IN THE name of research, I joined the Joyriders (one of largest cycling clubs in Singapore) for their 5am group ride this morning. After all, there’s no better inspiration for writing a story than being at the scene itself and experiencing the moment. My colleague, photographer Weiliang, also came along to take snaps bright and early at 4.45am. Look out for the story in The Straits Times on Saturday.

Anyway, now that the scene is set, let me get to the story.

It looked like the aftermath of a storm when I got out of the house at 4.30am this morning to cycle to the meeting place at Longhouse at Upper Thomson Road. There was still a slight drizzle and the ground was all wet. I told myself to be careful of the slippery conditions, especially at Farrer Road — the seemingly everlasting construction site of the Circle Line — where uneven metal plates cover some parts of the leftmost lane. Just as soon as I cautioned myself I found myself landing on the ground with a big thud. I don’t exactly know what happened still (and it's been some four hours later) but I fell faster than you can say "TIMBER!".

The entire left side of my body hit the ground at the same time, like a huge oak tree falling. My head took the most impact. I know so because my helmet cracked in about five sections and all I got on my body was a small graze on the elbow and hip, and all my bike got was a little torn handlebar tape.
I picked myself up and went on with the job… and 40km ride. Funny thing is my head does not hurt one bit as bad as my helmet looks. In fact I feel pretty fine. Obviously so, since I managed to do the pretty fast ride.

My helmet saved my life.

This, in fact, is the third time a helmet has done so. My dad used to bug me to wear a helmet years ago and I didn’t quite like it because I found it a hindrance, but ever since my first big crash some years ago I’ve realised how important it is. Then, I was riding in a pack. I took my turn in front, stood up to power on the pedals, but the front of my bike dipped into a pothole on the ground. I did a heels-over-head somersault while still connected to my bicycle, landing on the top of my head and cracking my helmet in the process.

I see helmet-less riders out on the roads all the time, and I wish they knew what kind of danger they’re putting themselves in. Some people say they’re going too slow to need a helmet, but let me tell you I was going really slow when I fell this morning. Others say they're only cycling to the shop or MRT nearby, so it's too short a journey to wear a helmet. Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. So if you value your life, please, wear a helmet.

Maybe these pictures will persuade those helmet-less people to.

My head got away without a scratch.
SOURCE: Jeanette Wang

On a sidenote, that helmet was the Giro Atmos, a technologically advanced helmet (Lance Armstrong wore it for the Tour de France) that cost me over $200. Why the price? Because a cracked Giro Atmos helmet still sticks together as it has a skeleton holding the foam pieces in place. Other helmets without the same technology would probably just fall apart after such a crash. Coincidentally I had just ordered a new helmet last week, the Giro Ionos. I hope that didn’t jinx me.

Oh and another tip: helmets, like perishables, have a lifespan too. If your helmet is about two years old or was made two years ago (the inside of the helmet should indicate its manufacture date), it’s time to get a new one. Foam disintegrates over time. And please, don’t reuse a helmet that has already taken a fall, even if it’s not cracked. The impact-absorption properties could well be diminshed but not noticeable to the naked eye.

Leave the bashed helmet for just the tale-telling, like I do.