Occasional or regular non-bike helmet cyclist?

[OakLeaf]

Just yesterday I accidentally left home without my helmet ... long story, but I was really discombobulated, seriously sleep-deprived and NONE of my stuff was where it normally is. I knew something was missing but didn't figure out what it was until I was almost a mile from home. Had to ride back for it - helmets are required on our club ride, but I'd never have considered doing it anyway.

I'm a concussion survivor, no long term effects thank heaven, but hard enough that if I hadn't been wearing a helmet, it would have been very, very serious indeed.

Nevertheless, years ago (just a few years after that bici crash) I used to occasionally ride a motorcycle bareheaded, around town. Never at highway speed. I've told the story before about the last time I rode bareheaded, but it's worth repeating...

DH and I had just started dating. At the time, he lived in a state with a helmet law and hadn't ridden bareheaded in a long time (mostly because that's his preference and only a little because of the law). We went on a camping trip in a state without a helmet law, and one night we decided to ride the motos bareheaded from our campsite to a nearby restaurant, just a mile and a half each way.

The wind felt nice on our heads and all, but each of us was so terrified for the other one, that we've never done it again.

I wear mine for myself, for 100% sure ... but also, I wear it for the ones I love, and who love me.




ETA... anyone who thinks the wind in her hair is such a big deal, has obviously never ridden with the wind in her b00bs. That I probably will never have the chance to do again, but the feeling is seriously worth the risk.