"John Forrest Tomlinson" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news
[email protected]...
> On Tue, 30 May 2006 22:56:15 -0700, "GaryG" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >"John Forrest Tomlinson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >news:[email protected]...
> >> On Tue, 30 May 2006 07:28:19 -0700, "GaryG" <[email protected]>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >"John Forrest Tomlinson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> >news:[email protected]...
> >> >> On Tue, 30 May 2006 03:27:43 GMT, foots <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> >Well, slamming my head against asphalt at 15 mph with a helmut on
and
> >> >> >not having one scratch (on the head) vs slamming my leg and butt
and
> >> >> >shoulder against the same asphalt at the same velocity at the same
> >> >> >time resulting in scrapes and burns, at every contact point, that
went
> >> >> >thru both layers of skin and one layer of expensive bib shorts is
> >> >> >enough evidence for me.
> >> >>
> >> >> It's pretty clear that wearing a helmet can prevent scrapes and
such.
> >> >
> >> >They why wouldn't you wear a helmet for that reason alone?
> >>
> >> The helmet is another thing to carry around, keep clean, mess up hair,
> >> etc. And can be hot. Scrape and bruises are rare and not necessarily
> >> worth preventing.
> >
> >I guess my experience with them is different than yours.
> >
> >Carrying them around? Not a problem (they sit nicely on my head).
>
> You wear yours indoors too when you're walking around? OK, at least
> that's consistent.
While off the bike, the helmet hangs easily over the bars. Or, if I'm just
off for a few minutes then yes, it stays on my head.
>
> >Keeping clean? Again, not a problem - a quick spritz of water on the
straps
> >and pads and they're good to go.
>
> That doesn't work for me. I have to wash the thing and let it dry.
>
> Do you do the same thing with other clothes -- give them a quick
> spritz with water and them put it on? And wear the same one every day
> without cleaning with soap? Frankly I think that's nasty.
Sounds like a personal hygiene issue...some people sweat heavily and/or have
sweat that smells badly. I've never noticed any undue odor from my pads and
straps, and rinsing them with water seems to take care of salt buildup on
the straps.
>
> >
> >Mess up hair? Not a problem for me .
> >
> >Can be hot? Sounds like you've not worn a modern well-vented helmet.
>
> No, sounds like you haven't ridden enough without a helmet on a hot
> day.
LOL - I live where it often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so I know
something about cycling in the heat.
> >Even
> >on the hottest days, overheating is rarely an issue (unless you ride very
> >slowly, which reduces the venting effects...perhaps that's your problem).
>
> I do ride very very slowly sometimes. When I'm riding to work in
> street clothes in the summer. Your comment about that being a problem
> is typical of the "roadie" mentality -- the attitude of too many
> primarily athletic riders who (consciously or subconsciously) view
> helmet wearing as part of their "gang colors." Helmets show they take
> the sport seriously.
Perhaps that's it then...it's a psychological thing...you're afraid of being
seen as part of the "gang" and use your helmet stance to stake your claim as
an outsider.
> There's more to riding than that.
> >
> >As is typical in these debates, it sounds like you're speaking from a
lack
> >of experience and/or simply looking for reasons not to wear a helmet.
>
> Yes, lack of experience. I mean, I've only ridden my bike across the
> United States, lived in China for a couple years and used it as
> primary transportation every day, been a bike messenger in New York
> City, am a category 2 racing cyclist and 2-time masters state road
> champion, have been on at least two racing teams where I got top-line
> helmets for free, and was a long-time bike commuter. Oh yeah, and
> former board member/officer of two of the oldest cycling clubs in the
> United States. And used helmets "religiously* for four or five years
> in the 1980s and still use them a lot (they're required in races and
> in some place I ride my bike).
I was just yanking your chain...your cycling bona fides are clearly well
established.
> So WTF do I know about helmets? Please give me some more advice -- I
> haven't experienced enough in cycling.
>
> And "excuses" for not wearing them? I think it's more appopriate to
> say there should be "reasons" for wearing them.
For most of us, their ability to mitigate risk is enough reason to wear
them.
> >As for scrapes and bruises to my head "not necessarily worth
preventing"...I
> >disagree. Even though the day to day risk are low, I still prefer to
wear a
> >risk mitigating device on my head (given that it's a mission critical
piece
> >of my cycling kit).
>
> Mission critical? So you're one of those people who would never ride
> without a helmet. That says a lot.
Slow down and re-read what I wrote, because you missed my meaning. It's my
"head" that's the mission critical piece of my cycling kit.
> >Because there are other risk-mitigating devices present (seatbelts and
air
> >bags).
>
> So if the general rule that if there are two risk mitigating devices
> present then you don't need any more? Or is it just one? That number
> seems pretty arbitrary.
Life's like that sometimes...
GG
> JT
>
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