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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!microsoft!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!carlson
From: carlson@ssc-vax.UUCP (Lee R Carlson)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Panniers, Bikes & cars, Helmets
Message-ID: <539@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 23-Sep-83 11:59:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.539
Posted: Fri Sep 23 11:59:42 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 25-Sep-83 13:20:39 EDT
Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle
Lines: 37

Random Notes:

Panniers:	The bigger you get, the more you take.  I have older
		Frostline bags.  They were lots of fun to make, hold
		a ton (unfortunately).  If you make them, SEAL THE SEAMS!
		I learned that obvious lesson last weekend.

Cars and Bikes:	I drive and bike.  I hate drivers when I ride and dunderheaded
		bikers when I drive.  I have found that signaling, smiling,
		waving thank-you, not passing a short line of cars at lights,
		and making positive eye-contact with drivers has reduced my
		likelyhood of bad experiences to one class of drivers.
		This class is the 16-18 mentality-age male driver.  The
		louder the car, wider the tires, and more watts/channel, the
		longer the horn blast and narrower the space between driver
		and biker.  So much for sweeping generalizations.

Helmets:	I bought my Bell Biker years ago when they first came out,
		and was one of the 2% that wore a helmet at the time.
		But I noticed something, with the helmet, I found driving
		in traffic much easier.  Was it the psychological knowledge
		that my brains wouldn't be completely scrambled on a fall,
		or (as I suspect) drivers realized that I was a "serious"
		biker, and would be less likely to make random moves into
		their path?  Any other reactions?  Any correlation between
		helmet wearing and seatbelting? (in cars)

		Also, has anyone ever owned more than one brand of helmet?
		Any comments?  I am badgering some friends into getting
		helmets and I can't make much of an unbiased recomendation
		as I've only worn my Biker.


Happy biking...

Lee R. Carlson - Boeing Aerospace - Seattle - ..uw-beaver!ssc-vax!carlson