21 July 2015

How to put on a helmet by Peter Sagan

He lights up the peloton with speed and style

He is Peter Sagan, the legend. You think he can race a bike, wait until you see the style in which he puts on a bike helmet.

Peter Sagan helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
The one and only Peter Sagan. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
Today we learn from Peter on how to put on a bike helmet.  
All photos by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

1. First make sure all your hair will fit under the helmet. That's a lot of hair!

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

 2. Begin to work on that unruly mane of hair. View helmet to make sure it will all fit.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

 3. Spend time to make sure your hair is just right before placing the helmet on your head.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

4. Verify with others that hair is looking great.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

5. Blush at compliment.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

6.  Place helmet carefully upon cherished head.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

7. Adjust helmet to fit modest ego atop incredible talent. Wear forward for optimal aerodynamics.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

8. With glasses still in mouth, place helmet straps around ears that hear only praise and cheers.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

9. Take care to place straps over perfectly trimmed facial hair.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

10. Securely clip helmet, as Peter has done over 5,000 times.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

11. And pow, that is how it is done folks. Thanks for coming to this demonstration.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

12. Oops, quality check for that loose curl.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

13. Don't leave yet folks, it gets better, he has not put on his glasses yet.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

14. Glasses - the pièce de résistance!

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

15. Next, make sure helmet and glasses will not fall off your head by checking if tires are round. 

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
16. You are ready to roll to the start line past iphone photogs and swooning podium girls.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

17. Always get a last minute equipment check from a respected pro. Mark Cavendish is usually handy.

Peter Sagan Mark Cavendish Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

18. Time to look cool at the start line. Best to intimidate others by having a helmet that perfectly matches the team kit (National Champion team kit is recommended). Tip: neon colors are preferred.

Peter Sagan Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

19. Immediately after a stage, while international cameras are 4-feet away, it is recommended to keep helmet and glasses on.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

20. Unless you collapse in utter exhaustion, at which point try to remove glasses and helmet before passing out.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

21. Helmet is not needed during times writhing with pain and agony after the stage.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

22. Or when dry heaving after a really tough climb.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

23. Helmets are super cool for time trials. Although you must make this face if wearing an TT helmet.

Peter Sagan Time Trial Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

24. This is how it is done!

Peter Sagan Time Trial Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

25. Speed and style, by Peter Sagan.

Peter Sagan Time Trial Pedal legs Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

These photos were taken in May in California. You can imagine how much fun it was to be there, at the Tour of California, to see Peter race (and win yellow!). If you see his name on a roster for any race - go! You know he looks amazing on TV, in person he is AWESOME.

Lesson #2 on how to put on a cycling helmet by Glocal Cycling Network

GCN tells us how to truly fit a bicycle helmet in this video:  
How To Fit & Adjust A Cycle Helmet



Who wore it better?

Peter Sagan?
Peter Sagan Pedal Dancer Photography
Add caption
Or Simon Richardson of GCN?
Simon Richardson GCN Pedal Dancer Photography