Helmet mirrors

[hibiscus09]

I keep telling my sister that -- she likes to ride helmet free. There's no way I'd go without one -- I need to keep what little gray matter that's there safe from harm.

[MightyMitre]

Yeh - there's no excuse these days, especially as all the pro's have to wear them during competitions now.

There's also some cool helmets out there now - they don't all look like bomb-heads any more, and if you get one with a colour that goes with your bike or team kit they can look really good.

A quote I read in a magazine a few month ago about the helmet debate : 'I'd rather feed my children then have them feed me.' but I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted here...

[Bianchi Babe]

Dear Annie:

Thats a good suggestion. I guess I'll try and use the helmet adapter until I can get prescription sunglasses though. Can't wait to get a mirror. Before my husband and I set off on our longest ride yet this past weekend, I told him that I wanted to get a mirror. He said he didn't think people wore them any more because they weren't in style. I replied that I looked pretty geeky anyway with my large fit over sunglasses and that I didn't particularly care how geeky I looked as long as I felt safe. Shortly after we went on our long ride and he rode up along side of me to say he saw me do something really scary. Look over my shoulder and veering into the middle of the left lane! I said, well now you know why I think a mirror would be helpful. So he agreed that in my case it probably wouldn't hurt! Kind of funny isn't it?

[annie]

Hey BianchiBabe,

Funny or not, whatever keeps you safer and makes you feel more confident on the bike is a good thing! You go, girl! Get that mirror and stay on your bike and you'll just get better and better.

Hey Mighty,

Awesome quote about children being fed or doing the feeding........... I am going to remember that one and pass it on when needed.

I cracked three helmets in under one year a couple years ago. Not a good year, needless to say............ But my head survived. The helmets did their job and one is now being used to show kids in schools WHY they need to wear a helmet and wear it right. I wouldn't ride around the block without a helmet.

[Bianchi Babe]

Dear Annie:

I'm sorry you broke three helmets but I think its wonderful that your using them to teach kids why they should wear helmets. I used to teach young children and nothing is as explanatory as a visual example. Did you notify the helmet manufacturer after you broke the helmet?
Several years ago, before I knew him, my husband was riding in some bike event and an inexperienced rider crashed into him bringing the two of them down. If it hadn't been for his helmet he wouldn't have survived the head injuries. The helmet completely cracked in half! So he wrote the helmet manufacturer in gratitude and they were so happy to get an appreciative letter that they sent him a new helmet! I've heard sometimes they will send you a new helmet at a cheaper price if you let them know you crashed and wrecked the helmet.

[annie]

BB,

Nope, didn't notify the helmet manufacturer. Not a bad idea, tho', to let them know their product works! Quite a few brands of helmet have some type of replacement policy, that lets you get a replacement helmet for a cheaper price. I work part-time, summers, in a bike shop, so I get good prices on things anyway. And no broken helmets this season! At least not so far ...... keeping fingers crossed........

[Irulan]

when I've cracked and broken helmets, the LBS usually sends them back to the manufacturer. Evidently they want to xray and perform other tests on them to study how they repsond to stress and impact. I've gotten a coupon good for like a $40 credit to a new helmet.

Re someone not wearing a helmet. Yes, this is an age old discussion but really now... stupid, stupid, stupid. Have her talk to a neurosurgeon some time about all the people they have to try and peice together. Or, someone that has survived a had injury with partial memory loss or other impairment. Anyone remember that public service add with the watermelon hitting the pavement?

Irulan