Regular visitors will know that I'm steadily building up to take on some of the burlier trails on Tenerife in 2011. So it was with great delight and some relief following a couple of weeks of faffing from good old DHL, that my new lid arrived.

I was a little worried about ordering a helmet over the internet, after all, you can't try it on before it arrives and being where we are, it's not easy to send things back if you get it wrong.

Happily, the helmet fits perfectly and feels nice and snug. I'm really shocked how light it feels, it doesn't even feel that much heavier than my XC lid, but it must be around twice the weight even if it doesn't feel it.

I'll report back on it's venting performance after a couple of rides, but first impressions are good. Next to arrive should be a 661 pressure suit to provide the body with some protection. I'm going to end up looking like a storm trooper!