Changed my mind on helmets ...

andrewc3142

... at least for commuting.

No intention to set off one of those boring helmet debates, just my thoughts from today.

I got knocked off for the second time (the first being 4 years ago when a guy drove at speed through a mini-roundabout I was on without looking or slowing down). Pulling off from some lights on the Embankment a guy clipped my bars with his mirror and off I came. Nothing I could have done, in hindsight or otherwise.

He stopped (as did some cyclists - many thanks), was clearly upset and seemed a decent guy who really wasn't trying to be aggressive or anything.

Checked over by A&E and all good, apart from a cartoon-sized bump on the side of my forehead and some impressive road-rash on shoulder, arm and leg. The guy has already ordered me direct replacement jersey and bib-shorts and the bike is fine.

However, it could have been a lot worse, very easily.

I wouldn't hold myself out to be any kind of expert rider. However, I'm not a newbie, with over 40 years' experience, a 50km commute each way several times a week, a few sportives a year, cycle touring for most holidays and general utility cycling for shopping, local trips, etc.

I've never worn a helmet except for the odd event that requires one.

Based on today, I won't become one of those types who bangs on about having to wear a helmet and I doubt I'll use one for local trips, or indeed for touring (usually France where the cycling environment is wholly different).

But I've just ordered one to wear for the commute.

Kieran_Burns

The future...

comments on no serious injury to head
comments on equivalent injuries to other parts of body so will you be ordering body armour?
comments on anecdotal comment about how it could be worse

Then
comments on comments
counter comments on comments about comments
comments about the comments that countered the comments commenting on the comments

Then
ad hominem attacks on the OP, on the original commenters (including me), the mods and anyone who comments about helmets at any point
Mods lock thread.

Shall we just leave it here?

meanredspider

Let's just focus on the positives:

Helmet or no helmet, OP, I'm glad you're ok.

roger_merriman

meanredspider wrote:

Let's just focus on the positives:

Helmet or no helmet, OP, I'm glad you're ok.

Indeed!

andrewc3142

Mr Spider: thanks

Kieran: I really, really don't want to start a helmet flame war. Life's too short.

veronese68

roger merriman wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Let's just focus on the positives:

Helmet or no helmet, OP, I'm glad you're ok.

Indeed!

Very much so.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Kieran_Burns wrote:

The future...

comments on no serious injury to head
comments on equivalent injuries to other parts of body so will you be ordering body armour?
comments on anecdotal comment about how it could be worse

Then
comments on comments
counter comments on comments about comments
comments about the comments that countered the comments commenting on the comments

Then
ad hominem attacks on the OP, on the original commenters (including me), the mods and anyone who comments about helmets at any point
Mods lock thread.

Shall we just leave it here?

What, without even mentioning rotational injuries? I think not!

jds_1981

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

captain_kirk

It's about time we started wrapping our bikes in bubble wrap. It's the only way to stop them getting damaged in accidents. Helmets won't protect your bike at all!


(Glad you are ok OP!)

vimfuego

Don't you have bubble wrap on your helmet????? :roll:

Glad you're OK BTW

walkingbootweather

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

Hot Orange

walkingbootweather wrote:

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

<applause>

rower63

walkingbootweather wrote:

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

brilliant

sketchley

Based on this and in light of the serious injury* to IT Boff's knee I think we should all start wearing knee pads.....

Popcorn Anyone?

*We all know it only a scratch really

sketchley

walkingbootweather wrote:

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

Divorce court + match.com

airbag

Just don't become one of those types that thinks wearing a helmet in a crash and not dying means not wearing a helmet in a crash means dying. As your own experience testifies, that is not the case.

If I'm to be the temporarily self-appointed spokesman for helmet "sceptics"... that really is all. I don't think anyone opposes the idea of you wearing one to feel happy. I'm not even particularly sceptical, but some really do seem to find that request unreasonable and/or have trouble with this basic logic.

rubertoe

Didnt we have a helmet debate when the guys from the bottom bracket started to seep into the rest of the forum? before they become fully trained?

pblakeney

rubertoe wrote:

Didnt we have a helmet debate ...

I am fairly certain that there has been substantially more than one debate prior to this.

gbsahne001

walkingbootweather wrote:

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

if its a specialised lid, then they offer a 50% discount for replacements; send them an email or speak to them first but then you just send the damaged one to them, with a cheque and they'll send a new one back.

meanredspider

gbsahne wrote:

walkingbootweather wrote:

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

if its a specialised lid, then they offer a 50% discount for replacements; send them an email or speak to them first but then you just send the damaged one to them, with a cheque and they'll send a new one back.

Spesh are now doing replacement wives at a 50% discount. How much do I have to damage my current wife before they'll consider sending me a new one?

rubertoe

meanredspider wrote:

Spesh are now doing replacement wives at a 50% discount. How much do I have to damage my current wife before they'll consider sending me a new one?

I might even have to get married if they are doing this? Will it be a 2015 model or earlier?

veronese68

rubertoe wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Spesh are now doing replacement wives at a 50% discount. How much do I have to damage my current wife before they'll consider sending me a new one?

I might even have to get married if they are doing this? Will it be a 2015 model or earlier?

:shock: Best to go pre 1995 at the very least I'd say.
Sorry that's in very poor taste.

CiB

Veronese68 wrote:

:shock: Best to go pre 1995 at the very least I'd say.
Sorry that's in very poor taste.

Having endured the wandering-mind tedium of 3 - three - school musical performances over this last week enlivened only by some unusual singing by girls with a good set of lungs on em and attributes that to a man exclude the word shy, I'd imagine a case could be made for the 95, 96, and even 97 models, at a push.



edit for sanity...

rubertoe

CiB wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

:shock: Best to go pre 1995 at the very least I'd say.
Sorry that's in very poor taste.

Having endured the wandering-mind tedium of 3 - three - school musical performances over this last week enlivened only by some unusual singing by girls with a good set of lungs on em and attributes that to a man exclude the word shy, I'd imagine a case could be made for the 95, 96, and even 97 models, at a push.



edit for sanity...

I thought my post felt abit jimmy saville when I wrote it.

Pufftmw

Sketchley wrote:

walkingbootweather wrote:

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

Divorce court + match.com

Worked for me

Though did it the other way round (after I had left the incumbent wife of course)

drlodge

Bontrager have a 3 year "damage" replacement program i.e. if its crash damaged wihin 3 years, they replace it FOC. If I recall correctly...

walkingbootweather

Pufftmw wrote:

Sketchley wrote:

walkingbootweather wrote:

jds_1981 wrote:

My wife majorly cracked her helmet day before yesterday. Stupidly, by throwing it on the floor in a hissy fit.

Isn't there somewhere where you can get an exchange in incidents like this? It might cost a few quid but worth if to dispose of the offending article and get something that won't let you down when you most need it. I hope someone can tell us where because I too am considering exchanging my wife.

Divorce court + match.com

Worked for me

Though did it the other way round (after I had left the incumbent wife of course)

You don't want one of them incumbent wives. Recumbent is the way to go everytime.