Long (about mid-back length) hair here. I pull it back in a ponytail and stick it between the helmet and the fitting ring for cycling; actually, I wear it in a ponytail most of the time because it's quick and easy and keeps it out of the way. Too bad I don't know how/am not coordinated enough to braid it--that would be another nice practical way to wear it. Sometimes when it's cool out I'll just wear it down with a headband to keep it out of my face, or with a bandanna tied as a kerchief. It's actually pretty low-maintenance--no having to get it cut every six weeks like I did when I wore it really short, and I never blow-dry it (I don't have the patience to spend the time, and the sound of the blow dryer drives me crazy anyway!). It also doesn't tend to look as bad after being active or wearing a helmet or hat. I haven't noticed any damage from the helmet, just a little breakage from the elastics (resu lts in lots of little flyaway stuff that, if it's humid, sticks out every which way and makes me look like I have just stuck my finger in a light socket). An added bonus of having my hair long is that I never get mistaken for a boy (this happened on a few occasions when I wore it short, and was quite embarrassing), even though I rarely wear makeup and don't dress in anything frilly.