(Bike) Helmets Save Lives!

[Joe Ganzler]

Two weeks ago while riding my usual 26 mile paved bike trail, I rounded one of the "blind curves" at ~25mph. There in my lane (the paved trail is about 12 feet wide, divided by a yellow "center line") was a Gen-X bimbo moron on her beach cruiser bike parked with both feet on the ground. I had zero time to brake - I remember tucking my head slightly and bracing for impact. I hit her with my left shoulder and the very front of my helmet, then cascaded HARD down on my right side. I was unconscious for ~2 minutes, drooled and babbled for ~2 minutes, then was dazed and confused for about 15 minutes, according to my riding partner. Earned me a trip to the ER, 2 CAT scans and a chest X-Ray - net result being a Grade 2 concussion. Here's proof positive that bike helmets save lives. If I had NOT been wearing my Giro Atmos helmet, there is little doubt in what's left of my mind that I would be dead now; or worse...

Needless to say, I replaced this helmet (Giro's 2nd best offering) with Giro's BEST helmet the next day. I urge all of you who ride ANYTHING with two wheels, or engage in anything of danger to your noggin (Skateboarding, roller blading, motorcycling, etc.) to wear a helmet. Have this discussion/show these photos to your children too. I'm still pretty banged up, and suffering from mild headaches and light dizziness, as is consistent with this level of concussion. I'm happy that I'm not hooked up to a machine keeping my "alive" while my wife figures out when to pull the plug on my brain-dead ass!:salude

 

[MikeSlub]

Wow, Joe! :wow I'm glad you are okay! What a scary event! Will be praying for you to return to complete health (healed wounds, no headaches, no dizzyness, etc.) :dude: :headbange :salude

 

[sidekick]

Glad it saved your life... :bike

There are loads more cyclists in London UK now and all too few wear helmets... Some people will never learn...

 

[Michael Minnis]

Wow, Joe! That's a scary story. Thank God you're all right. Take care of yourself.

 

[Sean French]

Glad you didn't get serously hurt Joe.:salude
Helmets are life savers.:2zone

 

[Don]

That helmet gave it's life for you!!!

My daughter put two helmets out of commission that way by the time she was fifteen years old. They served her well and she was fine!

 

[pepejara]

Glad you´re well! I am a mountain bike fan, and the first time I went out with my bike (about 15 years ago) I put my helmet on and since then there has not been a time I went out without it, congrats...

 

[roadrunner]

Glad you're ok!

Ya gotta watch out for those "bimbo morons", they'll get you every time.:lol

 

[cherrick]

Why were you riding so fast in such conditions?

 

[access]

Its a "Ganz" thing.......You wouldn't understand.

 

[Chef Greg]

Glad you're okay -- how's the girl that you collided with?

 

[cherrick]

Its a "Ganz" thing.......You wouldn't understand.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159630

Yes, I would.

And I too wonder how the "bimbo" who got run over at 25 mph is.

 

[Red Baron]

Over here if you get caught not wearing a helmet you get booked.
Luckily you have the good sense to wear one Joe.

 

[J T]

Glad to hear you're doing ok.

Babbling and Drooling? Hey That's what I do every time I see a pic of one of your guitars.

 

[Joe Ganzler]

Glad you're okay -- how's the girl that you collided with?

Who cares? It was HER fuckin' fault! Actually, being that she was on a 45 pound steel bike, she merely had a cut elbow and a cut knee. She really didn't seem too concerned about herself OR me, honestly...

 

[cherrick]

Who cares? It was HER fuckin' fault! Actually, being that she was on a 45 pound steel bike, she merely had a cut elbow and a cut knee. She really didn't seem too concerned about herself OR me, honestly...

No doubt it was her fault for being a) in the way and b) oblivious.

It was also your fault for riding too fast on a bike trail very likely populated with oblivious people. If you couldn't stop in time then by definition, you were riding too fast for conditions which include visibility around turns.

Now, just so there's no confusion, re-read the preceeding paragraph.