\”Don\’t let it go to your head\” is an admonition that most of us have heard at one time or another. In this case, we do need to let it go to our heads.

Head injury seems to be getting more and more attention these days, in all sports. We hear of pro football players who have permanent brain damage from repeated head trauma suffering during years on the playing field.

Cyclists, of course, must guard against head injury. I cringe when I see people pedaling along without a helmet. It seems to me that they\’re taking unnecessary risks. For that matter, what little bicycle riding I did as a kid was without a helmet. It\’s shocking, now.

How do you choose a helmet? First things first. Fit is the most important thing. Price, for most of us, is a close second. Color? A light/bright hue doesn\’t hurt. If you\’re like me, you\’ll put your headlight atop your helmet, and a red blinkie on the back of the helmet.

I remember one time I set out on the road bike. Half a block from home I realized that I\’d forgotten to put on my helmet. I\’m serious enough about wearing a helmet that I got off the bike and walked back home to get that headpiece. I wasn\’t about to ride without it!

And once, when I was using the tricycle, I managed to ride three miles before noticing that I didn\’t have my helmet on! I stopped, turned, and rode back home slowly and carefully. (This was when I was still using a handlebar-mounted light). It made me nervous to be riding without head protection!

So yes; let it go to your head.