Keep this on the massage table
We all know where I stand in the cycling sock department, white and not too tall, any color sock as long as it’s white. If you have diminished calves and need to somehow hide that by wearing too tall socks, that is sad but not a crime. I always thought I was less flexible on color than height. Today I’ve changed my mind.
I was in the car when I saw a cyclist in a long sleeve, all white Rock Racing kit. Rock Racing, interesting choice, not a team I would want make believe I rode for but it was tidy. This was matched with a white helmet and white shoes and for an elitist snob like myself it was all fine. It would have been all fine barring the white knee length compression stockings! I don’t even know what compression stockings are or what they supposedly do but for his sake they had better not be just white knee length cycling socks. He had better have a severe medical condition to justify that look.
Doctor: You have a condition known as “Catholic School Girl”. If you don’t wear white knee socks your legs will fall off or you will become wildly promiscuous, but in your case most likely the first.
How can one misstep so quickly change everything? I’ve seen other cyclist in high compression socks but matching them to an all white kit is somehow saying, yes, I still have it going on here, I look Pro. FFS, I now regret not turning the car around so I could have pulled along side and asked what he thought he was doing. Or at least taken a photo for this article. Or issued a V-ticket for visual effrontery. Or nudged him off the road into a ditch.
There ought to be a Rule! Rule #28 needs an addendum with this compression thing out there. Eddy had no idea this was coming. If the Velominati are to keep ahead of these trends we better get on this now, before it is too late.
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@The Pressure
Hmmm, I came off with enough downforce to break the strongest bone in my body but my head didn't even touch the ground let alone suffer injury.
Perhaps I should ask why the rest of you are still wearing them?
I have to confess I considered it - the ride has some long, fast descents and I was quite nervous beforehand even giving myself some bail-out options. But I decided against it for two reasons.
First, because I've been on the indoor trainer I haven't been wearing one anyway and from experience I know that to suddenly do a four hour ride with a helmet would give me some serious neck pain.
Second, it would probably just make things worse because it would be a constant reminder of The Fear.
@ChrisO
Are we allowed to have helmet discussions?
For me it's because I'm not entirely convinced by either the argument for or against and whilst there may not be a benefit I can't see my helmet causing me damage.
The other main reason is that my kids ride a lot and I want them to wear one until they can make an informed decision of their own without me taking a strong stance eitherway.
All of which may be flawed but its considered decision and its not as flawed as claiming that my helmet "saved my life without a doubt".
@Chris
I thought we had been round that before! Well, to repeat from a year or so back, having been clean over the top of a car that hit me from behind and landing on the back of my head and rucksack (commuting) result was helmet split down the middle. I'm pretty sure I would not be around without a helmet or if still around probably not stringing together complete sentences. So I'm a firm for.
@ChrisO
We all make our choices. Glad you're back at it. Be safe. Fear is for suckers.
@Teocalli
If it wasn't the middle of the night in Dubai, I could picture @ChrisO sat in front of his computer with a bucket of popcorn.
It's also too late here to get into it properly but I struggle with the concept of being certain (as in my helmet “saved my life without a doubt” rather having some element of doubt by being "pretty sure") of an outcome without having expertise in a relevant field. Unless you either spend a significant amount of time smashing helmets (or heads) into roads, traffic furniture, cars etc in a properly controlled and observed scientific manner such opinion amounts to anecdotal evidence at best.
The other option, of course, is to prove that yourself right in being so certain by recreating the incident whilst not wearing a helmet.
@Chris
Mate I'm long past the point where I find it entertaining !
But what you said is exactly what I was driving at, even if we've reached different conclusions.
After the accident I was asked so many times if I was wearing a helmet.
I distinctly remember explaining to the paramedic why I chose not to and thinking how bizarre it was that I was in agony, away with the fairies under the influence of ketamine and nitrous oxide and I was still having a fucking helmet debate in an ambulance.
I assume the reason they all asked was not to teach me the error of my ways but as a check for head injury. I found that slightly concerning - they really should be looking for head injury regardless of helmet or not.
@ChrisO
Went down hard this weekend. Pulled a Schleck:
Into a rocky desert wadi. Helmeted head didn't even touch the bushes. Also questioning it by now...
@Chris
Whilst there is a certain Vulcan logic to that I think I'll pass on it. Somehow being right by being dead seems to have some small drawbacks.
Though I have taught skiing with enough people with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) of varying degrees to justify to myself that it does not do any harm to wear a helmet and might just benefit.
@Teocalli
Here's my take on the helmet debate - leaving aside whether or not it would/could/might save my life in a crash...
My wife wouldn't let me go out riding with out one, in the same way I wouldn't get away with going climbing without my climbing lid. So wearing a helmet enables me to ride/climb as I wish. End of debate.
I don't notice I'm wearing one now.
@ChrisO
Shame this wasn't developed into tyres last year...