Cycling.

This is a very rant-y post and I might get a bit graphic later on. Apologies. (You have been warned!)

The women I work with at M&S are very nice. They are also more protective than my mother, father, all grandparents, aunties and uncles combined (I might have exaggerated a little-my aunties and uncles don't know where I work). Now obviously I'm a cyclist and so, I cycle the 7-or-so miles to work however I do take the slightly longer route that keeps me off the A-road and mainly on B-roads with cycle paths. I always have very powerful lights on the front and back and usually I'll wear a day-glow cycle jacket or a reflective builder's vest. If I have my rucksack with me it has a high visibility waterproof cover and another red light clipped to it. I like to think I'm a safe cyclist, I did my cycling proficiency in year 5 (when I was 9 or 10) and I've been cycling on busy main roads for several years and have learnt a few tips/tricks to help me on my way-my parents have also shown me some. But one thing that really peeves me off is when people tell me to wear a helmet.

At work today, two of the ladies asked me if I had lights, a reflective jacket and a helmet. I said yes to all but the last. Their response was to command me to wear a helmet to work on Thursday (my next shift) or else they would nag me. Now I appreciate their concern (I also appreciate the lifts people keep offering me-even though I try to explain that I cycle because I want to, not because I have to!) but I have roughly 4 reasons for not wearing a helmet and they go as follows (and I am aware that they don't always apply):

1. I believe the more efficient and competent a cyclist so appear to be to drivers, the less they take notice of you. If you cycle in a t-shirt and shorts, especially at my age, drivers are more likely to see you as a reckless teenager who might suddenly swerve or change direction so I think they pay more attention and keep more distance.
2. Wearing a helmet may make you feel more secure and therefore take more risks. OK this is a sketchy one. My theory is that even subconsciously, the process of wearing a helmet makes you slightly less wary of cars/vans/lorries and could potentially encourage you to take more risks.
3. You get a sweaty head. Who likes having a sweaty head, especially just before work? Need more be said?!
4. A helmet probably won't save your life. I couldn't think how to paraphrase this one so let me explain. Most fatalities from cycling accidents are going to be because of crush injuries to the torso and abdomen (probably from falling under a HUGE vehicle and dragged) or blunt force trauma from where something slams into the side/front/back of you. Now I'm going to guess that in either of those instances a helmet would indeed help a little, but the amount of damage that has been done to every other part of your body means that the helmet wearing would've been pretty insignificant (and you're probably already dead). I did try to google this earlier and to prove this theory correct was remarkably difficult...but it's OK, I have a theory for that as well! I reckon that statistics for head injuries are so high because...oh wait, I forgot! Whoops! (Leave me alone it's gone midnight and I'm tired).

Anhyhooo, before this turns into a tired Damson rambling, I don't wear a helmet, I probably never will and yes, if I die from a bike accident where I landed flat on my head I'll look like a numpty but I'm willing to make that risk. My dad has a book of cycling rules (by the Velominati) and rule 5 is: Harden the f@*$ up...and with that, I bid you a goodnight!