my brother just wrecked

[hairygrump]

My mom just called me from Michigan. My brother was found unconscious on the road last night with both the bones in his right forearm sticking a little more than inch out of the skin. He went over the bars on his ride home from work at his LBS, but the concussion prevents him from recalling what happened. There's no evidence that a car interfered with him.

He's alive and in pain and though there's some risk that his right hand will never be the same again, it's likely that his recovery will be complete. He's going to spend a few months in a cast while his now 5% titatanium forearm becomes whole again. He won't be able to ride his bike or play his guitar for a few months, which is unthinkable. I don't know if his right hand will even be useful enough to play video games for a while. What must that be like?

I wrote this because there isn't anything else I can do.

We should wear our helmets when we commute. I almost never do, and I think I'm going to start. I excuse myself because I think it interferes with my hearing and wrecks my situational awareness. Suddenly it's clear to me that I hear better when I go slower, so rather than bag the helmet I'm just going to slow down. My brother would probably be dead if he hadn't had his on, and that might have killed me.

I'm going for a ride.

[Rotifer]

Man, sorry about your brother Hairy. You're right, I frequently bag the helmet when I commute to work ... it's nice to feel the air and such. I've had some close calls lately as well, time to slow down a little and avoid injury. Good luck and take care.

[LittleBigMan]

Thanks, for the info about your brother. I hope he heals quickly!

A helmet saved me some serious injuries and the manufacturer gave me a new one to replace it.

I never rode with a helmet as a kid (they weren't sold in the 1970's) and never hurt my coconut. But I always ride with one now, especially since I mix it up with motorists on main arteries, now.

Glad your brother's ok!!

[Divscotty]

I sure do hope your brother has a complete recovery.

I always wear my helmet to work. People backing out of their driveways during a rain storm often have a hard time seeing me even if I have lights on. It pays to be safe. But I would sure rather have a waterproof hood over my head.

Good Luck.

[Rotifer]

I wore my helmet to work today.

[The Gordo]

Louisville now has a mandatory helmet law for all users of the X-Treme park, and people under 16 in the Metro Park systems. I damn near never use mine (It's full face Troy Lee) unless I'm racing DS or BMX. A full face helmet seriously restricts the hearing and periferial vision. I do have an old Neon Green Paramount Helmet... But I'm waaaay too cool to wear that thing.

[Divscotty]

I had the unfortunate experience to spend 35 days in the Hospital in Salt Lake City. Waiting - and in that time you meet other waiting people - One particular set of waiting parents felt fortunate after 10 days their son's brain showed some signs of waking and 3 days later he was able to squeeze a tennis ball on command. - I always wear a helmet and I wonder if he ever got better.

[The Gordo]

Wow:

I still don't wear a helmet. I've broken several bones in DH, BMX, and DS races but never hit my head, except for that one time in Traverse City MI... Thank Troy Lee I was wearing a helmet to withstand a 46mph impact... But for tooling around in the city, I'm secure in my skills. If you are not secure in your skills, I suggest you always wear a helmet.

Manualing a X-Up over the Cadillac that just tried to kill me:

[hairygrump]

Originally posted by The Gordo

But for tooling around in the city, I'm secure in my skills. If you are not secure in your skills, I suggest you always wear a helmet.


I think what made me think more about wearing my helmet more was that as secure as my brother is in his skills (way more so than me) he still wiped out and has no recollection of why. Sometimes the road just jumps out from under you at 25mph and its better to be ready for that eventuality. You roll around on 2 wheels long enough and you fall over sideways. Lateral instability is part of wheeled mobility.

It's not that I don't feel safe when I'm riding... I never think I'm going to fall and I rarely do. It's just that it still happens and you just have to pick between looking like a dork and being ready for a blow to the head. I figure now that I look like a dork anyway, so I might as well rock the melon shell.

[Divscotty]

Dork? I tell you what Brian (a guy I use to work with) thinks of Dork. He never wore a helmet sking or on bikes and this guy was good on both. He would fly off a mountain side and do helicopter type moves. Way fun to ski with. Brian was hit by a car - NOT HIS FAULT - but it was his brains. the last report I got is he is now tying his own shoes now. But I believe in freedom of choice. No helmet - it's your choice - but as a tax payer I should also not have to pay for it either. Oregon has a state medical plan so that means the tax payer pays medical bills.

[Rotifer]

I understand your reasoning Gordo and firmly believe wearing a helmet is a personal matter - just like wearing headphones. I have to say, though, that I routinely went without (on my commute) prior to reading about grump's brother. Overconfidence is frequently what causes my road accidents and that story jarred something in me .. not worth the risk. Plus, I enjoy the accident picks at Ogrish (http://www.ogrish.com) - well, i don't enjoy this stuff, but I find it fascinating. Check out some of the motorcycle pics ... holy wow!