h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"As I have noted before, I do want everybody to keep their respective comman side. On the road on the sidewalks and on the bicycle tracks.

The latter went wrong (again) today, another cycler came round the corner on my side. I already was clinging to the wall to give way to a cycler just entering the path using a rather wide turn. I tilted my bike until our tires touched but my head bumped into the elbow of the cycler cutting the corner on the wrong side.

Sliding over the pavement. All limbs Ok, knee a little dirty, bicycle not really damaged (probably some scratches on the steer). On the last meters to home I had the idea my head would go bursting. But all felt ok, I could move my jaw fine and did not find loose bits of molars like last time.

Parking my bicycle in the garage I touched my ear. This was a bad idea As I felt the earlobe was dangling a little too loose.
The doctor had to make four stitches to bring all together again. No ear flapping for the next two quiks. And I have to return next quik to let them remove the stitches.

I do not know of such but is there anyone familair with bicycle helmets with jaw protector?"

Ouch!

I have heard of a cycle helmet which has a full face (a bit like a full face motorcycle helmet) however I'm not sure whether I would recommend it necessarily, as it may interfere with visibility. If you like, I'll do a bit of research for you.

OK, had a quick look:

http://www.weekdayshopper.com/shop/full-face-bicycle-helmet.cfm

http://www.eboodle.com/buy/products__cat_id--12030111,keyword--Full%20Face,rf--wgg.html

http://www.best-online-price.co.uk/argos-search-cat-Bicycle%20helmets.html

http://www.outsydecycles.com/Helmets_BMX_Full_Face.htm

Traveller in Time bandage on his ear ( on a perch wondering what is wrong)
"Thanks for the research, I have informed at some local shops before. Never really concidered using one anyway. Now I have some leads to convince the shopowners they do exist.
I think I will go for a blue one, will love it. You are right about the limited vision range by the full face versions but last time I broke my jaw on two places. It took me two dandas before I could enjoy a cheese sandwich again. (not mashed with a straw)"

Good luck in finding a suitable one.

Whereabouts are you based at present?

My advice would be to give the culprit a good right hook; that'll teach him

Traveller in Time on top
"That is about what happened last time an opposite walking jogger hit me and broke my jaw on two places. Hence the full face helmet. And I now will draw some nice images on the path."

lurking in the image library
"There is an image of this bicycle path Blobbed! However we will not tell which<?>"

This type of accident is the reason I prefer to ride recumbent bikes. Much more comfortable, heads are up naturally and they have a lower center of gravity, and most important the head is not the foremost part of the bike (they are faster, corner better and are more easily seen also). Some even have wind screens that block the wind and anything else that gets in the way like the "wrong way" biker.

Here in The pacific Northwest we have a lot of cyclists and mostly they stay on the correct side of the road, and we also have wide bike lanes. Sorry to hear about this terrible pain. I hope you recover rapidly

Good luck with your recovery
dim26trav

Recumbentman ( U208656 ) would no doubt agree with you. I'd be a bit nervous about not being seen as recumbents are quite low (and OK I admit, I'd be worried about falling off, but I suppose it's a question of getting used to them). We don't see many of them in my neck of the woods. How do they cope with hills?

Traveller in Time on his head
"You should carry a vane with you to be seen, together with lots of reflectors. And uphill I would lower gear."

Nephew Who calculating some special effects in IE
"Lucky we do not pass such roundabout < A2180800 > I would not know wich direction to choose."

peopel don't ride bicycles on the streets where I live.

Recubents: keep the speed up and gear down hills are no problem going up but it is the going down that is the fun. As a beginner, I am able to keep up with the most experienced cyclist and speed ahead of them going down hill!

Yes, I've talked to recubentman and we agree about most things.

They are certianly much more comfortable and just the ability to keep my head up is worth the extra cost. The ol' buttocks also celebrates the pain free experience.

Give me a 'bent anytime.

What about storage?