I love biking, especially in this season. Wind through your hair, navigating the traffic flux, and kicking the hell out of those pedals. Your carbon footprint takes a serious hit, too.

However, there’s one aspect that is tough to live with: the look. I’m not a fashionista by anyone’s description, but there’s no denying that the whole biking kit makes you look, well, retarded.

Especially the helmet. In Cryptonomicon Neal Stephenson describes (amongst many,many other things) the ARG: military issue glasses, also known as Anti-Rape Glasses. Glasses that are sure to repell any female interest. Well, biking means wearing the ARH (Anti-Rape Helmet). I defy Angelina Jolie to get a second look when wearing the ARH (wearing normal clothes. wearing full-body spandex would be cheating).

Well, there’s no other option. Biking in Brussels has its hasards. Having a specialist in neurological damage for a dad makes you very aware of the consequences of trauma to the head (mantra: better to look braindamaged than to be). So I wear the ARH. And the fluo jacket. And my bike impersonates a christmas tree, all year round.

(and today i impersonated a wet dog, but that’s another story. who bust a pipe up there ?)