This Could Have Been My Head!
My rear-view European Reevu helmet. Guess it's time to retire it.
The Tour Divide was such a grueling race that it seemed like every piece of equipment I used took a beating. Even those not part of or attached to the bike.
For example, take a look at my European Reevu helmet. I just fully inspected it today. It was a helmet I used for the last five years — one I was reluctant to retire because it has a novel embedded mirror that was by far the best rear-view bicycle solution I have ever seen or used, but it is no longer made or sold anywhere anymore. Guess it is time to retire it now.
Click on the image below for a larger view:
I suspect the cracks were from my last crash on Day 26 (July 8th) of the Tour Divide. I was in the middle of the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico during a monsoon and night time had befallen, but I was determined to carry on in a desperate attempt to reach a town (Mimbres, NM) that carried food for the first time in 200 miles — that is, until I toppled over the side of a rut I completely didn’t see, my headlights not being quite adequate for the torn-up, rain-battered trail.
Too bad — this means I will need to acquire a “normal” helmet now and look for (or develop my own) another rear-view bicycle solution. Without some sort of mirror, I’d now feel somewhat naked particularly when commuting in traffic.
Ah, well — I guess this is an opportunity to wear a helmet that looks a little more fashionable and less Darth Vader-like. And at least my skull is still intact!
Elizabeth said:
Yes! Please don’t wear that helmet! Ouch! They can be expensive but are probably the best investment a cyclist can make.
RunColo said:
That’s crazy. I split a helmet completely down the middle once, flew off my road bike and hit the back of my head, knocked me out for a few seconds.
It’s crazy to think that if a helmet can split, what it would have done to your soft head. Smart to wear a helmet.