Should the riders be allowed to ride without helmets on the MTFs?

[jens_attacks]

i'm curious about your opinion.don't forget,it's only about the MTF's.

 

[Kvinto]

i can't imagine how (and where) whole the riders would simultaneously begin to take off their helmets - too dangerous

 

[jens_attacks]

i can't imagine how (and where) whole the riders would simultaneously begin to take off their helmets - too dangerous

i hope this is sarcasm no?
because that option in the poll is

 

[Kvinto]

i hope this is sarcasm no?
because that option in the poll is

yes (edit: yes it is in the poll), and i voted for this opinion

 

[hrotha]

i can't imagine how (and where) whole the riders would simultaneously begin to take off their helmets - too dangerous

Well, you can check videos of old stages to see how it was. Pretty chaotic. Not more dangerous than getting bottles from the team car, mind you, but chaotic.

I say keep the helmets on. They're used to them by now.

 

[Kvinto]

Well, you can check videos of old stages to see how it was. Pretty chaotic. Not more dangerous than getting bottles from the team car, mind you, but chaotic.

I say keep the helmets on. They're used to them by now.

they were more used to do it (edit: riding without a helmet or taking it off) back than, now it can be dangerous imo, and in the end what does it change: 180km with a helmet for 20km without it

 

[jens_attacks]

they were more used to do it back than, now it can be dangerous imo, and in the end what does it change: 180km with a helmet for 20km without it

try to ride up a mountain in 40 degrees with that stupid thing on.it makes a difference.also lol at the safety aspect,look at how gibo,di luca and now cobo wear the helmet=)))))))))))))
it can be dangerous to let them at the car,arghhh you kill me.the "you want them dead, murderer!" is a better argument.
usually one guy from the team collected all the helmets from the rest.then safely,let them at the car behind because he was dropped anyway

but the supreme reason for me is that i found it fuccin poetic,you know to take your helmet off in the front of the mountain.now they look all the same,at least let them on zoncolan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQencqVD-0

watch the beginning.chapeau you lovely mountain!

 

[hrotha]

try to ride up a mountain in 40 degrees with that stupid thing on.it makes a difference.also lol at the safety aspect,look at how gibo,di luca and now cobo wear the helmet=)))))))))))))

To be honest, this argument is not any better than "it's dangerous to drop helmets at the cars." Pro riders are used to helmets, in summer or winter. They all have to wear it so any difference it makes is irrelevant. They have been coping with mandatory helmets for years (and for decades, as far as amateur cycling is concerned), so "but it's hot!" is not a very compelling argument either.

The only reason to allow riders to take off their helmets would be to make recognizing them on TV or on the road easier. Let's argue that, then, instead of irrelevant stuff about how helmets are hot.

 

[trevim]

try to ride up a mountain in 40 degrees with that stupid thing on.it makes a difference.also lol at the safety aspect,look at how gibo,di luca and now cobo wear the helmet=)))))))))))))
it can be dangerous to let them at the car,arghhh you kill me.the "you want them dead, murderer!" is a better argument.
usually one guy from the team collected all the helmets from the rest.then safely,let them at the car behind because he was dropped anyway

but the supreme reason for me is that i found it fuccin poetic,you know to take your helmet off in the front of the mountain.now they look all the same,at least let them on zoncolan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQencqVD-0

watch the beginning.chapeau you lovely mountain!

I honestly don't know if the helmet has that much effect in hot days. I don't race but I ride my bike often at 40º and my head is not where the heat strikes me the most But of course, in competition it may do a difference...

 

[Kvinto]

@jens_attacks

imo the problem is that speed at the bottom of the climb is still pretty high (it's clearly seen on the video) and no way it is the same as the feed zone (because of the battle for a better position) so i think i have the right to call it dangerous

 

[jens_attacks]

I honestly don't know if the helmet has that much effect in hot days. I don't race but I ride my bike often at 40º and my head is not where the heat strikes me the most But of course, in competition it may do a difference...

also in full-effort mode a true pro would want to be as light as possible.even if the helmet is not heavy,actually it would be better without it.

funny how much of you guys picked "no" but until now just one argument:

I say keep the helmets on. They're used to them by now.

yep that's why a big percent of them is training without them

 

[trevim]

When did it became forbidden to ride without helmets on MTF? Was it after Andrei Kivilev's death? I seem to remember guys without helmets on my early cycling memories of the Volta Portugal.

 

[The Hitch]

When did it became forbidden to ride without helmets on MTF? Was it after Andrei Kivilev's death? I seem to remember guys without helmets on my early cycling memories of the Volta Portugal.

Alpe 2004 was without helmets.

Speaking of which Ill throw Jens a bone. Mtts like the Kronplatz or Alpe can have no helmets but taking them off, nah too dangerous.

 

[jens_attacks]

Alpe 2004 was without helmets.

Speaking of which Ill throw Jens a bone. Mtts like the Kronplatz or Alpe can have no helmets but taking them off, nah too dangerous.

what about letting them at a soigneur after 1-2 km of climb then?you know,like trowing them away without making any dangerous moves on the bike...

jeebuz people you are following a tough sport,not a sissies sport.when the hell leaving the helmets at a collegue become too dangerous?now you are also having a nice route of tour de france.

 

[Arnout]

I voted hell yes. In my opinion there is no good reason why it shouldn't be allowed and I rather watch cyclists with faces than with some sort of cauliflower on their heads. Also, I think most riders are smart enough to make judgments about it being too dangerous or not. I think some descents in the Tour or Giro are more dangerous but they are generally accepted (although the fuss about descents this year makes me worry about the future...).

Actually when I ride in the mountains myself when I know a long climb is coming I regularly hang my helmet on my bicycle in some sort of way. Its a bit cumbersome, but still worth it due to the comfort of riding without helmet. And that is on open road from a guy who started wearing a helmet the moment he started riding his bike (well, not my commuter bike, in the Netherlands wearing a helmet when commuting is a bit of a social no-no).

 

[hrotha]

also in full-effort mode a true pro would want to be as light as possible.even if the helmet is not heavy,actually it would be better without it.

funny how much of you guys picked "no" but until now just one argument:

I say keep the helmets on. They're used to them by now.

yep that's why a big percent of them is training without them

You're implying they're not used to wearing helmets in competition, even though that's what they've been doing for 7 years now, if not during their whole lives? That's ridiculous.

I didn't say they like helmets. I said they're used to them.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

I think No, but voted Murderer because it's funny

 

[Libertine Seguros]

At the moment, the rules actually give provision to ride without a helmet on a mountain time trial, I believe; this was mentioned at the time of the Kronplatz ITT. However, not one rider decided to rock up without one. They're so used to them now.

Watch the video of the 2004 Bormio ascent, with the riders all dumping their lids in the town. The Saeco red train on the front has so many riders they can't take all back to the car in one go, and a couple of riders (I think Eddy Mazz is one) just sling them to the side of the road where they career off barriers. One could easily bounce back into the road and cause a huge accident, especially with other riders not fully concentrating on the road as they take their own lids off.

Maybe it's more romantic to see the riders climbing with no helmet on, but that's all it is.

 

[will10]

At the moment, the rules actually give provision to ride without a helmet on a mountain time trial, I believe; this was mentioned at the time of the Kronplatz ITT. However, not one rider decided to rock up without one. They're so used to them now.

Watch the video of the 2004 Bormio ascent, with the riders all dumping their lids in the town. The Saeco red train on the front has so many riders they can't take all back to the car in one go, and a couple of riders (I think Eddy Mazz is one) just sling them to the side of the road where they career off barriers. One could easily bounce back into the road and cause a huge accident, especially with other riders not fully concentrating on the road as they take their own lids off.

Maybe it's more romantic to see the riders climbing with no helmet on, but that's all it is.

I don't think that's the case, correct me if I'm wrong. I think the ban for MTTs came in after the ban for all MTFs, but I do believe you have to wear a helmet for every road stage now.

 

[Fatclimber]

As long as they all have the same option it doesn't matter to me. Bringing them back to the car is ridiculous tho, just chuck them to the fans like a water bottle. If anybody messes up and their helmet rolls back onto the road they get put on the podium at the end of the stage and stoned by the rest of the peloton.

If there's a beef with being able to identify riders, fix that by having big numbers sticking off the top of their helmets. You know, like the candles on a birthday cake.

 

[craig1985]

That was from the 2005 Volta a Catalunya. The last time I can remember the peloton doing a MTT sans helmet.

 

[SirLes]

Should be able to take off helmets because it looks much cooler imo!

With helmets and sunglasses the riders look less human.

Yes, I now it's only cosmetic, but given the whole sport is an exercise in marketing I think looks should count.

 

[chasbo]

Riders should be allowed when and where they wear their helmets.

 

[auscyclefan94]

After what has happened this year I think helmets are a must for all cyclists.

 

[gregod]

..

funny how much of you guys picked "no" but until now just one argument:

I say keep the helmets on. They're used to them by now.

yep that's why a big percent of them is training without them

it was a difficult decision, but i voted no for the same reasoning.

a lot of riders do train without helmets, but that number is decreasing. where i live, i never see people training without a helmet even though it is perfectly legal to do so, unlike australia, i think.