What do you do with your hair?

[uforgot]

I had my hair cut shorter than I've ever had it before a few months back. I have always had shoulder length or beyond, so it was easy. Put it in a ponytail. Now I can't. It's earlobe length, but the hair on the back of my neck is just long enough to be hot hot hot, but not long enough to pull up in a ponytail. Is there anything out there to keep me cool or to pull my hair up somewhat?

[colby]

Even though I have a ponytail, I wear a coolmax head cover dealie, and it makes a difference to my temperature regulation on my head, especially on hot days (and I notice on cool days it keeps the sweat moving and me from getting chilled). I don't think that would help with the hot hair against the back of your neck, though, unless you piled it in. Maybe you could wear a sweatband behind your hairline?

This is what I have, but I think with short hair it might not work as well:
http://www.rei.com/product/767966

Sweatband?:
http://www.rei.com/product/697118

[uforgot]

Even though I have a ponytail, I wear a coolmax head cover dealie, and it makes a difference to my temperature regulation on my head, especially on hot days (and I notice on cool days it keeps the sweat moving and me from getting chilled). I don't think that would help with the hot hair against the back of your neck, though, unless you piled it in. Maybe you could wear a sweatband behind your hairline?

This is what I have, but I think with short hair it might not work as well:
http://www.rei.com/product/767966

Sweatband?:
http://www.rei.com/product/697118

That sweatband may be the ticket. It has to have some grip and this one looks like it may. I can't wear those regular elastic headbands, they just pop right off of baby fine hair. Thanks. I'm going to look into those. It's not just for cycling, mowing the grass kills me too!

[Thorn]

Buff ( http://www.buffwear.com/ ) Should be lots of TE references (I learned about it here)

You should be able to find references on TE. The only disadvantage is that once you've got your hair in the buff, you'll be wearing the buff until you take a shower.

Still, I prefer my assorted buffs to helmet hair.

[zoom-zoom]

I have chin-length, babyfine hair. I LOVE my Buff. I also have worn Headsweats and Wickie Wear do-rags, but the Buff is hands-down my favorite. Keeps the sun off my forehead and scalp and the sweat our of my eyes. I wear it for running and under my helmet for biking.

[lph]

Yup, half a Buff is my summerwear under helmet. Keeps hair back and up (I have have long enough hair to make a tiny ponytail, but I tuck it into the back of my rolled up Buff to keep that horrendously expensive colour job out of the sun), and picks up sweat.

[colby]

Yup, half a Buff is my summerwear under helmet. Keeps hair back and up (I have have long enough hair to make a tiny ponytail, but I tuck it into the back of my rolled up Buff to keep that horrendously expensive colour job out of the sun), and picks up sweat.

Ah, a buff is a great idea, too, same concept as my cap except it goes all the way to your neck. I noticed my REI is selling them now, hooray!

[Blue_Fedora]

I have jaw-length, baby-fine, curly hair and love wearing a headsweats classic (http://www.headsweats.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=54&idproduct=10)under my helmet. For me, these lil cycling-skullies are a lifesaver since, for whatever reason, I'm easily distracted if any of my hair is flying around. The headsweats absolutely solves this problem and I don't have to worry about "helmet-hair" since I keep my headsweats on until I'm back home and heading into the shower :) Also keeps the perspiration under control. Love it, love it, love it!

[KnottedYet]

Like all of them said, except I use a bandana.

Folded into a triangle, rolled into a long band, and tied into a loop... works great in classic and hippie style headband mode. Folded into a triangle, tied on like a cap/pirate, and it keeps my scalp from burning under my baby-fine hair through my helmet vents and holds my chin-length hair off my neck. (pull it down to your shoulders then slide it UP, it pulls your hair up with it.) I like wearing it pirate-style on the bike, then classic headband style when I get off the bike. Always looks presentable.

$2.50 at REI. Gazillions of colors and patterns. Most are made in USA.

And you can blow your nose on them.

[Grog]

Sweatband, or Buff.

Or pigtails.

I love the pigtails. :)

[Grog]

And you can blow your nose on them.

Just don't put it on your head afterward! :eek:

Or why not......

[Selkie]

Buff. Great for all seasons, versatile, etc.

[Bike Chick]

Like all of them said, except I use a bandana.

Folded into a triangle, rolled into a long band, and tied into a loop... works great in classic and hippie style headband mode. Folded into a triangle, tied on like a cap/pirate, and it keeps my scalp from burning under my baby-fine hair through my helmet vents and holds my chin-length hair off my neck. (pull it down to your shoulders then slide it UP, it pulls your hair up with it.) I like wearing it pirate-style on the bike, then classic headband style when I get off the bike. Always looks presentable.

$2.50 at REI. Gazillions of colors and patterns. Most are made in USA.

And you can blow your nose on them.

I use a bandana too and usually carry two on a long ride---one for my hair and the other I tie to my stem. The one on my stem is all purpose and has been used to wipe sweat, clean up abrasions, tie around a bleeding leg and, of course, to blow my nose. I pick mine up at Wal Mart or the Dollar Store for $1 each.

[jobob]

I'll chime in on the praise for Buffs.

I too have hair that's too short for a ponytail, so I wear a buff cut in half as a large headband, it holds back my hair and covers a good part of it under my helmet. The material is very thin so it doesn't add any bulk under the helmet to speak of, and it doesn't make my head sweaty. My hair comes out after a ride looking reasonably OK, way better than helmet hair at least.

It won't fray when cut in half, which makes it a much better size to use as a headband.

Plus then you have two for when you inevitably misplace one. :rolleyes:


I still have the Amici Veloci buff that Floyd Landis signed back on his "Poor meee I'm innocent" speaking tour - it's in pristine condition. I'm thinking of cutting it up to make lots of headbands. :p

[uforgot]

One buff on it's way. Funny, I guess I was thinking they were for cold weather. I don't pay attention a lot of time. And the bandana? I totally forgot how I used to wear them in the 70s to keep cool, and they supposedly looked cool then too. :cool:

Thanks everyone.






I still have the Amici Veloci buff that Floyd Landis signed back on his "Poor meee I'm innocent" speaking tour - it's in pristine condition. I'm thinking of cutting it up to make lots of headbands. :p

Thanks for my laugh of the day.

[sandra]

Welcome to my world. I was just talking about how much my hair was bothering me this morning. I did pull all the top part (this is the part that bugs me the most!) back with a barrette (and it fit under the helmet) and the rest of it I pushed behind my ears.

After riding my cheek bones were burning from the heat and the sweat so hopefully a buff would help that too?

[uforgot]

Welcome to my world. I was just talking about how much my hair was bothering me this morning. I did pull all the top part (this is the part that bugs me the most!) back with a barrette (and it fit under the helmet) and the rest of it I pushed behind my ears.

After riding my cheek bones were burning from the heat and the sweat so hopefully a buff would help that too?

Are you back in the saddle again?

[sandra]

YES!!! FINALLY!!! :cool:

[sandra]

Oh and Claudia, how many bikes have you had since I've been gone? :D

[uforgot]

Oh and Claudia, how many bikes have you had since I've been gone? :D

I have a Trek 7.3fx wsd instead of the men's 7.2fx, but that's it. I slowed down a LOT. I'm even selling my mixte because I don't ride it.

Still have all of your mixtes? And is your husband riding too?

[marni]

or you could do whhat I did several years ago. I got my hair cut in a #4 buzz, not quite Marine short, but definitely a buzz. No problem with helmet hair or what to do with my hair after a ride.... pour a bottle of clean water over it or stick my head in a bucket and dry it and I'm good to go. I do use a strip of a buff for a head band though, just to keep the sweat out my eyes. Does anyone else sweat inside their ears. I swear I have shorted out so many ear buds that I should go into their manufacture. I love buffs in any size, shape or form though.

marni

marni

[sandra]

We are totally hijacking this thread...sorry... but why have you slowed down? And where's your Surly???

Yep, hubby is riding with me.

[Crankin]

I cut my hair, too. Not a buzz, but, a la Jaime Lee Curtis. Spiky on top. I just take some water from my bottle and pour it on my head, so I look presentable at a lunch stop.
I have horrible, frizzy, bendy, unmanageable hair. I dealt with it for years by getting it permed. Then I cut it short. Two years ago, I decided to grow it to a bob. After straightening and flat ironing, I decided it actually made me look older and I looked like a monster after any sweating.
I am so much happier back with the short.

[Bike Chick]

I cut my hair, too. Not a buzz, but, a la Jaime Lee Curtis. Spiky on top. I just take some water from my bottle and pour it on my head, so I look presentable at a lunch stop.
I have horrible, frizzy, bendy, unmanageable hair. I dealt with it for years by getting it permed. Then I cut it short. Two years ago, I decided to grow it to a bob. After straightening and flat ironing, I decided it actually made me look older and I looked like a monster after any sweating.
I am so much happier back with the short.

Same thing here, Crankin. I had it in a bob and it seemed the grayer it got, the wavier it got. The entire texture of my hair has changed. Instead of flat ironing and fighting the curls, I decided to make peace with them. I got a really cute, short cut in layers and just let the curls do their thing. I don't even have to dry it if I don't want to.

The other thing is that I sweat so much! At our rest stop yesterday, I looked at the rest of the women without their helmets and their hair was as dry as can be--mine looked like I had just stepped out of the shower. This was after 30 miles. Anyone else have this issue? How do you keep your hair dry?

[sandra]

Dry hair??? I can't imagine! You should have asked them. Sounds like they must have something wrong with their sweat glands if you asked me! :D

[blackhillsbiker]

I keep mine really short. It has always been wavy, but not in a good way. It is thick (also not in a good way), with a mind of its own. Now the gray hair is coming in curly and it pokes up in random corkscrews. I put gel on it before I ride, then when I get where I'm going, a bit of water and my fingers muss it up enough to look like I meant it that way. I grew it out into a bob about 8 years ago. I had to iron it straight and it was not flattering at all. Back to short for me!

Deb

[Zen]

My hair is crazy curly too.
I can't seem to find anyone who knows what to do with it/how to cut it.
Even if I did it would require continued cutting, something I can't always afford.
i'm just letting it grow and braiding it.

[Catrin]

I finally found someone who could cut my hair short and know what to do with the calics that I have - and I have quite a few! I've fine, wavy hair and for the first time in 50 years I have a short cut that I LIKE. I don't need more than my hands and a little gel to style it - and the helmet doesn't do too many bad things to it - at least not what a bottle of water can't solve.

We haven't had temps above 87 yet that I have cycled in, but I suspect that I don't yet drink enough. My hair and bike clothes get sweaty, but it doesn't run like it does when I work out with my trainer... I am sure that the wind from cycling does evaporate some of that, but I have expected to sweat more.

[Crankin]

Bike Chick, my head and hair are totally sweated up (that's not a word, according to my computer), always. It doesn't matter what the temperature is. Wearing a buff, cap, etc. doesn't really help at all. It might make my hair a bit drier, but I really only wear a head cover for warmth in the cold.
I have seen those women who look totally dry, with smooth, shiny, straight hair after doing a hard ride. I guess they just don't sweat the way I do. I have one kid who rarely sweats and one who is like me, so I guess there's a general variability in this trait.

[Bike Chick]

I guess you are right, Crankin. 3 of the women looked like they just stepped out of their car, not off their bikes after riding 30 miles. This is generally the case though and have often wondered how certain women manage to look so fresh. Must be good sweat genes;)

It is easier now that I have found someone to cut my hair correctly. Like you said, Catrin, I just bend over and run my hands through it and shake my head a little bit. Easy. Zen, I'd give you his name if you wanted to drive over.

[zoom-zoom]

Ha, this is why I ALWAYS wear something under my helmet. I sweat like a horse...I always have. I have to wear something on my head when I run, too. When I first started running I actually developed eczema around my eyes...I am literally allergic to my own sweat. During the winter I get sweatsicles off my hair. It's equally disgusting and cool. :p

[MommyBird]

I do not like things on my head. I have dealt with migraine headaches all my life and head pressure is one of the triggers. A mixed blessing is that a blood pressure med that has been highly effective for my HBP the past 6 or 7 years also has reduced my migraines tremendously in strength and quantity.

My son has a buff and I would like to try one but the helmet is about all I can handle in the heat. I can only stand an ear band when it is cold.

I have chin length hair on the top and front that tappers to short stacked hair in the back. I pay an obscene amount of money but I get a ton of compliments. I do not have good hair so my stylist has got to be something special and worth it if I am getting compliments!

I am a sweaty head and get no compliments after a ride though.

Because my hair is so short in the back, neck heat is not an issue for me. This cut allows me to have a feminine look in the front and short, cool, easy hair in the back.

Sounds like the opposite of a mullet now that I think about it. Business in the back but party in the front!

[TrekTheKaty]

Fine, curly, chin-length hair here. BUFF! I cut mine into two--then fold over. I wear low on my forehead so it catches "most" of the sweat (sunblock not required on forehead--YOUCH). It leaves me a little more presentable when I take off my helmet--but nowadays we go in for our "coffee to go" with helmets on. People don't even look twice--at the helmet anyway--the tight shorts, crazy jersey and clicky shoes get all the attention.

Allergic to your own sweat--that STINKS!

[marni]

in addition to sweating inside my ears, my head sweats a lot, which is one of the many reasons that I wear my hair in a buzz. Here in Houston, I end up riding in temperatures rather than cooler temps so I invariably end up standing in a puddle of sweat, leaving sweaty foot prints and looking like I just stepped out of the shower. Wet slick look- got that down pat.

marni

[ScaldedCat]

I got tired of my hair the way it was, midway down my back, dark blonde, dead straight and layered. It was a pain under my helmet, a pain generally while exercising and just boring so I recently had a really short pixie crop and coloured it dark violet. :D

[GLC1968]

Count me in as a buff wearer, too. I have a huge head of hair - it's curly, wavy and pretty much always out of control. Except when my hair was buzz cut short, I've always worn a buff under my helmet.

And for those who get hot (I do), soak it in water and THEN put it on your head - AH! Coolness!

I sweat quite a bit, but I'm rarely super sweaty when I finish a ride because around here, the air is quite dry and it evaporates. I have been known to run into the bathroom to wash the salt crystals out of my eyes or off my upper lip though! ;)

[Chile Pepper]

OK--I'm convinced. I'd like to try a buff on my newly short hair (it's between chin and shoulder length). So, where do I get one? Are they commonly available in bike shops? Are similar products just as good, or do I need to seek out a proper Buff?

[marni]

rei carries them but they aare on line also and have a wild variety of prints, themes, colors, weights etc. I have one that is a sheep being abducted up to an alien space ship, another which has many many with one wolf along with a couple of lovely botanical prints.

marni

[nerdgirl]

I have super long hair (it is down to my waist). I braid it and wear a head rag. Never had a problem with either a XC helmet or a FF helmet.

[marni]

a woman I ride with also .has a long braid which she doubles up after it comes out of the bottom of the helmet and then stuffs the tip back into the back of her helmet leaving a large decorative loop of hair, but as she says, at least the end isn't around and flipping into her eyes.

marni

[Chile Pepper]

Thanks for the tip about REI. I'll look there next time I'm in the area.