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From: tom@oasys.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: USCF HELMET RULE
Message-ID: <173@oasys.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Feb-86 13:11:32 EST
Article-I.D.: oasys.173
Posted: Fri Feb  7 13:11:32 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Feb-86 04:10:42 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: NBI,Inc, Boulder CO
Lines: 15

I would like to stimulate some discussion on the new United States Cycling
Federation ruling requiring ANSI approved hard-shell helmets in USCF sanctioned
reaces.  Personally, I feel based on eight years of racing experience that
these helmets pose much more of a heat retention problem and therefore heat
exhaustion and heat stroke problem than their added protection is worth.  
In Europe, where bike racing is the number one or two sport in many 
countries, this new ruling has become some what of a joke.  It is accepted 
there that the risks of the sport are understood by the riders.  
	The two best reasons against this ruling I feel are heat problems and 
the freedom an individual should have from others dictating what he should do
for his own benefit.  Please don't answer by saying you have never had heat problems with your hard helmet unless you have been racing as a Category I or II in
100 degree weather in 100+ mile races.  It is at the limits of physical 
exhaustion where heat really becomes a problem.

			Tom Nelson @ NBI in Boulder CO