The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[hatler]

It was the first time I had ever encountered the problem so didn't know it would be a problem, and the salt resulted in my eyes becoming inflamed. Really unpleasant. Anyway, as martin says, enough. It's not a problem I will ever be faced with again.

 

[Justinslow]

Really? Can't this just die now?

Really? Do we really need irrelevant pictures of animals with or without hats?

 

[Brandane]

Oh you are both a wheeze worrying about a bit of sweat, I think you're participating in the wrong activity if you're worried about a little bit of sweat!!

Most pads are removable and able to be cleaned you know.

If I thought for one minute that there was any advantage to be had by wearing a helmet, then I might be tempted to carry a cleaning kit with me (or spare pads) so that I could freshen things up after a stop; however..............

 

[Justinslow]

If I thought for one minute that there was any advantage to be had by wearing a helmet, then I might be tempted to carry a cleaning kit with me (or spare pads) so that I could freshen things up after a stop; however..............

Little bit of OCD perhaps?

 

[Brandane]

Little bit of OCD perhaps?

Errm; YOU were the one suggesting that pads are removable and able to be cleaned! I was just making the point that it would be a PITA mid-ride after a stop, which is the point in a ride at which I find cold, sweaty pads uncomfortable.....

Most pads are removable and able to be cleaned you know.

 

[jefmcg]

I've sat under a tree in australia, having empty a water bottle over my head, waiting for my head to cool down enough so I could continue my journey without the risk of heat stroke. It's wasn't a humid day, so the gentle breeze through my damp hair would have done the trick, except that would be breaking the law.

Cold, damp pads are not really that big a problem.

(Though if i had keeled over while cycling - I've done so when walking - the helmet would have been handy)

 

[MontyVeda]

Don't seem to have a problem with sweat whilst cycling... maybe I should try pedalling a bit quicker?

 

[Tanis8472]

I find I start overheating with those plastic hats on. Even with a normal cycling hat I get too hot.

 

[jefmcg]

Don't seem to have a problem with sweat whilst cycling... maybe I should try pedalling a bit quicker?

Having a problem with sweat means that you are sweating faster than it is evaporating. So the factors include how hot it is, how humid it is, how hard you are working, how fit you are are, what you are wearing, how long your hair is, your physiology (some people just sweat more than others) etc etc. So not sweating isn't a problem, it's a gift. Someone who does sweat a lot might be able to use it as a measure of how hard he is working, but you can't compare two different people's level of sweat to the amount of work they are doing.

I've got a friend who has sweaty hands. She has to keep a bit of paper under her hand when she is writing, or the paper gets damp. As far as I can tell, she is not giving her hand a big workout when she writes a shopping list.

(in all but the very hottest conditions, I don't drip with sweat, but under a helmet my hair gets distinctly wet even in UK summer)

 

[swansonj]

Well no.
"The Defendant has not discharged the burden of proving contributory negligence on the part of the Claimant for another, more fundamental reason – the Defendant has failed to persuade me that an approved helmet would have prevented or made less severe the head injuries sustained by the Claimant"

Essentially the judge says that he thinks it's sensible to wear a bike helmet, but that in the case (which, remember, is very similar to most cases where "a helmet saved my life") the lack of a helmet didn't do anything.

There's a case review at http://www.cyclistsdefencefund.org....ing-cycle-helmets-and-contributory-negligence which makes it clear that the opinion of their lawyer is that the case doesn't set legal precedent.

Going back to this Smith v Finch case:

"As it is accepted that the wearing of helmets may afford protection in some circumstances, it must follow that a cyclist of ordinary prudence would wear one, no matter whether on a long or a short trip or whether on quiet suburban roads or a busy main road. "

Strikes me Mr Justice Williams is extraordinarily lacking in a basic sense of scientific reasoning. And that he's never read a cycle helmet discussion thread on a cycle forum.

 

[EnPassant]

Having a problem with sweat means that you are sweating faster than it is evaporating. So the factors include how hot it is, how humid it is, how hard you are working, how fit you are are, what you are wearing, how long your hair is, your physiology (some people just sweat more than others) etc etc. So not sweating isn't a problem, it's a gift. Someone who does sweat a lot might be able to use it as a measure of how hard he is working, but you can't compare two different people's level of sweat to the amount of work they are doing.

I've got a friend who has sweaty hands. She has to keep a bit of paper under her hand when she is writing, or the paper gets damp. As far as I can tell, she is not giving her hand a big workout when she writes a shopping list.

(in all but the very hottest conditions, I don't drip with sweat, but under a helmet my hair gets distinctly wet even in UK summer)

Dataset +1

How hot is it: Not very (it's the UK)
How humid:: Seemingly 100% when I want to go out (it's the UK)
How hard working: Not very (avoiding hills)
How fit: Not very (too many pies)
What wearing: A very fetching Yellow and Black ensemble (designer Aldi Lidl)
How long hair: Not very (current data insufficient for reliable estimate)
Physiology: 8pm Thursday evenings

Damp Pads?: None since I started reading this thread.

 

[ufkacbln]

Buff (or similar)

Soak in water, wring out
Place in plastic bag, then place bag in freezer

Carry in cool bag

When needed take out and wear

 

[Tanis8472]

Had an interesting encounter today. Came across quite a lot of bikes heading other way to me so being the friendly sort, I waved said hello.
One or two replied, but the rest seemed to blank me.




I think I know why,




I wasnt wearing a plastic hat and they were on a Ryan Smith Foundation charity ride.

 

[jefmcg]

Et aw

Buff (or similar)

Soak in water, wring out
Place in plastic bag, then place bag in freezer

Carry in cool bag

When needed take out and wear

Is this a serious suggestion? I think it would be overkill in the UK (carrying a cool bag containing a single buff?) and useless in Australia (heat stroke moment was after 100km ride in the sun, everything would have melted hours ago and lugging a cool bag to Frankston and back would have measurably increased the work)

 

[mjr]

Don't seem to have a problem with sweat whilst cycling... maybe I should try pedalling a bit quicker?

Wrap your head in the same material used for cavity wall insulation and see if you overheat more easily?

When I feel my hat is limiting my cooling and I consider there's no overhanging branches, I take my hat off for a bit.