Tuesday, December 01, 2009

The Balaclava Story and other stories

You know, it's a shame that balaclavas are out of fashion these days. On a cold winter's morning, that's exactly the kind of thing I need to wear when I'm cycling to work. Maybe I'll buy one and to heck with fashion. Or get someone to knit me one - it will need to be in bright colours and patterns, so people don't think I'm a terrorist.

I do also need to buy a cycle helmet. People keep telling me to, and my only real excuse for not getting one is that I'm too lazy. Maybe I'll kill two birds with one stone and get a sort of super-strong balaclava that protects my head from all possible injury. I do need to keep my superhuman genius brain safe, after all...

6 comments:

Jimbo said...

I am a cyclist too but don't wear a helmet so before you rush out and buy a helmet you might want to check this out: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1052.html

Richard Keatinge said...

Helmet laws have stopped a lot of people cycling and have done nothing for head injury rates, see http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=16565131 (Robinson's work uses the best scientific methods, all available control groups and so on.) I hung mine up years ago. Your "People" may need a little gentle updating.

Zoomy said...

Gosh, I never realised so many people were pathologically opposed to cycle helmets. You'll forgive me if I'm sceptical about those 'best scientific methods', I'm sure...

Richard Keatinge said...

Scepticism is a good approach. Let us know what you think when you've read the literature, then.

Mike said...

I have a nice balaclava thing.
It is like a baseball cap but with a balaclava fused with it.

I got it from a sports shop near Wembley Park tube.. and near the McDonalds there.

As a fashion item, it's a battle....

Katie said...

If you're after a knitted balaclava, check out my cousin's online shop: http://www.wifeofbrian.com/