Casually Deliberate embodied to the bones.
There are three subjects you should not bring up in new company: Politics, Saddle Bags, and Helmets. In my experience, in fact, politics are a much safer subject with a stranger than that of the cursed EPMS; no subject I’ve ever broached has been met with more vitriol. Except maybe the use of helmets. I’m not going to advocate for helmets today, apart from stating that I wear one religiously. On the contrary, today’s lesson is about how bad helmets look.
They are monumentally awkward contraptions whose design heritage stems, apparently, from prototype simian Astronaut technology. Starting with the flowing locks of a champions paving a road in pure V, every head accessory looks slightly less awesome. From there, the cycling cap is the most stylish option, and barring that, the hairnet (ideally over a cycling cap.) Case closed, end of discussion.
The maturation from this ideal has been painful, complete with puberty and oozy zits. A friend of mine in highschool had such a horrible pubescent experience that he spent an alarming number of days with band-aides on his face. Cycling’s helmet evolution was worse. Observe.
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EEGADS!
I've been cycling for over 40 years and I've worn them all: from the leather hairnet, to the Bell V-1 Pro (ouch, very heavy), to the skid lid (sans visor), to a very nice upper echelon Specialized topper.
There was even a time when it was cycling cap only. But as I grew older, I became a bit more self-aware and wanted not for my noggin' to look like a busted pumpkin post-halloween. Here in Florida, current laws require only children under the age of 16 to wear an approved helmet. The rest of us, well, we're subject to our own foolishness.
@chuckp
Being a fan and wanting to ride in that shit are two different things. Anyone who watched Chiappucci and Pantani race in that is going to have some heartstrings tugged at when we see that stuff.
Ouch.
Less "ouch", but not good either.
@frank
Yeah, it's kinda that inside voice/outside voice thing isn't it? You might like the faux denim, but to write it out . . . masturbation principle applies.
That top pick of Chiapucci? Wow. Makes Kelly's Brancale look good and that's saying something!
@MangoDave
They see you getting your hair done and a manicure?
@wiscot
Marco is being drawn into an interpersonal interaction by someone who could charm a cinder block into submission. Of course he's uncomfortable.
One new hazard I've encountered from the aero road lids is the intermittent jet of sweat ejected from it, usually arced just right to get you in the face. On group rides this isn't an issue (just stay in front of them) but in the peloton it's not as easy.
They are growing on me though.
@wiscot
Well, maybe, especially after they see my shaved legs it's probably easy for them to make that assumption. But I was going for the "wearing a giant dome thing on my head" visual concept. I'm digging myself a deeper hole, aren't I?
And in 5,4,3,2,1 Go ........
If you're hard enough, you can get away with anything.
http://www.planet-x-usa.com/files/px/imagelibrary/blog/Hinault_Photo_Story_23.jpg
Well, except one of those POCs.