Cycling Helmets

Every time a friend talks with me about whether or not to ride a bike with or without a cycling helmet, I’m reminded of a friend of mine.

Judy and a friend were riding along on the Boulder Creek Path. It’s a paved off-road path that skirts rushing, clear, sparkling Boulder Creek. It runs east-west for approximately 6.5 thru the heart of town.

As she tells the story, she and her friend were chatting as they rode on a sunny fall day. They were just passing under the bridge connecting two parts of our main library which sit on opposite sides of the tumbling stream.

The next thing she is aware of is waking in our hospital ER with a concussion and a $5,000.00 hospital bill.

Will a cycling helmet save your life if you are struck by a car? Probably not. But for slower falls like Judy’s they are a mandatory part of your cycling gear.

I know my helmet helped me a while back. I was visiting an old college friend, Paul, who lives in a small town in Northern Michigan. He is not a cyclist. I had my road bike with me. He managed to find a bike, get the tires inflated and the rust off the chain.

We were riding around town on mostly paved roads and sidewalks. We were riding down from town to the shores of Lake Michigan. We came around a sharp corner which caused us to slow down. Immediately after the corner which was shielded by some bushes, the wind had blown sand from the beach across the trail. Slow speed, a wrong gear and not being able to get clipped out of my pedals-down I went.

I fell sideways on my shoulder. Very slowly. I tried to stop the fall or at least the damage. I did pretty well except for my head which hit the ground pretty hard. My bell was rung loud and clear.

The cycling helmet worked. No damage to me or the helmet. After Paul and I had a great laugh we were on our way.

Helmets must protect the head against impacts, so the primary concern is stability and close fit. Most helmets now have a thin hard shell that protects the foam against the sun and cuts. Good helmets also have a web molded into the foam that keeps the helmet from disintegrating on impact.

There should be plenty of air holes and thin padding strips. Avoid helmets with padding strips in front, where they can get soaked with sweat and cause sweat to run into your eyes. Different vendors sell different shapes; if one doesn't fit well and needs the thickest set of pads to stay in place buy from another vendor. For example, it is reported that Bell helmets seem to be wider than Giro helmets.

Always tighten the strap until you can just barely open your mouth all the way. It needs readjustment every once in a while. Helmets that slip due to loose straps are no protection! Make sure that you can't pull the helmet back when the strap is closed.

Some people attach mirrors to their helmets and swear they won't punch through their eyeballs in a crash. They don't work for me because I ride road bikes, and all I can see in the mirror is my shoulder. It may work better for more upright riding positions. You should make your own decision about mirrors.

Content by Thomas Driemeyer, www.bitrot.deEdited by Reg Gupton, gupton@growthseminars.com

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