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From: joels@tekred.UUCP (Joel Swank)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: USCF HELMET RULE
Message-ID: <446@tekred.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 10-Feb-86 20:34:47 EST
Article-I.D.: tekred.446
Posted: Mon Feb 10 20:34:47 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Feb-86 07:52:18 EST
References: <173@oasys.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 30

> 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 


It never ceases to amaze me how bicycle racers are vehemently against safety
equipment. This doesn't seem to be true in any other sport. No professional
auto racer would go out without a helmet, fire suit and lots of in-car safety
equipment. Baseball players don't complain about having to wear a helmet
at the plate. Motorcycle racers never complain about wearing helmet and
leathers. Football players are glad to wear lots of protective padding.
I'm sure there are lots of other examples. Bicycle racers, though, insist
on their right to bleed and die. Maybe you just have to be stupid to get
into bicycle racing in the first place.

Joel Swank
Tektronix, Redmond Oregon