May 05, 2022

WHY DO WE WEAR HELMETS?

THE FASTEST I'VE EVER GONE ON A BICYCLE WAS 63 MPH. I was helmetless, drafting a loaded diesel down Parley's Canyon on I-80. Aboard my Cannondale touring bike...

... shorts, t-shirt and shades.

Of those who latched on at the top of the steep decline, I was the last to get popped. When I finally pulled off, it occurred to me...

... that wasn't too smart.

Had I flatted or hit a wheel-destroying pothole or had a rock been thrown up at my face...

... a helmet wouldn't have saved me.

So why wear one?

Simple answer: there are plenty of lower speed oopsies where a helmet makes all the difference.

Better answer: a sexy helmet looks cool and makes us feel fast.

Best answer: the helmet serves as an unstated reminder that racing is a mental game, as much as it is physical.

At some point...

it's going to hurt
things are going to go wrong
we are going to doubt our abilities

... if we aren't mentally tough, we aren't going to make it.

We must create mental helmets to protect us from the false and weakening beliefs trying to get inside our heads.

Personally, I like a good rapper name. A WWF moniker. Dubbing ourselves with powerful titles...

... to remind of us of who we really are.

Years ago I fell in love with MTB racing, quickly learning I wasn't the best at the shorter more vicious efforts. My talent lie in keeping my speed up, blasting through technical sections, eating and drinking and rolling right by competitors at the end of much longer races...

... bearing down like that heavy diesel I drafted long ago.

I'm The Diesel.

Unstoppable.

Who are you?
Whats's your power?
Where are you strongest?
When will you unleash this strength?
How will you remember when all seems lost?

Why?

Why not?

Nobody else can do this for you.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit

Of course we all wear helmets all the time.

Especially on insane rides that are likely to fail, like the inaugural (that' ambitious) Surf-N-Summit.

We aren't driving, we're riding.

On gravel, single track, and pavement.