My more recent crash was about a month ago and I took 2 and a half weeks off from riding, mostly because of rain and some thigh pain, then it became some reluctance or rather lack of interest on my part. I've resolved all of these and am riding regularly again. What I didn't do after the last crash was to inspect my helmet thoroughly and today after reading through a helmet thread in Bikeforums, I decided I should do just that.
Boy was I surprised, I found a section of foam near the strap had cracked completely through. There was only one thing to do, replace it. So I did just that and I rode down to the Performance store down in Sorrento valley and dropped 53 bucks on a new one during my lunch hour (then put in a good climbing workout). Granted I was taking a chance by having the broken one on my head to begin with, but something is always better than nothing and something new is certainly better than something that is broken.
But the bottom line is that in both incidences I was glad to have had on a helmet, as my head solidly hit the pavement on both occasions and during the second crash my head slid along the railroad track crossing for a few feet. And for a very nominal investment one can significantly protect one's head and the contents within. I have had debates with a certain
8 comments:
A good helmet is worth its weight in gold! I'm glad you're up and riding again, and glad you weren't hurt too bad in either incident.
Maybe I'll have to dust off the new helmet I got for Christmas...
Yeah, I would advise it, especially if you're out with the cars.
With due respect, helmets aren't going to help much with the cars. They WILL help when you spill at low speed, which is the most common fall.
I am a physical therapist and I have worked with several people who have been in bike vs auto accidents. In every single case their helmet saved them from a brain injury. One example of a higher speed crash (although not vs an auto)is a friend who is a time trial racer. She was on a training ride when she hit a pothole. She was launched over 50 feet before she hit the ground shattering her shoulder blade, breaking her collar bone and 7 ribs, and shattering her pelvis. She also shattering her helmet but did not sustain a head injury. Every story with serious injury to other parts of their body is like this. You are correct that if the car completely squishes you your helmet is not going to help. There is just no reason not to wear one. You are stupid if you don't.
I have a friend whose daughter was severely injured from a simple fall from her bike (no helmet). Thankfully she's fully recovered, but had her parents worried sick for weeks. That was close to 20 years ago. I've worn a helmet every time I've biked since then.
Glad to see you're ok Popeye. I wear one routinely but my wife says it's like shutting the barn door after the horse has gotten out. She's such a card.
eric
Yeah I saw a guy today without one and I admit I go topless when the man-child and I ride over to the local 'Bux for our Saturday constitutional, but it is a very low speed, casual ride.
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