Dead cool or live mushroom?

Dunno cycle helmets as such, but what about the biker helmets, the ones that look like old war time helmets? The BMX ones would probably be okay though, biting the dust from 10 foot in the air and landing on your head must count for something! Failing that, get a wild blond wig, like boris has. Craig

Why you're worried about the way you might look I can only surmise. What about a motorcycle helmet? I remember watching one of those TV programmes on reckless driving from The States, and a motorcyclist came roaring out of a slip road just in front of a car on the main road. He thought OK I'll 'gun' it to get in front of the car. The problem being that he 'gunned' it too much and because of the angle he was at went into a slide. Now I can't remember whether both wheels of the car went over his helmet (oooer missus) but certainly one wheel did. I watched it through my fingers, but he got up, shook himself, and helmet and head were intact. I hope you don't become one of those cyclists who zoom through red lights, or pedestrian crossings impervious to the fact that you are obliged to stop. The times I was almost run over when I was in Oxford I can't begin to tell, and if you hurl an imprecation (I wanted to throw a heavy brick) the normal response was "fuck off!"

Oh I forgot to mention that a cycle helmet would have been crushed with the skull, if a car's wheel had run over it. As an adjunct: also down in Oxford I came across a surreal scene. A single decker bus was halfway over a young girl with very blond hair. She was under the front of the bus in the middle so she had obviously been bumped from behind and had fallen. No wheels were in contention thankfully. There was a policeman on bended knee talking to her, but, and you'll think that I'm callous, I thought what a great picture this would make. Long very blond haired one's hair looked like it was 'staged', it wasn't mussed up it looked like it had been combed into place, it was horribly surreal, and what added to the horribly surreal part was the bus driver was still sitting in the driver seat.

Jude, I am sorry to hear about your husband's injury. I hope he recovers fully and swiftly. We too ride our bikes often. I also think we look like "mushroom heads" with our sturdy bike helmets. But then when I think of the damage that even a slight tumble can wreak on the delicate eggshell that houses our thinking organ, I am greatful for the "mushroom look." I see all around us riders who are the dressed in the height of fashion. They exhibit expensive riding shoes, padded pants, leather gloves, colorful shirts and ride very expensive cycling machines. I hope it makes them happy. We ride in old tennis shoes,gym shorts and tee shirts and enjoy the experience immensely. If we do in passing look like "mushroon heads" then that is just another oddity that adds to the texture of our character. Better people say anything about you then nothing. Think of yourself as a fighter pilot donning her helmet when next you ride.The flight through the fall air will be a journey of the mind racing across an urban battlefield, peopled with dangerous iron monsters, piloted by unaware knuckleheads who inadvertently can crush you like an egg shell under a hammer. You will soon forget your "mushroon head" look and seek the daily battle with the gusto of one who has "donned her armor" and is ready for combat. Vaya Con Dios, J.X.M

Sorry to hear that Jude. Not attractive but maybe some cycle type skateboard kneepad thingies. Depending on how you have to dress for work you could always pop your work gear in a bag and dress once once there. I'm sure what happened to your other half happens more often than reported so I'm sure there's something you can buy. Not being nosey, but will the kneecap heal properly if just in plaster? Craig

In Scarborough you see few push bikes on the roads despite a fairly low level of traffic. However you see plenty on the pavements or on the cycle tracks. In my opinion if you intend to use roads you would be far better off buying a small 125/150 cc motorcycle. They don't use much fuel but can get you out of the way of braindead motorists and careless drivers very quickly should the need arise... and of course they don't inspire the sort of contempt that push bikes often do in the eyes of other road users. Sorry to hear about P - hope he heals quickly and cleanly. Take care J!

Jude, I hope they're right, he must have been in some pain there. Craig