Hi Guys,
I’m back to talk about my bike commute again.
This time round I’m gonna talk about getting some protection for my head. Erm.. depending on what gets you going, my previous sentence might sound darn weird.. Well, I meant getting a helmet… ok that didn’t come out totally right as well. I’m just going to show you a photo.
Bicycle Helmet
Yes bicycle helmet, its all clear now. I researched a little on that and considered some second hand options. I ended up with the above, the Giro Sutton helmet. I like its urban design with clean lines that doesn’t stand out too much. One of the key deciding factor is the 2 holes reinforced with hard plastic that lets you lock you helmet to the bike with a U lock. But now that I own it, I think its a marketing gimmick and I’m the idiot who totally fell for it.
And I got it in a light grey colour. Because there was a great discount on that colour. I only get cheap deals. So this colour kinda defeats the ‘doesn’t stand out too much’ part..
Wearing a Helmet
Riding with this helmet lets me feel.. nothing. That’s great isn’t it?? When I have it on my head, adjusting it to fit my big head, its so light and comfortable I forgot its on my head! But I had to fight the urge to remove it and cover my face in shame when I ride pass anybody. I just think wearing a helmet is tacky when 70% of the riders on the street didn’t wear one. I kept feeling this way until one of my recent dumb mistake I made while riding that changed my mind…
Mounting a Curb at High Speed
Initially, Claire wanted me to get a helmet because she knew how fast I like to ride. And on this day after work, I was kinda tired. I was still riding really fast and while looking out for cars, I failed to notice I was going into a turn too fast. When I finally realised my mistake, I tried to brake real hard. That would’ve made me fly out of my bike if not for me adopting a proper posture. I learn that from youtube and my night practices.
Not flying off my bike though, isn’t really helping my situation. I panicked and released my brakes. Ending with me crashing my front wheel into the curb and hurling my bike towards a lamp post. Lamp posts are really my nemesis while I’m on a bike, I had a history of crashing into lamp posts.
I jumped out of my bike in time to avoid the lamp post.
Fortunately, my bike is sturdy enough to withstand this little crash. I only had a dislodged bike chain to fix. And I was so darn glad that I’ve got a helmet on, even though I didn’t made use of it. But a helmet is the kind of stuff that you rather not have to use it at all.
So from this day onwards, I will wear a helmet whenever I ride.
So guys, wear helmets ok? Regardless of whether its in the day or at night..
Simon Tey
