Debate

There is an ongoing debate you might be aware of around whether helmets should be worn in cycling. Obviously they are now required in all forms of competition, but the real debate is around wearing them for “normal” cycling.

When it was first suggested that I should wear one I was strongly against it, but now always ride with one. Not putting one on feels wrong like driving without a seatbelt, and I’ve seen the benefits from people who have got away with crashes that would have done a lot more damage without one on. That said, I consider myself a mountain biker and helmets have always fitted the more extreme image of the sport, even if you are just riding cross country.

Some excellent points on this subject were penned yesterday by Chris Boardman and they are well worth a read.

The hot topic in road cycling at the moment is the hour record, thanks to a change in the rules allowing more aero bikes to be used. A slew of riders are lining up to ride it, Jens Voigt set the first marker a few months ago, but that record was broken last week by Matthias Brändle, a pro for IAM Cycling at 24 years old. Everyone expects Wiggins to smash the record next year, with Cancellera the only likely challenger to him, but it’s interesting seeing who is up for a tilt at the record.

Meanwhile Jon Tiernan-Locke is digging himself a deeper hole.

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