Helmet question

[marni]

as an alternative test as to whether or not you need to wear a helmet, stand outside beside your bike with a a raw egg in your hand while holding onto the handle bar. Drop the egg. Look at the results and pretend the egg and its contents were your head and brain.

Be aware that different brands of helmets are different shapes. Some are more oval while others are more circular. Pick one that fits the shape of your head.

As for looking dorky- I would much rather look dorky in my helmet and be fully functional than have to spend the rest of my life looking cool but with the brain skills of a slug or a vegetable.

just sayin.....

[trickycoolj]

Are you interested in the skater style at all? I know many who are off-put by the serious road helmet looks but will go for skate/ski style helmets. I saw some awesome looking NutCase helmets last weekend at my LBS, they even had a watermelon painted one! http://www.nutcasehelmets.com Might not provide as much ventilation though.

Another thing to consider with fit is don't look at the pre-designated Men's/Women's/Youth/Child sizes on the box, especially if you go box store. In college I had to get a new helmet on short notice at WalMart and wound up with a Youth sized helmet to get a snug enough fit. The newer adjustable ratchet straps around the back of the head help a ton.

Whatever you do, make sure it's snug. The straps of my snowboard helmet were loose this spring since I wasn't wearing my usual Buff and scarf under it. I just finished a very steep part and was catching up to the boys in my group celebrating my first run that steep, and face planted on the flat part! Helmet flopped upwards and I hit the side of my head where the helmet was supposed to be (also slammed my goggles onto my eye socket). Had a headache for a week, and probably had a minor concussion.

A fall/crash can sneak up on you at the least obvious time. We are most cautious when things are dangerous and much too lax when things seem safe. Anything can happen.