My first adult bike helmet (maybe my first ever – I don’t recall wearing one as a kid) was gray. So was my second. The third would have been too, but the shop only had the Giro Feature in red, and the sales staff persuaded me.

As it turned out, I loved my newly red head. It looked great with the black Brompton and black/blue mini O bag, and reminded me of the kind of rider I want to be: bold, adventurous and fearless. It made me easy to spot, too.

Helmets don’t last forever, especially when you fall and land on your head. New season, new helmet! I decided to stick with the Feature – I appreciate its coverage and comfort – and tried a few local shops before I found one in my color at Danny’s Cycles  in Chelsea. (Red helmet #1 came from their Canal St. location.)

This year’s model is a cool matte red, with an orange visor and camo straps.

Sunday was cold but sunny, a good day for running errands. After picking up the helmet, I rode up 6th Ave. The bike lane is less crowded and in better repair than 8th Ave., but ends around Times Square.

Central Park is still brown.

And the lake behind Bethesda Fountain is still icy.

Spring blooms are popping up at the farmer’s market!

I bought some beautiful micro greens (pea shoots and radish sprouts), a head of garlic and a bag of Amish pretzels (Mr. Unfolded’s favorite snack).

An odd, charming encounter: While I was waiting for a light to change, an old man with white hair and twinkly blue eyes shuffled up to me and smiled. He leaned down to pinch Monty’s front tire, gave me a thumbs up and shuffled off.

Maybe it was my red helmet?