[Xela]

Kind of along those lines, my buddy and I were riding yesterday. Only going about 15 to 20 mph, when some idiot passing us in a pick-up threw a nearly full can of Mountain Dew and struck my friend in the shoulder. I was following him and saw how substantial the impact was. Now he has the swelling and bruise to demonstrate how hard it hit him.

If he had not have been wearing a helmet and this would have hit him in the head, it would have caused serious injury.

Also, there are many other stories on this forum about inattentive or malicious drivers that actually run us off the road.

I guess my point is that no matter how careful you are, there are always factors beyond your control.

[crazyjarhead]

I wear a helmet now and always will.

When I was young and stupid in college I didn't. Was drafting on a car one day (in their blind spot). Poor driver did a right turn and I impacted the right front. My bike went off into the parking lot and I did a nice flip over the hood of the car. My body surfing instincts took over and I did a shoulder roll and tucked my head (all unconsciously). First thing I remember is lying on my bleeding back staring up at a bunch of people staring back at me. Lots of road rash (back, arms, one leg) but I got really lucky with the melon.

[hamster]

Hey London, you are my kind of rider. I too ride my bike very much in my ordinary cloth and from going to Safeway to meet friends in the coffee shop, several times a day everyday. I do encounter crazy drivers time to time but so far, haven't fall off the bike yet. The only time I do wear a Helmets is whenever I ride with a group. I know the person who organize the ride would not accept anyone who doesn't.

[funetical]

Damn Xela that's horrible. I had a friend get a empty whiskey bottle thrown at him.

[London]

Originally Posted by hamster

Hey London, you are my kind of rider. I too ride my bike very much in my ordinary cloth and from going to Safeway to meet friends in the coffee shop, several times a day everyday. I do encounter crazy drivers time to time but so far, haven't fall off the bike yet. The only time I do wear a Helmets is whenever I ride with a group. I know the person who organize the ride would not accept anyone who doesn't.

Had to laugh when I saw that you ride in ordinary cloths. This I do for all occasions unless riding in a timed event. Then I use riding shorts and something snug up top, clipless pedals below. I ride in jeans or gym shorts and T-shirts and sweatshirts with a baseball cap 9 months out of the year. Ski pants for winter. I rather hate the cycling "look". I ride bikes like I rode them in my youth. Never saw any reason for special clothing. Nothing wrong with them, just not my thing. I like to spend money on equipment, not fashion.

You should see the look on some local roadies when they get passed by an old man (52) in jeans riding a CF bike down on the hooks with all his upper clothing flapping in the breeze. It's fun.

As for not being accepted into a group for not wearing a helmet? I wouldn't join any group that would have me.

[London]

Originally Posted by Xela

Kind of along those lines, my buddy and I were riding yesterday. Only going about 15 to 20 mph, when some idiot passing us in a pick-up threw a nearly full can of Mountain Dew and struck my friend in the shoulder. I was following him and saw how substantial the impact was. Now he has the swelling and bruise to demonstrate how hard it hit him.

If he had not have been wearing a helmet and this would have hit him in the head, it would have caused serious injury.

Also, there are many other stories on this forum about inattentive or malicious drivers that actually run us off the road.

I guess my point is that no matter how careful you are, there are always factors beyond your control.

Xela: Kinda spooky your story. When I was about 19, I was riding home from a girlfriend's house late on a winter night. Was struck from behind by a quart glass bottle of Miller beer thrown from a passing car. I was only wearing a light shirt and a heavy sweater. Actually went down on the bars but managed to stay up and stop the bike. (like a horse rider up on the neck of his mount) Hurt a good bit but continued home to find I'd been cut badly through the clothing. Had 22 stiches. Even had the Miller beer label still stuck on my sweater at home. This is how I know the brand.

I now drink only local micro brews.

[Xela]

First and hopefully only time for this here. Although the idiot/a-hole population in this world does seem to be increasing.

Originally Posted by London

I now drink only local micro brews.

Cheers! Favorites?

[CTD50]

Been helmeted since 2001; some of the silliness I've been involved in, it's a good thing, too. The most significant was last October (2008), when I turned my collarbone into a toddler's puzzle.

There's no way I'll ride without one anymore, and my kids wear 'em, too.

[London]

Xela: The business of throwing things from cars at bikes is not that common. (thankfully) Mine and yours are the only two instances of it I've heard of. I'm certain there are others, and posters will probably chime in with their version, but I really think it's like getting zapped by lightning. I'm a rotten cynic about humanity in general, but even I don't worry about this kind of thing much. It's only happened to me once. Not like I'm out there dodging flack all day long.

[Industry_Hack]

I wonder if throwing something from a car would be considered life-threatening. That is, would it justify someone to use force (if they could) against the motorist?