Tour de France doctor Gerard Porte tends to Frank Schleck of Luxembourg
after he crashed on a cobblestone section during the third stage of the Tour
de France cycling race over 213 kilometers (132.4 miles) with start in Wanze,
Belgium and finish in Arenberg, France, Tuesday July 6, 2010.
(AP Photo/Joel Saget, POOL)
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View more photos at the Michigan Cyclist's Guide to the 2010 Tour de France
Numerous accidents and injuries have been televised during coverage of the Tour de France. While some of these accidents involved bad weather conditions or physical contact with the competition, some were solo accidents with no known cause.
Even the most experienced cyclist periodically crashes with no warning. One mountain biker was riding along a beginner trail at the Michigan Tech Trails in Houghton. She was gaining speed on the flat, smooth trail and suddenly flew over the handlebar. She had no idea why, but she said it felt like something grabbed the rear wheel.
Another mountain biker flew over his handlebar when a stick got caught in his wheel while he was riding at Churning Rapids in Hancock. The bike abruptly stopped throwing him over the handlebar. He broke his shoulder, but his head was okay.
There are many riders in Southeast Michigan who have been hit by cars on their commutes or recreational rides. They had injuries to mend, but they did not have to deal with the long process of recovering from a head injury.
Choosing a bicycle helmet
Price ranges for bicycle helmets vary greatly, but this has more to do with the fancy bells and whistles such as the amount of venting to facilitate air flow through the helmet. Choose a CPSC-certified helmet, which can be easy to find for as little as $10 at stores such as Walmart and Meijer. Local bike shops most often carry lighter, stylish helmets with more venting in the $35 to $90 range.
Mark Cavendish of Britain adjusts his helmet prior to the start of the fifth stage
of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.5 kilometers (116.5 miles) with
start in Epernay and finish in Montargis, eastern France, Thursday, July 8,
2010. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)
Many new riders wear their helmets incorrectly. The most common mistake is to wear the helmet with the front resting quite high on the head, above the forehead. The helmet should be level, both from front to back and from side to side. The front of the helmet should cover the forehead. Straps should be adjusted to keep the helmet snug on the head.
The Tour de France riders are more likely to crash at faster speeds than the rest of us, but they bleed just as easily. Some of the riders who have already gone home from this year's Tour could have had more serious trauma than broken bones. They understand the importance of helmets, and they wear them every time they ride.
More info:
How to Choose and Care for a Bicycle Helmet: Bike Helmet Selection, Sizing, and Use
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