A question on helmets...

[Amy]

Do people find or feel they are more likely to dehydrate and overheat while wearing a helmet?

A friend has asked the CTC who have no knowledge of any research looking into this aspect of wearing a helmet and I was just wondering what people in the club felt.

[ThePinkDreamMachine]

I see you thinking but this is a subject close to my heart and head..

I've never known any thing different. its like auto pilot and it feels wrong to even be on the rollers without it. It saved my life back in August.

As for the heat issues: in relation to the 39’c we were exposed to in italy. It was maybe cooler for a few seconds when i took it off at the top of a climb but after those few seconds its just as warm with out it on as it was with it. So you could say its worth wearing one for those few refreshing seconds.

Mine is really comfy and I just forget its on my head. It also keeps the sun off as I’m always burning my scalp and my hair goes white!!
You may say 'a cap can do that' but i think a helmet is cooler (in heat terms) than a cap as the vents allow your head to breath.

Also I see so many crashes that its just not worth it for maybe the small degrees cooler it may keep you.

As for dehydrate and overheating.. now as you may have noticed i’m always boiling even in the winter but in the summer I have found is more down to the colour of your top and sweltering hot jerseys. So I’d rather have a hot head and risk the chance of a bit of road rash to keep cool, although even then when did last fall off my longer shorts and sleeves did nothing to stop the rash.

I am PRO helmet I’m afraid.

Right thats enough ranting from me .... Please don’t let this start a sleeves War as cycling weekly is now Pro sleeveless on girls. hooray!!

[huw williams]

This might sound bonkers but wearing a cloth cap on long rides (under the helmet) can be great help because you can soak it with cold water every so often

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="huw williams"]This might sound bonkers but wearing a cloth cap on long rides (under the helmet) can be great help because you can soak it with cold water every so often

[quote="Snoop Doug"][quote="huw williams"]This might sound bonkers but wearing a cloth cap on long rides (under the helmet) can be great help because you can soak it with cold water every so often

[Andrew G]

I find it feels a lot hotter with a helmet on when the sun is out to play. If I'm wearing one in hot weather then I wear a white bandana underneath which helps a bit due to the sweat soaking/cooling and also put water on it to cool - use a bandana rather than a cap as they're thinner and more breathable. Ideally I prefer a white cap in hot weather as the best option.

[adrian]

[quote="Sean Hogan - 何祥"]After a week in sweltering heat out in Italy i came back to see countless people on the club run in black! No joking here, but there is a reason white is so popular out there and this touches on what we're discussing here. White reflects the sun's rays and the heat whereas black absorbs it. Though I'd draw the line at all white kit, there a case for more white in the heat than less.

[Amy]

The question was not intended to be contentious, Sean.

It's probably something that might affect those who tend not to wear a helmet but then have to for certain events for example. If you've never ridden without a helmet then you're more used to the effect and counter it without thinking it about it (or not).

Apparently research has been done on the wearing of helmets in cricket (!) which has found it can contribut to a loss of concentration

From what everyone is saying though it looks like I'm going to have to stick my hair under the water butts at feeding stations

And yes, Sean, please do NOT wear white shorts

[Alex P]

Why not white shorts?

[Wal]

[quote]Why not white shorts?

[quote="Wal"][quote]Why not white shorts?

[Michelle]

[Alex P]

Wal, thanks for the photo as I was desparately trying to find it and add it to my post at the time ..there is also a similar one out there with a team wearing white shorts...