Listers, Peter,
I'm sitting here reading Classics Rendevouz all day because I just cracked my Femur. Can't move.
Peter, i hear what you're saying, and I know that the Cannibal didn't wear helmets, Coppi didn't, Reg McNamara didn't. I know.
HOWEVER, Three years ago I spent three days in Intensive Care after my OT clipless pedal failed. I wasn't wearing a helmet. I wouldn't have been in intensive care if I was. The stupidest, and I really mean that, thing was that my helmet sat at home that day, and when I got out of the hospital I saw it as I painfully hobbled into my house. I am man enough to admit that seeing it sitting there made me cry. I mean it. Really.
I was generally OK, but I had two skull fractures and I had fractured a part of my vertebrae. These things happen. Especially if you ride hard and especially if you idolize and try to emulate the greats whenever you ride. As you said, in the past riders were hard men, but they did all kinds of stupid things when they rode. Amphetamines, no helmets, etc. etc.No need to emulate that behavior.
Safety is paramount. What the point of having beautiful bikes if you're in a casket? I know you probably don't care what i think and you'r not going to take advice from a 32 year old upstart like myself, but if there is no greater tragdy than one that could have been averted.
Safely, and bored outta my gourd,
Harry Schwartzman
Long Island City, NY