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Seems Gordon Ramsey has come off his bike. Doesn't say if he fell off or was hit by something but says his helmet saved him. He has one hell of a bruise on his body in the clip. Wear your helmet folks
https://news.sky.com/story/gordon-ramsay-lucky-to-be-alive-after-bike-accident-13153706
Do you think James Martin ran him off the road?
"Ramsay became a father for the sixth time in November when his wife Tana gave birth to their son Jesse James Ramsay aged 49."
Pretty old for a baby.
He's done a few ironmans, so is certainly capable of riding a bike.
The way I read the article, I'd assumed it involved a vehicle. But not 100% certain.
I'm certainly no fan of what we see of him on TV, but a friend spent a half day to a day around him a couple of years back, at a swim event (relates to triathlon) and said he was very pleasant, he engaged and was great with the kids that were there, and all round nice. No pretences or aloofness. (Did say a couple of other 'celebs' / notable sports people there were dicks!)
I think most people after a big 'off' where the helmet takes a big hit are of the same view - they are (can be) cheap enough and it's pretty stupid not to use one really.
He’s done a few ironmans so is certainly capable of riding a bike.
Have you seen triathletes/TTer ride? Riding and controlling are very different things
Argh, not the "I survived a crash therefore everyone MUST wear a helmet" thing again, **** off.
Have you seen triathletes/TTer ride? Riding and controlling are very different things
Yeah, and most of them are pretty good. Still, the mid-pack pro-wannabees trying to get on the bike barefoot with their shoes already clipped in and not fall off does make for amusing viewing.
Argh, not the “I survived a crash therefore everyone MUST wear a helmet” thing again, **** off.
There's no decent reason for not wearing a helmet if you are cycling, especially on road or for us, off road, and i think on here, it should be an easy sell for anyone who has any care for their wellbeing.
He hasn't made it law, he's expressed an opinion. Calm down dears.
And I think that once you’ve woken up to find your helmet pieces it kinda overwhelmingly informs your opinion - it did me anyway.
"Have you seen triathletes/TTer ride? Riding and controlling are very different things"
So very true. Despite being fat and slow, and certainly one of the slower decenders in my mountain biking circle, I'm often passing people on tri on down hill sections or where there's a hint of gravel or dirt - even when I'm taking zero risk.
My point really was that at least he's not some total noobie to riding a bike, and has raced in the winds of Kona.
"There’s no decent reason for not wearing a helmet if you are cycling"
Leaving aside racing and off road MTB cycling is safe. No head injuries in over half a century of cycling here.
I don't wear a helmet for any other safe activities I do.
Although his “always wear a helmet” comments can **** off.
Yup,TJ has already sent him a strongly worded letter 🙃🙃😁
"nO hElMeTs iN hOlLaNd"
Got two mates that have come off on the road and don't remember what happened - no helmets. I've come off and remembered all the gory details (with a lid on) - massive crash broken spine. I'll still wear one as gravel rash isn't fun on yer bonce.
Came off on the commute a few weeks ago, bike just slid out. Given the amount of mud I picked out of the lid air vents, it saved me some messy hair to wash.
Whilst I don’t really agree with the pro-helmet evangelists, he’s taken a big chunk out of it. It’s not hard to imagine that could have been nasty without a helmet on.
So very true. Despite being fat and slow, and certainly one of the slower decenders in my mountain biking circle, I’m often passing people on tri on down hill sections or where there’s a hint of gravel or dirt – even when I’m taking zero risk.
Yeah, but you're only overtaking the crap ones. If you're a shit swimmer (and I am) you'll be overtaking riders, and if you're good at running (and, relatively, I am) you'll be overtaking runners. It's amusing and an easy win to claim all triathletes are shit on a bike, but it's rubbish.
That's hell of a big bruise on his left ribs, I suspect many would take a sick day or two after that!
Nothing quite like having a doctor say " you don't remember me do you?" "Nope" " The results of your cat scan and x-ray are fine, do you remember having them" "nope" to make me wear a helmet every ride.
That was with a full dh carbon job on.
I think my shock damping went and spat me off, I've got no memory of half a day.
This was in a blue run I'd done 3 times a day as a warm up for a week.
I was very very glad to have to bin that helmet from that days ride.
I can't imagine how hard Ramsey must have hit something to get that bruise!
Specialized Prevail II - that’s a huge hit to the back of the helmet…over the bars?
I split a Prevail in a 30kph crash on an icy/wet road. Hit the front, right with enough force to flatten two structural bits and crack it on the leading edge. But for 10-15mm of foam, that would’ve been my head on the road.
I'm no helmet evangelist but this is mine after a sudden stop courtesy of a Volvo/tarmac/bicycle interface. Broke my neck too so it did smart a bit.
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Apparently he also said that Linux was better than Windows
You're missing the latter part of this quote which goes:
but since System D it's gone downhill.
No head injuries in over half a century of cycling here.
the ones with traumatic brain injuries find it hard to type… 😉
There’s no decent reason for not wearing a helmet if you are cycling
Agreed.
While we're at it, there's no decent reason for not wearing a helmet while you are driving, walking, drinking alcohol, going up or down stairs, being old, etc.
Wearing a helmet while showering might be taking things a bit far. Maybe take it off for washing your hair but put it back on straight away.
Wearing a helmet while showering might be taking things a bit far.
Definitely a full facer in the shower - club mate passed out in the shower* and hit his chin on the side of the bath on the way down.
*Concussion from sliding off on his commute
Definitely a full facer in the shower
You keep your specialist websites to yourself.
There’s not a lot of nuance in the helmet/ no helmet discussion.
I’ve been saved from head injury several times because I was wearing a helmet and was hit by a car / truck / tree.
You’d be foolish not to wear one in a high danger situation like mountain biking on an actual mountain or riding on any road with car drivers.
I don’t wear one when I’m bimbling around fire roads listening to podcasts though. Low danger. I suspect the anti helmet brigade would have also railed against compulsory seat belts in the 70s.
or riding on any road with car drivers.
Or walking on a road with car drivers. Or driving on a road with car drivers. Basically any time you find yourself near a car driver you should be wearing a helmet.
I suspect the anti helmet brigade would have also railed against compulsory seat belts in the 70s.
Not really.
Those of us in the 'anti-helmet brigade*' generally like to look at things like data. Helmet use doesn't really show a statistically significant overall reduction in harm (once you take everything into account which is actually quite tricky).
Seatbelts don't really have the same amount of noise in the data. People don't drive less because they are forced to wear a seatbelt and other drivers show no signs of taking more risks around other drivers they see as being strapped in.
Helmet compulsion definitely reduces the number of people riding bikes. Helmet promotion may even reduce the number of people riding bikes (some data but not conclusive). No matter which statistics you use, society is better off if more people are riding bikes.
The 'pro-helmet brigade' are like religious fundamentalists. They have their magic polystyrene talisman of protection and insist that everyone else subscribe to their beliefs.
*soon to be designated a terrorist group.
…riding on any road with car drivers.
I don’t wear one when I’m bimbling around fire roads listening to podcasts though.
I ride perfectly happily on the busy SW London & Surrey roads without one it’s fine, I also manage just fine out on my cx bikes - because both are, to me, low risk. Your life , your choice seems like quite a reasonable perspective on helmet use.
I suspect the anti helmet brigade would have also railed against compulsory seat belts in the 70s.
The anti-helmet brigade - I didn’t realise it was an organised movement. It’s strange that those brigading and forcing their narrative, and anecdotes masquerading as statistical certainty seem to be those in favour of helmet compulsion.
Should helmets be compulsory, no.
Is it sensible to wear one, yes.
Should helmets be compulsory, no.
Is it sensible to wear one, yes.
The problem is that if you continually say the second sentence with no context or nuance then the case for the first sentence gets stronger and stronger.
Interesting injury - mahoosive bruise and supposedly his helmet was in play. But no sign of any abrasions to hands, arms, face or body.
@BruceWee / @kilo no-one is saying they should be compulsory or that it's anything other than personal choice. Also, no cyclist should be condemned if they're in an accident, are injured and are not wearing a helmet. That's a real slippery slope. FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one because it was too hot, but then the politeness of the car drivers when I was on a road did give me some, probably misplaced, reassurance.
The vehemence with which you reject them makes me wonder why when they seem such an obvious, easy, cheap choice for cycling on the road. The other examples, pedestrians etc. are stupid.
Would you make your child wear one, cycling on the road?
The other examples, pedestrians etc. are stupid
Why?
Head injuries happen to both car drivers and pedestrians at a similar rate to cyclists (depending on how you measure it). Why is it stupid that they should wear helmets?
The vehemence with which you reject them makes me wonder why when they seem such an obvious, easy, cheap choice for cycling on the road
I believe I said if you want to wear one fine and if you don’t fine - hardly vehement. In fact I said;
Your life , your choice seems like quite a reasonable perspective on helmet use.
What is vehement is the constant carping on, “ I smashed my helmet, so you’re being crazy not too wear one” “I’m sensible you’re not” repeat ad nauseam.
I don’t wear one on the road, unless racing, because for me, with my risk assessment, they aren’t required, in the same way I don’t wear a full face or spine protector on the mtb.
I think you’ll find not bothering with one is also far easier and cheaper 😉
Would you make your child wear one, cycling on the road?
I don’t have a child and am not questioning what other people impose on their kids . Mind you when I was a child no one wore them.
Would you make your child wear one, cycling on the road?
I don't but my girlfriend does, mostly to avoid the horrified judgmental looks from other parents.
Personally I love seeing the kids riding to school (on the wrong side of the road) with their helmets perched at a jaunty angle on their heads, their bikes with canvas showing through on the tyres, questionable brakes, and notchy headsets.
For me, I think the most important thing is that a child has a bike that is safe and well maintained and understands how to ride safely. I understand that the rest of society considers a helmet the beginning and the end of the conversation on children's bicycle safety but I'm just going to have to disagree with the majority on this one.
I understand that the rest of society considers a helmet the beginning and the end of the conversation on children’s bicycle safety
That really isn’t true: you’ve just made up that ridiculous “fact”.
Personally I love seeing the kids riding to school (on the wrong side of the road) with their helmets perched at a jaunty angle on their heads, their bikes with canvas showing through on the tyres, questionable brakes, and notchy headsets.
You could do (And in fact, you may.), offer your capabilities to fix child’s bikes and help them with helmet fitting. I was happily known at my children’s primary school as the ‘bike riding, bike fixing’ dad.
That really isn’t true: you’ve just made up that ridiculous “fact”.
It is true that it's an anecdote like much of the rest of the 'information' on this thread.
But if you really want to test the theory, buy your kid a clapped out borderline dangerous bike and go for a ride with a helmet. Then do the same thing on their well-maintained bike but without a helmet.
Count the number of dirty looks/comments you get in both modes.
Interesting injury – mahoosive bruise and supposedly his helmet was in play. But no sign of any abrasions to hands, arms, face or body.
I noticed this. That bruise is quite square and looks a lot like it could be an impact from a typical large American pickup bumper. It's about the right height too.How that would unfold into the rest of the injuries I don't know. We may never know what happened.
You could do (And in fact, you may.), offer your capabilities to fix child’s bikes and help them with helmet fitting. I was happily known at my children’s primary school as the ‘bike riding, bike fixing’ dad.
Not all heroes wear capes.
But they all seem to like to tell you about your shortcomings when compared to their awesomeness.
with their helmets perched at a jaunty angle on their heads
I see this a lot, and it highlights some of the misunderstandings (or rather, lack of informed awareness, I suppose) about helmet use as I understand this is actually more dangerous (in a crash where the head gets hit...) than not not wearing one at all, as it's much more likely to catch on things or get knocked at a funny angle and twist the head, resulting in a nasty neck injury, than it is to protect the skull.
But they all seem to like to tell you about your shortcomings when compared to their awesomeness.
I don’t know you or any potential shortcomings. Hence, why I used:
And in fact, you may.
Because, I don’t know…
Came here to wish sweary Ramsey well (cos we all know he's reading).. crashed head first into another dull helmet wearing debate.
Make your own choices folks and anything else can.. in the words of an early poster " **** off."
Hope he heals well. I thought bruises that extensive might be the result of anticoagulation therapy! My crushed (not smashed) helmet hangs above my TV in the garage. Zwift is the only place I don't wear a helmet, but I don't preach. It served its purpose and you'd be hard pressed to spot the damage. That's what helmets are supposed to do.
There’s no decent reason for not wearing a helmet if you are cycling, especially on road or for us, off road, and i think on here, it should be an easy sell for anyone who has any care for their wellbeing.
I make my own risk assessments and if I'm doing the sort of riding where if it goes wrong bruising like he's got is likely whether on road or off then a helmet seems like a sensible precaution. If I'm bimbling along the canal tow path for 1.5 miles to the shop I'm not so sure. In fact its one more thing to do, to store when I get to the shop at the other end, to put away when I get back... so it might be simpler just to take the car like everyone else does. IMHO a decent reason for not wearing a helmet, is that the inconvenience of wearing one means I probably won't bother taking the bike. I'd further argue that the normalisation of helmet wearing is a real issue with the uptake of bikes as methods of active travel, and by extreme extrapolation since there is "safety in numbers" potentially harms the wider cycling community!
FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one
Did you get a fine?
Children are more vulnerable to head injuries than adults. They are also much less risk averse. Therefore the risk/benefit for them to wear helmets is different.
It is also true that making helmets compulsory seems to put some people off activities, therefore it is overall detrimental to public health to do so.
I wear a helmet almost always when cycling, I would encourage others, especially children, to do the same. I refrain from judging others who don’t, especially when they’re just pootling along.
ransosFree Member
FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one
Did you get a fine?
I did not, and I passed a lot of cops!
Children are more vulnerable to head injuries than adults. They are also much less risk averse. Therefore the risk/benefit for them to wear helmets is different.
I’ve a vague memory of an article way back in the BMJ about the trade off in children of reduced head trauma but increased neck trauma from helmet-wearing. 🤷🏻♂️
Will a helmet save you from being crushed to death by a car/bus/truck ?.
bimbling along the canal tow path for 1.5 miles to the shop I’m not so sure. In fact its one more thing to do, to store when I get to the shop at the other end, to put away when I get back… so it might be simpler just to take the car like everyone else does. IMHO a decent reason for not wearing a helmet, is that the inconvenience of wearing one means I probably won’t bother taking the bike
Sorry, but I'm not buying that. There are loads of ways you can deal with a helmet while you are shopping:
Hang it over the handlebars
Attach it to the bike using the lock you are already using to secure the bike
Stick it in your panniers.
Keep wearing it.
Put it in the trolley
'Wear' it over your elbow etc etc.
Let's face it, people who don't ride bikes come up with dozens of (more significant) reasons why cycling is 'too inconvenient' & how they have to use a car. By all means don't wear a helmet if you don't want to, but I'm afraid the idea that helmets are so incovenient that they put you off cycling is just bullshit. It's just an excuse to not wear one. If you wanted to wear one, I'm sure you'd find a way without too much difficulty.
Count the number of dirty looks/comments you get in both modes.
In my exhaustive research into this topic, it's 0 either way. People barely care about their own kids let alone other people's...
Is this another perceived persecution?
Will a helmet save you from being crushed to death by a car/bus/truck ?
Of course not. But if that’s your level of reasoning then the argument you are making must be absolutely feeble.
If you have a real point to make, then please spell it out,
Is this another perceived persecution?
I think the 'pro-helmet brigade' have gotten a wee bit triggered given that we seem to be drifting towards insults and petulance so I think I'll leave you guys alone to worship your half inch polystyrene idol.
@prettygreenparrot AFAIK the trade off is the same across a lot of sports where it is advisable to wear a helmet, and across most, if not all, sections of the population.
Bottom line is it’s a complicated subject.
But suggesting that people should wear a helmet isn’t the same as saying that they must wear a helmet.
Sorry, but I’m not buying that. There are loads of ways you can deal with a helmet while you are shopping:
there are - they all involve marginally more degree of inconvenience than not bothering for the very low risk of my 10 mph canal tow path bimble. The all involve more inconvenience than my drive to the shops.
Let’s face it, people who don’t ride bikes come up with dozens of (more significant) reasons why cycling is ‘too inconvenient’ & how they have to use a car. By all means don’t wear a helmet if you don’t want to, but I’m afraid the idea that helmets are so incovenient that they put you off cycling is just bullshit.
Its not bullshit, and failing to listen to the reasons why people feel cycling is not as convenient for those sort of trips as it should be is why active travel is not successful in this country. It doesn't really matter if its a real inconvenience, if I perceive it as an inconvenience then it is. And by the way my daughter doesn't ride her bike to school (along exactly the same route) because "it would not be cool", that is also a perfectly legitimate reason. The helmet, helmet storage and helmet expectation is probably part of what makes it not cool. There's another person we've lost from the potential cycle as travel tool.
It’s just an excuse to not wear one. If you wanted to wear one, I’m sure you’d find a way without too much difficulty.
I don't need an "excuse" to not wear a helmet. Of course if I wanted to wear a helmet I'd find a way. My point is, that for some types of riding the actual benefit is so low that there is probably no point on finding a way - they difference to my life expectancy is probably better riding that journey without a helmet than taking the car. If its raining it doesn't actually keep me dry. If its hot it gets too hot. If its cold its got vents. I don't know anyone who's fallen off on the canal and hurt their head - I know two people who have ended up in the canal... but nobody wears a lifejacket!
Count the number of dirty looks/comments you get in both modes.
In my exhaustive research into this topic, it’s 0 either way. People barely care about their own kids let alone other people’s…
I take it you never travel by Taxi? if you want to hear what a subsection of the public think - travel by taxi, you get a running commentary. "Bloody cyclists". "Look at that not even wearing a helmet". "Its one thing not wearing a helmet yourself but imagine letting your kids go out without one on". If you are really lucky you can complete the bingo card with "look at the state of her - its no wonder obesity is an issue in this country nobody walks anywhere any more" and "when I was his age I used to get on my bike and go off into the countryside for the day but young people are just obsessed with their phones now". Now I'm not saying taxi drivers are a fair cross section of society but they are not unique. If you go and collect kids from school gates there's plenty of judging going on too.
I got quite vocally criticised to my face for collecting my children from a bike club without wearing a helmet myself - my route would not involve riding on roads to get home! But they never once criticised the people who drove to pick the kids up!
It doesn’t really matter if its a real inconvenience, if I perceive it as an inconvenience then it is.
Sorry, but I rather think you are making my point for me. If you choose to perceive a helmet as an insurmountable inconvenience then that’s your lookout. The fact is you are adopting a position to suit yourself. If it’s not a real inconvenience then it’s not an inconvenience whatever your own personal truth appears to be.
I take it you never travel by Taxi? if you want to hear what a subsection of the public think – travel by taxi, you get a running commentary.
I think you and I live in very different parts of the country...
Yikes. Hope you’re feeling better
Thanks. A few years ago and mostly back to normal now - apart from typing this with a stick...
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Not really. Just neurological issues left, nothing significant physically 🙂
Of course Gordy should have worn a full body helmet and he might have avoided a Derek/Starfishesque magnificent bruise. 🙃
FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one
Did you get a fine?
We just did the Ruta Via de la Plata on the tandem, me mostly sans helmet as I'm a very sweaty Betty. No fines, no hard looks from the Fascista or owt. Aaaaand I didn't spontaneously combust. Whoda thunk it...? I dint fall off to test the hypothesis tho...
I'd just like to say that I don't GAF if you do or don't wear a helmet. It's a really ****ing boring argument though.
Now, flats or SPD's??...
bobloFree Member
FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one
Did you get a fine?
We just did the Ruta Via de la Plata on the tandem, me mostly sans helmet as I’m a very sweaty Betty. No fines, no hard looks from the Fascista or owt. Aaaaand I didn’t spontaneously combust. Whoda thunk it…? I dint fall off to test the hypothesis tho…
I did the Ruta Via de la Plata too! Fantastic route, much tougher on a tandem than an MTB I imagine.
I started in Faro then added on the Picos de Europa at the end, just for maximum suffering.
Would be interesting to know if those who don't wear helmets (at times) would be ok with someone choosing not to help them if they had an off and hurt their head.
I've had people turn up for an MTB ride and I've told them to go away on their own because they chose not to wear a helmet, and I'm not going to come to their aid if their own choice resulted in an accident that needed my help
Would be interesting to know if those who don’t wear helmets (at times) would be ok with someone choosing not to help them if they had an off and hurt their head.
Follow that logic to it’s conclusion and people may choose to refuse to help you because you took an unnecessary risk by mountain biking in the first place?
Would be interesting to know if those who don’t wear helmets (at times) would be ok with someone choosing not to help them if they had an off and hurt their head.
Fine with me, you crack on as you see fit.
Wearing a helmet could potentially save else having to scrape your head/face off the tarmac, they're not that much of a hindrance. My other half did ten years as an a & e nurse and she goes savage on people not wearing a helmet whilst cycling, she got fed up of patching people up where the helmet would have saved a lot of damage.
I don't know the stats and ins and outs of it, if someone cares to explain the non helmet wearing thing I'm happy to listen