On driving to a friends place this morning there was the regular road race/time trials going on along the main road. 

I have never done any road racing so don't know what the rules are regarding the wearing of helmets.  However, a number of riders were not wearing any sort of head protection at all which surprised me.  The road is very busy with traffic and the course involves making some 180 degree turn backs via the use of roundabout. 

On all the organised MTB events I have ever done, even local sponsored rides around the park, the organisers have always insisted on the wearing of helmets as a condition of entry.

Now I am not one for rules and regulations in general but it did surprise me to see people in racing conditions not wearing a helmet.  Is it just me ?

There probably isn't enough traffic on a dual carriageway at 6am, to worry about.  If you are hit by a car at 60-70mph then your head is probably the last thing to worry about esp as helmets only offer protection up to 12mph.

Motorists on a dual carriageway are usually aware that there is an event on due to the high number of cyclists with reflective numbers and the signage and presence of marshalls.  To be honest I find cycling on "quiet" lanes more daunting sometimes, too many idiots trying to avoid the law cos it's quieter, uninsured drivers on the wrong side of the road..........

In 30 years I have had one car hit me in a time trial and 3 hit me on "so called" quiet roads, all of those resulted in the worst injuries.

At the end of the day it is people's choice and that is something the CTC vigorously supports, that and a whole host of other cyclists' rights.  If you want to see lots of discussions for and against helmets and whole host of other issues check out the ctc forum.