In Memoriam: Unsafe Headgear
I appreciate my helmet. I treat it with respect. I never leave for a ride without it. I replace it after a crash or even after helplessly watching it bound down the stairwell like some kind of deformed styrofoam slinky-dink after allowing it to slip from my grasp. (This activity also typically involves some assertions questioning what it does in its spare time, its origins of birth, and things of that nature.) Community member @chaz also recently suggested that, in accordance with motorcycle tradition, we ceremoniously cut the strap on the helmet and hang it in the VVorkshop in deference to the purpose it served us.
Suffice to say, I’m grateful for the advances technology offers us when it comes to protective headgear, because staying alive is in alignment with my strategy. But progress is the slayer of ritual and tradition, and I can’t help but look back longingly to the days when helmets were rarely worn and if they were, they consisted of thin strips of leather that, assuming it stayed on, would do little more than keep your cranium from coming apart after cracking it to bits on a cobblestone or some such object.
The hairnet was the coolest cranial accouterment ever designed, with the insulated cycling cap that fit over it being a close second. The cycling cap on its own was, of course, also a class piece of kit to be worn forwards, sideways, or backwards – made cooler only by perching a set of cycling-specific shades on top of it. A helmetless head saw hair slicked back by the wind as a byproduct of the V as riders raised their arms in triumph over the finish line. The bare noggin on the high mountain passes was a beacon of Purified Awesome, allowing us to see in all their glory the suffering faces of the riders as they moved sur la plaque over the summit.
Take a moment, fellow Velominati, to honor the Useless Headgear of our past.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Headgear/”]
@gaswepass
Reasonably sure that not only is that a chicka, but I wouldn’t stand a chance.
@Marcus
Fucken, what? Did it just get a little weird round here or what?
Just to break the tension
@Marcus
Ya, but it’s a fucking Trek.
@scaler911
You do know that’s a pic of Lance, with Vic Pendleton’s face photoshopped on right?
@frank
Hmm, yeah. True enough.
@Oli
Take that!
@gaswepass
I owe you one.
@scaler911
The bike looks way too small for her and those tires have gotta be some kind of rule violation too.
@wiscot
Yes. But that said, I’d follow that blue tyre around for a K or 2.
Could wheel suck for a few Ks too
@ChrisO
I would prefer to review your dissertation on riding ‘unhelmeted’ (thanx for the term Frank) if you have it readily available. This rant began by crying out “Oh, God… ahh… no helmets.” and God most likely discerns, “and he still knows not what he does.” If you could ride (starting now) for one year wearing a helmet, you then would have gained some merit. Otherwise, you are in a sense unchurched.
Made it thru entirely — The Great Helmet War !! But I made an assumption that your battle was waged over which helmet performed best, cost most or least, and looked overly (Billy Crystal) FAN-TAS-TIC !! Of course the Velominati found other veins thru the discussion — bar setups, models, science, and iPhones ?? — everything that the Velominati usually like to discuss here. And all that you chose to discuss here became more useful than any discussion on whether to wear a helmet — or not (No Shakespeare) !! So let’s agree to wage another World Helmet War conflict over whatever a helmet should be and should not be. Not no helmet at all !! (South speak)
@Vin’cenza
As you say, it should assist you in looking fantastic, end of story.
Presenting the Greatest (photo) helmet concept — with a Sword !!
@snoov
Where was the story — missed it. Period!
@Vin’cenza
Actually the ‘rant’ began ‘Oh god a helmet debate…’ quite a different thing.
My point is, I see no point in debating the subject – I didn’t then and I don’t now.
If you genuinely wish to find out more I can suggest the following:
1. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute – a pro-compulsion group. Among other things this site compares the various safety standards across Europe, US and Australia and gives details of the tests.
http://www.bhsi.org/stdcomp.htm
2. A fairly neutral UK-based industry group aimed at the general population. Has a good description of how helmets actually work and links to further reading.
http://www.whycycle.co.uk/safety_and_security/cycling_helmets/
3. The main anti-compulsion group. Worth reading their analyses of various pieces of research.
http://www.cyclehelmets.org
4. The inevitable Wikipedia entry. Worth noting the section on design intentions and standards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet
You may also wish to peruse the site of the UK’s Cyclists Touring Club, one of (if not the) oldest and largest cycling organisations in the world, and which adopts a pro-choice stance.
For the record, if I may correct one assumption you seem to have made – that I don’t ever wear a helmet. As a matter of course I don’t, but there are situations where I do e.g. when I used to commute in London I would usually wear one, so I’m not coming at this from an ‘unchurched’ point of view.
However I find your choice of religious terminology quite interesting given my view that helmets are an article of belief and beyond debate for most people.
I may be nailing the Messiah to the cross but don’t worry I won’t be casting lots for your helmet ;-)
@ChrisO
4 points and no use (to me). Need links to BLOWOUT sales on hi-quality helmets. For those that believe and still look good believing.
See you in a few days.
@Vin’cenza
When I got my sterling I ordered it from the distributor. Msrp on it is 230. I found a coupon code via the google that was 50% off. Totally pro helmet for under 120? Tits!
@Vin’cenza
@RedRanger
Tried Red Ranger’s thing on e-Rudy site, promotional code “50helmets” and indeed a Sterling for 50% off ($115).
@xyxax
Awesome!
@RedRanger
@xyxax
Rudy Project is one of my teams sponsors, and while we get a better deal than that, I gotta say that they are really nice helmets (and glasses). Worth full retail, and a helluva deal if you can get ’em half off.
I’m not just pimping my sponsor either. It’s just nice gear.
@scaler911
totally agree. I had been lusting over one back when I lived in Italy, but couldnt find em. when I found that deal I acted on it right away. no regrets
@scaler911
@RedRanger
No, I’m really glad to get your personal recommendations on items like this, where there are a fuckzillion options and no time for due diligence. Much appreciated.
@xyxax
I have a Lazer I quite like, but it is just one of many options out there. The high-end Giros didn’t feel right, so I tried Lazer and it fit like a glove – I also like how they look. I have the Lazer O2, which is middle of the road I think in terms of their lineup, at around ~$100 retail.
@mcsqueak
Thanks man. That’s the helmet in your avatar? I like.
I impulse-bought the RP right after posting, in white, a la toi.
Next up: white shoes.
Goal: looking like a Q-tip.
nothing quite like the sound of your helmet breaking while it’s on your head to convince you to wear one the next time too.