Skull Protection

I got a new helmet just before the race. I’ve been waffling over a new helmet for about a year and looking at the Steelhead race information has prompted me to finally go out and buy one. The race info stated that the everyone needed to have a race helmet that is either ANSI approved or it needs to be less than three years old. My helmet (I don’t think) is either. So what’s a guy to do…? I shopped around looking at the best value that I can get in a helmet. I wanted it to be light weight with plenty of ventilation as well as excellent protection to the noggin.

I looked at the latest magazine and found that they suggested the Bell Sweep R as the best value helmet with the Giro Pneumo a close second… so it was off to try to find one. I searched several stores as well and even some bike specific stores with no avail for the elusive Bell Sweep. I finally did find one at the local Tri store but the price was staggering… $160 and the color selection was limited. I looked for my second choice in helmets… the Giro Pneumo. I ended up at REI and found the last Giro in my size. It must be kismet because the only color left in my size was white. I have this recurring dream of me riding on black two lane asphalt highway with the sun beating down on me and the heat rising up from the asphalt. In it I am wearing a white helmet. I tried it on and it fits like a glove with its Roc Loc 4 adjustment system… so I bought it. The thing I like about it is the size and amount of the vents it has.

More on the vents in a future post.