Helmets

"Succorso" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Number of times a buzzing insect has gone inside the vent slots in my helmet in the last 500
miles, causing me to panic, stop the bike uncontrollably and yank the thing off my head - at
considerable risk to others around me - 6

With a little practice you can remove your helmet and replace it without stopping.

Mark Burch

"Succorso" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well, doubtless this subject has been done-to-death here, and as a relative newbie I wouldn't dare
to rake up old stuff, but I have come to a decision.

I have decided not to wear a helmet anymore, when riding around rural Norfolk. Today I had two
further incidents with buzzing insects entering the ventilation slots. Unfortunately, you never
know whether the offending bug is the stinging kind or not, so I for one always give them the
benefit of the doubt and act with considerable immediacy.

So - my argument goes like this:-

Number of times wearing a helmet has saved my life in an accident during the last 500 miles
ridden - 0.

Number of times a buzzing insect has gone inside the vent slots in my helmet in the last 500
miles, causing me to panic, stop the bike uncontrollably and yank the thing off my head - at
considerable risk to others around me - 6

Ergo, wearing my helmet on quiet rural roads in summer is more dangerous than not wearing one.
Exit the helmet, enter the Buff...

--
Chris

....or, just face your fears and stop reacting so fiercely to the insects, 'cos presumably.....
Number of insects that have got caught in your helmet and stung you - 0

I suffered a similar incident to this and had my worst crash to date 'on-road' when an insect flew
into one of my helmet's vents. I'd just been looking at a local hooker, thinking 'never in a
million, not with mine, yours or my worst enemies' and when I looked back at the road, saw a flying
insect that looked awfully like at least a wasp, possibly a bee heading straight for my head. Before
I could say 'keep your eyes on the road', I felt the thing hit me head on, straight through me
vents. I tried shaking my head to help the little critter on it's way and looked up just in time to
see that I'd managed to change direction by about 45 degrees and was heading for a very solid
looking road-side tree at about 20mph. As it was about 15 feet away, I tried a 90 degree turn away.
No doubt those geniuses of you out there who can work these kind of things out will realise that
what with momentum and all, I flew, over the handlbars and managed to create a very entertaining
chinese puzzle twixt the bike and my limbs. I thanked god for my leather palmed cycling gloves (and
helmet ;-) at that moment. During the moments between landing and recovery to the point of
coherence, I had, what I thought at the time, was the greatest embarressment of the prostitute
asking if I was ok ?....Following a faster than light level 3 diagnostic check, I replied that I was
ok and refused her offer of physical assistance with a 'flat palm outwards' gesture. With regards to
the flying insect, I've got no idea what happened to it. I can only assume it flew on it's way at
some point during the aforementioned proceedings, totally unaware of the brief chaos it had caused
(hopefully!).

Since that time, logic has dictated (in my own sweet version of it) that I carry on wearing the
helmet. Every time I catch an insect in the vents now I merely smile to myself at the memory of that
incident. Here I am, 3 years later on, having caught numerous insects this way and not having yet
been stung (until tomorrow, of course ;-) and also not having reacted in a way that may cause damage
to anyone or anything else....

Dave.

p.s. - I support fully your right to do whatsoever you wish regards the wearing of helmets....and
lycra for that matter (wouldn't risk b*bsh*rts though ;-)....just thought it was an amusing
thread related story that needed to be recounted.

Mark Burch said:

With a little practice you can remove your helmet and replace it without stopping.

When I used to wear one I found myself taking it off and draping it over the bars on hot climbs...I
think that's what the strappy things are for ;-)

Quoted message said:

Unless you are prone to anphalactic shock this is an over-reaction. By your own admission you panic
and become a risk to others. Helmet or not, bicycle or motor vehicle, people like you cause
accidents.

Grow up or stay off public roads.

Or grow up and find a solution to the problem.. I think he just did oh mighty Superior Being(TM)

Mind wasps get stuck in hair too, most unpleasant.

Richard Webb

jt said:

"Peter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Idiot

"Succorso" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well, doubtless this subject has been done-to-death here, and as a relative newbie I wouldn't
dare to rake up old stuff, but I have come to a decision.

I have decided not to wear a helmet anymore, when riding around rural

[anecdotal evidence leading to: deleted]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ergo, wearing my helmet on quiet rural roads in summer is more dangerous than not wearing one.
Exit the helmet, enter the Buff...

Your experience matches thhat of the most recent and valid studies. Nice to see some people have
brains; I wonder what the others think they are protecting?

They're good in hailstorms...

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

;; of 90+ years of protection, but a cure for cancer, only 14? -- user 'Tackhead', in /.
discussion of copyright law, 22/05/02

"jt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Peter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Idiot

"Succorso" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well, doubtless this subject has been done-to-death here, and as a relative newbie I wouldn't
dare to rake up old stuff, but I have come

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a decision.

I have decided not to wear a helmet anymore, when riding around rural

[anecdotal evidence leading to: deleted]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ergo, wearing my helmet on quiet rural roads in summer is more

dangerous

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

than not wearing one. Exit the helmet, enter the Buff...

Your experience matches thhat of the most recent and valid studies. Nice

to

Quoted message said:

see some people have brains; I wonder what the others think they are protecting?

Oh, honestly!!!.....hitch-hiking insects of course!! ;-)

(RJ Webb) said:

Quoted message said:

Unless you are prone to anphalactic shock this is an over-reaction. By your own admission you
panic and become a risk to others. Helmet or not, bicycle or motor vehicle, people like you cause
accidents.

Grow up or stay off public roads.

Or grow up and find a solution to the problem.. I think he just did oh mighty Superior Being(TM)

Mind wasps get stuck in hair too, most unpleasant.

And have a rather distressing tendency to fly into open mouths. Or get sucked in maybe.

--
Tina Eager

Quoted message said:

I have decided not to wear a helmet anymore, when riding around rural Norfolk. Today I had two
further incidents with buzzing insects entering the ventilation slots. Unfortunately, you never
know whether the offending bug is the stinging kind or not, so I for one always give them the
benefit of the doubt and act with considerable immediacy.

I've also had insects in my helmet etc. etc. riding around rural Herts and

'twatted' my head in a collision with a van. I only wore one to appease my nagging wife as I was
convinced I'd never hit my head - and I cannot believe how totally wrong I was.

You may be lucky without a helmet - but you'll be luckier with one.

Greetings,

Here's my penneth worth; I couldn't imagine cycling without a helmet. Insects weigh a tiny portion
of a gram, and even if they sting you, in the UK there is little chance of it being deadly venomous.
If you feel a buzzing, there should be plenty of time to stop, and shake out your lid.

Cars, on the other hand, weigh a lot more then even a fat knacker like me, and hurt if they hit.
I've had 2 accidents in the last 5 years thanks to cars, one clipping me from behind, one cutting
across the front. One made off into the distance, the other I caught, and he was found guilty at
court of driving without due care. Both left me somersaulting over the bars, and in each case I was
glad of a helmet. Those few ounces of polystyrene and plastic may have shattered each time, but they
left me with only cuts and scrapes as opposed to concussions.

Ever thought of wearing the buff under the lid? It could keep the flies off your bonce.

T.T.F.N.

SPENNY

Quoted message said:

Ergo, wearing my helmet on quiet rural roads in summer is more dangerous than not wearing one.
Exit the helmet, enter the Buff...

--
Chris

"Tim Hall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Peter said:

Idiot

What? For top posting a single word comment and leaving the whole of the original post in?

and *top-posting*

Quoted message said:

Tim
--
In space no one can eat ice cream

Peter B said:

Grow up or stay off public roads.

I think this must apply to me as well. I have a phobia of spiders, I know it's irrational, that they
can't hurt me , they are more scared of me than I am of them ( untrue) etc etc ,etc... but it's till
there and I have in the past crashed a car through a roundabout because of it. How much more do I
have to "grow up" in you not so humble opinon before I will be allowed on the road?

--
Marc Stickers,decals,membership,cards, T shirts, signs etc for clubs and associations of all types.
jaceeprint.demon.co.ukjaceeprint.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

"Spencer Bullen" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

Ever thought of wearing the buff under the lid? It could keep the flies off your bonce.

If you don't have a Buff, there's always a scarf. Silk scarves are warm, thin, keep insects away and
pack down very small.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Ian
JohnB must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

Marc said:

Peter said:

Idiot

Moron!

Clearly a typical h*lm*t thread has emerged.
John B

LETS GET THIS BACK ON TRACK! We all know that helmets should be used by all, eh Guy? hehehe
--
Ian
catrike.co.ukcatrike.co.ukOpen ↗

Another famous post! What a winner!

"marc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think this must apply to me as well. I have a phobia of spiders, I know it's irrational, that
they can't hurt me , they are more scared of me than I am of them ( untrue) etc etc ,etc... but
it's till there and I have in the past crashed a car through a roundabout because of it. How much
more do I have to "grow up" in you not so humble opinon before I will be allowed on the road?

Well, seeing as you asked: The thought that I have to share the roads with people who crash their
cars because of native British spiders is worrying to say the least.

Pete

"Peter B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Succorso" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Number of times a buzzing insect has gone inside the vent slots in my helmet in the last 500
miles, causing me to panic, stop the bike uncontrollably and yank the thing off my head - at
considerable risk to others around me - 6

Unless you are prone to anphalactic shock this is an over-reaction. By your own admission you
panic and become a risk to others. Helmet or not, bicycle or motor vehicle, people like you cause
accidents.

Grow up or stay off public roads.

Yes, pretty harsh I know. My reply to the OP has required me to don my asbestos suit. Amazing really
how folks have sprung to the defence of a road user who admits he was a danger to all around, is
this because he's a cyclist by any chance? Would you be so defensive of a truck driver making a
similar claim, for example?

And yes, I do take the point that the OP has addressed the problem by not wearing a h*lmet so maybe
my response was redundant before it was posted but it still does cause some concern that a fellow
road user can't bring their vehicle to a safe, controlled stop when not physically incapacitated.
And the OP never mentioned phobias which I appreciate is a normal human condition.

Pete (now busily building a heat shield)

"RJ Webb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mind wasps get stuck in hair too, most unpleasant.

Something that I don't have to worry about, well head hair anyway. 🙂

Pete

Peter B said:

Quoted message said:

I think this must apply to me as well. I have a phobia of spiders, I know it's irrational,
that they can't hurt me , they are more scared of me than I am of them ( untrue) etc etc
,etc... but it's till there and I have in the past crashed a car through a roundabout because
of it. How much more do I have to "grow up" in you not so humble opinon before I will be
allowed on the road?

Well, seeing as you asked:

Yes....

Quoted message said:

The thought that I have to share the roads with people who crash their cars because of native
British spiders is worrying to say the least.

That wasn't an answer.

Waiting...

Peter B must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

"marc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think this must apply to me as well. I have a phobia of spiders, I know it's irrational, that
they can't hurt me , they are more scared of me than I am of them ( untrue) etc etc ,etc... but
it's till there and I have in the past crashed a car through a roundabout because of it. How much
more do I have to "grow up" in you not so humble opinon before I will be allowed on the road?

Well, seeing as you asked: The thought that I have to share the roads with people who crash their
cars because of native British spiders is worrying to say the least.

Pete

I would have to agree with Peter on this one, if you can crash a car to the detriment of other road
users just because of the precence of a harmless arachnid then you either need therapy for the
phobia or you need to stop driving full stop, next time you may kill someone.

--
Ian

catrike.co.ukcatrike.co.ukOpen ↗

(Marc) said:

Peter B said:

Quoted message said:

I think this must apply to me as well. I have a phobia of spiders, I know it's irrational,
that they can't hurt me , they are more scared of me than I am of them ( untrue) etc etc
,etc... but it's till there and I have in the past crashed a car through a roundabout because
of it. How much more do I have to "grow up" in you not so humble opinon before I will be
allowed on the road?

Well, seeing as you asked:

Yes....

Yup, I think you should have treatment for your phobia (which I believe is quite simple and
generally effective) before you drive again. And yes, I think you should be _required_ to. Other
groups who for medical reasons are in danger of suddenly losing control of the car are not permitted
to drive, and in your case the problem is treatable (and I believe is treatable on the National
Health Service).

Suddenly losing control of a ton of steel doing 60 miles per hour is not funny, and on roads as
crowded as ours are now the chances of someone else being killed are pretty high. If this is a real
risk then it is highly irresponsible of you not to seek treatment.

<URL: news.bbc.co.uk2179369.stmOpen ↗ > <URL:
londonpsychotherapy.co.ukinvivodesensitisation.htmOpen ↗ > <URL:
google.comsearchOpen ↗ >

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

;; no eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn. ;; Jim Morrison

Simon Brooke said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think this must apply to me as well. I have a phobia of spiders, I
> know it's irrational, that they can't hurt me , they are more scared of me than I am of them
> ( untrue) etc etc ,etc... but it's till there and I have in the past crashed a car through a
> roundabout because of it. How much more do I have to "grow up" in you not so humble opinon
> before I will be allowed on the road?

Well, seeing as you asked:

Yes....

Yup, I think you should have treatment for your phobia (which I believe is quite simple and
generally effective) before you drive again. And yes, I think you should be _required_ to. Other
groups who for medical reasons are in danger of suddenly losing control of the car are not
permitted to drive, and in your case the problem is treatable (and I believe is treatable on the
National Health Service).

Suddenly losing control of a ton of steel doing 60 miles per hour is not funny, and on roads as
crowded as ours are now the chances of someone else being killed are pretty high. If this is a
real risk then it is highly irresponsible of you not to seek treatment.

<URL: news.bbc.co.uk2179369.stmOpen ↗ > <URL:
londonpsychotherapy.co.ukinvivodesensitisation.htmOpen ↗ > <URL:
google.comsearchOpen ↗ >

None of which answered the question of "How much more do I have to "grow up" in you not so humble
opinon before I will be allowed on the road?

--
Marc Stickers,decals,membership,cards, T shirts, signs etc for clubs and associations of all types.
jaceeprint.demon.co.ukjaceeprint.demon.co.ukOpen ↗