The helmet saved my life

[Tom Gakes]

After suffering brain injury as a kid (see my prevoious blog post), I escaped from another big desaster last saturday. In the Dutch cycling race 'Groeistad klassieker' I hit a refuge at more than 55 km/h (about 35 m/h). My bike was completely trashed. I broke the frame, handlebar and front wheel. Beside the bike, I also broke my helmet on 9(!) places. Miraculously I didn't suffer any severe injuries, but without the helmet I think I wouldn't have survived this crash.

This is another proof of the importance of always wearing a helmet on the bike. I still see too many cyclists riding without a helmet. To all those cyclists I want to say: listen to this story, and many other stories of other people on this site. If you hear all those stories, it must convince you to wear a helmet.

I hope adding this post will convince more people to wear a helmet. I always did, and I always will. I'm proud af that, and hope you will be too.

Tom Gakes

[Randy]

Tom:

I am so glad to hear that you are OK. Like you, I am sure that my helmet saved my life, or at least spared me from more serious injuries.

I have the badges of several good get-offs. I will always keep these broken helmets as a reminder.

Like you, it always amazes me when I see riders not wearing helmets. I always have the best helmet available. You have probably heard the saying, "Ten dollar helmet, ten dollar head." What does this say about riders who do not wear helmets?

Randy

[DAVID DEMERY]

Tom you are right. About 4 years ago I used to ride the bike with just a cycling cap on. I am blind in my left eye because of my previous accident whn I was run over by a truck. I did not see this car turning so I ran into a moving car. Went down and hit my head. After that I wear a helmat all the time when I ride.

[Gerda]

Thank God you are ok. You are right, always wear that helmet, you never know what will happen if you are out there.