SouthernBelle "what is the difference in a Bell helmet you get for $20 at Wally World and The Giro you pay 5x that for at the LBS?"

I know I'll catch heck for this but....your LBS gives more back to the local cycling community, that's why I've yet to set foot in Wally World.

Yes, it's an expensive sport, there are deals out there. I got my last helmet at the Velo Swap where I got a 100.00 helmet for $20.00 brand new in the box and the money went to the Velo Girls bike club. The helmets before that...caught the sale when the new models came out.

Last years color protects my brain just as well. Bike swap meets, LBS sales, online lots of ways to save a buck or two.