-=> Quoting Vern Faulkner to John Thompson <=-
 VF> In addition, helmets can (certainly for me) increase chance of
 VF> accidents, increase fatigue, decrease hearing and vision. No, I am not
 VF> telling lies here. My ability to check traffic behind me is hampered by
 VF> the helmet, especially in rain, where I find that I have to wear
 VF> raingear *under* the helmet, forming a tight mass of fabric around my
 VF> ears. Can't hear a freaking thing anymore. 
Sounds a bit like very poor technique... a properly fit helmet should
turn with your head when you shoulder check... you do turn your head don't
you???  as for rain gear (head type?),well, the best form would be a helmet
cover on the outside... goretex if you have to... no interference there.
Mostly I just wear a headband to keep the heavy water from running into my
eyes... just like for sweat.  In winter I go to a toque to replace some of 
he
 'fit' padding. but mostly ride with just the helmet.
 VF> debilitating migraine is very good if I am cycling anything more than
 VF> an hour in heat, unless I drink wadloads of water, and drench my head
 VF> regularly....
Migraine I can't talk about, but if riding in heat does cause them for you,
I wouldn't ride in hot humid weather, but anyone should go lightly in those
conditions... as for general heat, well, since I did my 'helmet testing' in 
7
I've had poor heat regulation... so I get the effect around 20 degrees...
and always have a steady but not excessive fluid intake while riding.
I'm also not the type for short rides... on flat ground...
 VF> Part of this is due to the fact that I have to wear sunglasses in bright
 VF> light, and the stupid straps force the sides into my head.
I'd talk to my optician... since most cyclists wear eye gear at least 
ometime
if not most of the time, night and day... and few have this problem... you 
ee
some professional help selecting a suitable frame... or fitting it...  I've
seldom seen an uncurable problem in that regard... lots of poor 
itting/fitted
drugstore sunglasses, and good ones that were bought a sports outfitters that
were never fitted, but not unfittable...  you might also look and make sure
that you buy quality lenses... not the highly distorted 'el cheapo' type..
As for the straps, they should not get in the way if the helmet fits...
 VF> of course, I wear the straps loose, but then
 VF> the (*&#*#& helmet wobbles around causing even more problems. So its
 VF> either wobble, and be a safety hazard while baking - or not wobble,
 VF> get a migraine, and be a safety hazard while baking.
Again, helmets are now so light and ventilated, I suspect you have an OLD,OLD
version... probably also an 'el cheapo' type... almost all bad fit or hard to
fit problems arise from those type... also heavier and poorly designed as 
ell
trying to make up for good design with 'more material'.
 VF> Its hard to concentrate when you're sweating like hell at 30 Celcius,
 VF> you have sweat running in your face and eyes.... and one is thus more
 VF> likely to have an accident because of a mental goofup.
Again... hot conditions, especially in traffic, call for going lightly...
in fact more so than you hint at, since the guys in the cars are also likely
hotter and even more mentally goofy than you are... more so if they don't 
ave
'AIR'.
 VF> Next, I expect our government to outlaw walking, because pedestrians
 VF> are getting hit by vehicles breaking the law and failing to yield.
 VF> Sorry, cars should be banned before helmets mandated. Without cars, the
 VF> incidence of cycling injuries would plummet.
Got some points for those first two... but only the incidence of injuries due
to interaction with cars would diminish... the rest would likely increase due
to greatly increased numbers of cyclists, and even more pedalestrians trying
to be like cyclists... except for the being safe, skilled and prudent part...
 
... THE finger:  Original form of 'digital' communications...
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
--- Renegade v5-11 Exp
---------------