S
Stainlesssteelr
Guest
I thought I'd relate a recent experience. This is not a pro or anti helmet post, but might prove
food for thought.
I have never been a helmet wearer, and do a mixture of on and off-road cycling. I was cycling
through my local forest a couple of weeks back on a trail that I have cycled for over 3 years. For
some reason I lost control of the bike, going over a tree root I think, and shot forward over the
handle bars. I stopped, mainly because I was in cleats, took the handlebars in the chest and the
bike collapsed to the floor in some fashion (I'm guessing it went forward and to the left). I must
have taken a serious blow to the left side of my head as I was knocked unconscious. I woke up
probably seconds later with my left foot still in the cleat and mashed up hands, left arm and leg. I
decided to stay there for a few minutes until the world stopped spinning. I eventually disentangled
myself from the bike and sat on a conveniently located tree stump.
I must have collapsed again because the next thing I knew I was lying on the ground. I suspect I may
have even partially swallowed my tongue as I had vague memories of choking (I have had a petit mal
fit before, so remember what this is like). Now there was no-one around, so if I had fully swallowed
my tongue I suspect I wouldn't be here posting this today.
Suffice to say I have bought a helmet and will wear it on all future rides.
I thought it might prove food for thought for those that cycle regularly, particularly those that go
off-road and think that they might be immune, like me ;-) Not being preachy, but I would hate to see
anyone else suffer what I did.
--
StainlessSteelRat "What do you call assassins who accuse assassins?" -- Kurtz, Apocalypse Now
food for thought.
I have never been a helmet wearer, and do a mixture of on and off-road cycling. I was cycling
through my local forest a couple of weeks back on a trail that I have cycled for over 3 years. For
some reason I lost control of the bike, going over a tree root I think, and shot forward over the
handle bars. I stopped, mainly because I was in cleats, took the handlebars in the chest and the
bike collapsed to the floor in some fashion (I'm guessing it went forward and to the left). I must
have taken a serious blow to the left side of my head as I was knocked unconscious. I woke up
probably seconds later with my left foot still in the cleat and mashed up hands, left arm and leg. I
decided to stay there for a few minutes until the world stopped spinning. I eventually disentangled
myself from the bike and sat on a conveniently located tree stump.
I must have collapsed again because the next thing I knew I was lying on the ground. I suspect I may
have even partially swallowed my tongue as I had vague memories of choking (I have had a petit mal
fit before, so remember what this is like). Now there was no-one around, so if I had fully swallowed
my tongue I suspect I wouldn't be here posting this today.
Suffice to say I have bought a helmet and will wear it on all future rides.
I thought it might prove food for thought for those that cycle regularly, particularly those that go
off-road and think that they might be immune, like me ;-) Not being preachy, but I would hate to see
anyone else suffer what I did.
--
StainlessSteelRat "What do you call assassins who accuse assassins?" -- Kurtz, Apocalypse Now