WHEN BICYCLE HELMETS MAKE NO SENSE

 

 

 

 

In the late afternoon we arrived at the Cliffs of Moher, my main excuse to visit Ireland. The 600-foot-tall cliffs are entirely vertical and very abrupt. My dream was to ride along the curvy ledge, which ranges from six feet to six inches. But when we arrived, the weather was deteriorating and herds of tourists and security guards made another pub crawl a better choice. (Victor Lucas) // view gallery http://thoseresponsible.com/blog/screenshot.asp?gallery=23&foto=120             Risk in Adventure The art of marrying competency and risk in order to create a peak experience. Psychological Risk in Adventure Nearly Roadkill: An Infobahn Erotic Adventure (High Risk): why people adventure, the role of risk, This same scenario is repeated year after year, with death or debilitating injury coming to people skiing/boarding, canyoneering, rock climbing and participating in other adventure sports.Today is one of those days when I reflect and ask, "Is it worth the risk?" There is no easy answer to that question. Skiing out of bounds where there is extreme avalanche danger is certainly not worth the risk. But there are plenty of opportunities to participate in adventure sports that carry minimal risk. With proper training, proper equipment and common sense, almost every hazard can be avoided.Yes, I did say "almost every." Adventure carries risk. On rare occasions accidents are unavoidable. So, again, I ask myself, "Is it worth the risk?" I think it is. I believe adventurous activities, keep within reasonable bounds, offer tremendous payoffs. And I’m talking about benefits more tangible than the thrill that comes with the adrenalin rush. Sociological studies, and my personal experiences, suggest adventurous activities help kids develop confidence and self-esteem. Kids that fish and hike and ski and camp are less likely to get into legal trouble. Participating with family members can strengthen family bonds. The activities often become serious hobbies that provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Many humans, myself included, seem to have an inborn craving for adventure. Inorder to survive, most of us learn to temper this appetite by using common sense. We discover we can have tremendous adventure rushes while minimizing risk. By Dave Webb

Our mission—“we” including current downhill world champion Steve Peat and Irish photographer Victor Lucas—was to hit some of Ireland's best biking spots and most famous pubs. We’d been at it for six days, crammed together in a camper with six bikes, including my two GTs and Peaty’s Santa Cruz downhill and freeride steeds. The good news? We were winning. We’d hit seven pubs already including the Guiness Brewery—yes, of course it tastes better there—and Sean’s Pub, Ireland’s oldest, dating from the 17th century. The bad? I didn’t want to see another pub for another month, or at least a few hours.

 

The accompanying gallery chronicles our trip.

—Hans Rey

Hans Rey is the former mountain biking trials world champion. He currently travels the world as a sort of fat tire ambassador.