Head case
When I get to UglyAss Bikes HQ, the local Montreal skatepark, the kids start running for their helmets (or, at the least, they start explaining while they left them at home). I’m a big advocate for helmets for any type of bike riding: tricks or transportation. The first moment that I took helmets seriously was back around 1994. D’Arcy Saccucci was over at my parent’s house riding the backyard mini-ramp. After I flew out onto the deck after a run, D’Arcy asked: How much is your student loan? I told him that it was just under $12000. He paused for about a ¼ second, and hit me back with “…and you don’t wear a helmet?”
For D’Arcy, a $12000 investment in one’s head was worth protecting. This hit me as pretty insightful at the time, and I believe that my compulsive helmet wearing began soon after.
Of course, $12000 isn’t really that much money compared to what one’s head-health is worth. I now see it as stupid to ride a bike (that is, to put your head in jeopardy) without a helmet. Period.
Of course, the hardcore BMXer isn’t wearing his helmet nowadays. Why? Because he looks up to the pros (who looked up to their pros, who looked up to their pros, etc.) who aren’t wearing their helmets. Dumb 15 year olds become dumb 20 year old pros. A cycle of stupidity (no pun intended). Wouldn’t it rule if the pros of one generation took their positions as role-models seriously and acted responsibly, wearing their helmets because it’s the right thing to do?
Of the guys who do wear their helmets, there has been a shift over the last 15 years from open face motorcycle helmets, to full-face helmets, to silly skateboard-type helmets. I had a full-face ten years ago, when I was still pushing myself, and it saved me about ten times. I still have it, but haven’t worn it in five years.
My friend Pedro started Krusher ten years ago, and I switched to his helmets on his insistence when I moved to Montreal in 2000. Now that he is no longer involved, I don’t wear them anymore. Why? The Pro-Tec style helmet is not a high-quality design. The foam is crap. The good foam (as featured in normal cycling helmets), that disperses the impact, is the ruling option. Made to protect your head very well once (then you need to replace it).
Now I wear the Pro-Tec style shell with the good foam (a Vigor helmet, actually). The problem is, they are massive, and dwarf your head. So, although they are the accepted style, with the good foam, but look ridiculous (at least on me).
The solution for non-serious riding would be a roadie – mtn bike helmet. Good foam, WAY better airflow, lighter, but looks like something out of the movie Alien. But, functionally, free from pose, the solution.
So I guess I need to get one. Anybody else going to follow my lead? (I doubt it.)
For D’Arcy, a $12000 investment in one’s head was worth protecting. This hit me as pretty insightful at the time, and I believe that my compulsive helmet wearing began soon after.
Of course, $12000 isn’t really that much money compared to what one’s head-health is worth. I now see it as stupid to ride a bike (that is, to put your head in jeopardy) without a helmet. Period.
Of course, the hardcore BMXer isn’t wearing his helmet nowadays. Why? Because he looks up to the pros (who looked up to their pros, who looked up to their pros, etc.) who aren’t wearing their helmets. Dumb 15 year olds become dumb 20 year old pros. A cycle of stupidity (no pun intended). Wouldn’t it rule if the pros of one generation took their positions as role-models seriously and acted responsibly, wearing their helmets because it’s the right thing to do?
Of the guys who do wear their helmets, there has been a shift over the last 15 years from open face motorcycle helmets, to full-face helmets, to silly skateboard-type helmets. I had a full-face ten years ago, when I was still pushing myself, and it saved me about ten times. I still have it, but haven’t worn it in five years.
My friend Pedro started Krusher ten years ago, and I switched to his helmets on his insistence when I moved to Montreal in 2000. Now that he is no longer involved, I don’t wear them anymore. Why? The Pro-Tec style helmet is not a high-quality design. The foam is crap. The good foam (as featured in normal cycling helmets), that disperses the impact, is the ruling option. Made to protect your head very well once (then you need to replace it).
Now I wear the Pro-Tec style shell with the good foam (a Vigor helmet, actually). The problem is, they are massive, and dwarf your head. So, although they are the accepted style, with the good foam, but look ridiculous (at least on me).
The solution for non-serious riding would be a roadie – mtn bike helmet. Good foam, WAY better airflow, lighter, but looks like something out of the movie Alien. But, functionally, free from pose, the solution.
So I guess I need to get one. Anybody else going to follow my lead? (I doubt it.)
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