up the subject.

Glad to have you posting!

:thumbup:

I see you got a number of responses!

Here is the SIMPLE math.

it takes 10 lbs. of pressure to fracture your head!

If your skull hits the pavement from a standard 26 inch or road bike your head hits with 12 lbs. of pressure!

GET A HELMET!!!

What went wrong? Did you make an error? What was the catch?

Or was this also part of - trying to be funny?

In the first case, I was assaulted by a pedestrian. He stuck his fist in my path and I went over the bars and into the emergency room.

The second was last monday: I slipped on some railroad tracks in the rain.

Both times, my helmet actually saved me. No kidding.

arent YOU riding in traffic?

I went down 3 times already while crossing wet tram rails. They are so treacherous.

May I assume this individual was promptly torn asunder by an enraged mob of onlookers? Or at least scolded severely by authorities?

:mad:

-Rob

Clever. It's more of an insult to be called average than to be called stupid by Bumbaclat (considering the source).

thanks! i like to be clever, but i am not judgemental. you can do whatever you want there JDP. i figure Darwinism will sort the issue out fine:

if you make it through life with no helmet, perhaps you will pass on those fine skills or grace of luck to your children, and so on. the helmet laws will be reversed, and we will have you to thank. you will be our "Adam" of bike-handling-skills-in-traffic. future humans will view riders of today as inept.

or...

you'll be nicked off the road without the offending driver finding remains of your dura-matter and dura-ace perhaps, until he gets home after the 5pm jaunt home with the rest of the motorized populous. you will not have the chance to procreate to pass this - ah-hem - miscalculating mind on to your progeny, and if you have children already, they will most certainly recognize the error in your ways.

i have a hard enough worrying about the rock in my own helmet. good luck with yours!

PS: let us all think of the irony that instead of avoiding an action (biking period) that may potentially spill our brains all over the place, we say "hmm, i'll just wear this helmet, but damn it if i'm not gonna ride!!!" it's sort of all academic after you get out on the road eh?

I choose to wear a helmet. I do not concern myself with whether or not someone else does.