Helmet induced brain freeze ?

[blankster]

Hi,

 

Recently got back into cycling (MTB) again after a few years. I cycle every morning/afternoon and one thing that's nailing me in the mornings is that when I wear my helmet and the air is just slightly crispy cool (by Pretoria Summer standards) it feels like I'm getting an icicle  shoved through the back of my cranium (up left from the medula) within the first kilometer of my ride.  I don't get this when I go without the helmet or when I'm wearing a thermal beanie underneath or when I ride in the hot afternoon. Health-wise, I'm overweight, but I don't have BP, Cholesterol or blood sugar problems.

 

The old helmet I'm using is the hard shelled polystyrene cheapie XPRESS type with like 5 vents (3 front , 2 at the back) shaped almost like this one (ignore the "WRONG"):

http://sfist.com/attachments/SFist_Brock/98062w.jpg

The helmet size is 60 and it just fits with almost no wiggle. Too small maybe?

 

Opinions? Anybody else experience these type of headaches? Time for upgrade (most probably, but want to get other inputs first )? Any recommendations?

 

All inputs will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hermanus Cycles]

Try a wig,sounds like you are       too"BLESS"

 

[blankster]

 

Nope, I know I'm a fossil at 36, but still got all my hair and most of my teeth  

blankster2009-12-09 02:31:18

[Woofie]

I have been wearing something over my head under my helmet for more than a year now.

In the beginning it was to stop the sweat running into my eyes and to stop my scalp from getting burnt (I am starting to thin out a bit)

Started off using those sunflower bandena things from pick n pay, I still use them, but I discovered something else that works so awesomely.

At the argus expo this year I was bombarded by a girl selling these bandena things. - Oh yes, it is called a BUFF

It is basically a piece of cloth that has the sides sewn together (to form a tunnel if you look through it)

She impressed me so much with everything you can use this piece of cloth for,  that I bought one.

Best thing ever!

When I use it I even cover up my ears, which often get sore from the cold winter mornings, but all the way up to the 45 deg heat we had at the double century it allowed my head to breath and I still had my ears covered.

Covering your ears with a normal bennie makes it more difficult to hear properly and you get super hot, but this material is thin enough to not give problems.

 

My father in law has the same problem.

He gets headaches from the cold air while cycling. As soon as he covers his head it is fine.

 

 

 

 

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Must say that wearing a cranium cap makes a difference (buff / muff / beanie / whatever). Rain or shine I wear it, feel neked if I don't have it on.

[SeaBee]

The little hair I have left is shaved, so I count myself as an expert! Buffs are great for cold. I just pull the darn thing over my ears, fold it backwards and get the helmet on over it. Stuff all 1001 ways you can hold and fold it.

[428 others]

Also use a Buff, but cut mine in half, so that I have two now... But I cycle with it all the time, and I agree with Woofie, best thing ever! It's seemless, so the helmet does'nt squeeze a 'pipeline' into your forehead as with other beanies

[blankster]

 

 

It's seemless' date=' so the helmet does'nt squeeze a 'pipeline' into your forehead as with other beanies[/quote']

 

LOL...only because I been there. Thanks for all the inputs. So it's not a helmet thing, rather a specific temperature intolerance. I think a Buff is definitely on the cards. My beenie (meant for winter) is frying my brain by the end of a ride.

 

Regarding the Buffs/beenie and sizing. I presume you adjust the helmet accordingly, or do you keep it the same as without Buff and simply the "tap" the helmet in  place ( restricting airflow, resulting in things getting seriously hot under the helmet).

blankster2009-12-09 09:36:00

[Woofie]

The buffs are pretty thin, so you wont need to adjust your helmet much.

As the most the ratchet thing at the back will be one notch looser.

Its nothing like wearing a beanie where you have to compress your head to get your helmet on.