long or short?

[Mia]

Hey Girls,

Just a little question for you. My hair is kinda long, about three inches past my shoulders(and very thick), so when ride I just pull it back into a ponytail. I'm thinking of getting it cut just a little lower than my jawline, but was wondering...will it be in my way when I'm riding? Is it going to stick out from under my helmet and tickle me, or get sweaty and stick to my neck and face, or will it be a lot cooler not having all that hair laying on my back in a ponytail? My hair appointment is Oct 8th, and I'm going to go with whatever the majority says!

[Asphaltgirl]

two words... pig tails. (or is that one word?). Anyway, thats what I ended up having to do when my hair was shorter. now when I get it cut, my stylist pulls it back into a pony tail and knows what length to cut it--just enough to pull back and get the rubberband around it. whatever doesn't make it into the pig/pony tail gets bobbie pinned. I did try wearing a do-rag under my helmet but it was just too hot. figured it was easier just to deal with clips and pins.
~AG~

[caligurl]

hmmmmmm not sure about it bothering you and getting in your face... i know i can't stand to have my hair loose when riding my bike or working out... ICK! i HAVE to put it in a ponytail!

i'm trying to figure out the pigtails under a helmet????

maybe you can use a sweatband/headband to hold it back away from your face if it's too short for a tiny ponytail? if it's too short for a ponytail... my best guess is yes.. it will get sweaty and stick to your face and neck....

[Asphaltgirl]

Caligurl-
yup, the pigtails were a bit tricky--you had to make sure that they were on the right head position so they fit under the helmet, if you got them low enough it worked. ah the things we do for beauty!

[tatormc]

My hair is about halfway down my back. If it's hot outside it goes into a bun at the base of my next cause the ponytail on my back is just too hot.

[Dianyla]

I'm of the opinion that one should go either really short (less than 2" all over) or long enough to keep the hair securely tied, braided, bunned, etc.

As for myself, my hair is down to my calves.

[Steph_in_TX]

Just below the chin can be an annoying length for helmet wearing. My hair was really short and that was great for cycling, but now that I'm growing it out, I'm finding it bothersome sometimes. A sweat band does help the front part stay back and out of the way. Mine isn't long enough yet to put in one or two pig tails, but I see how that would be nice to keep it off your neck. That's just my experience these days...

[DirtDiva]

I've had hair between chin- and shoulder-length for most of my life. I hate having it tied back and only ever do so when I'm in the shower or the bath and don't want to get it wet. Unless it's really windy, I don't have a problem with it under my helmet - I just tilt my head back and make sure all my hair is out of the way before I put the helmet on and it seems to stay there. I guess it depends what you prefer ordinarily; if loose hair drives you mad anyway, you'd probably hate it that way under the helmet too.

[Pedal Wench]

I used to always wear a ponytail, but just started doing a long braid. But, I realized that it was getting nasty and knotted from sweat and sunscreen. I just re-discovered braids. A single one that starts high enough to lift all the hair off the back of my neck, and the one strand isn't hot at all.

[KSH]

I have my hair layered up and some of hits a little below my shoulders.

It works out great! I can pull the longer part in a ponytail to keep it off my neck and I wear a headband to keep the shorter parts out of my face.

I think if your hair is too short to pull back in a ponytail, it could get annoying. But that is just me. I like being able to pull all my hair back and off my face when I workout.

[JanT]

I agree with Dianyla: long enough for a pony tail or really short. I've tried the mid-range, and it was alot of work to keep it looking decent with working out every day. When I was younger, I kept in long and in a pony tail for running. Now that I am a bicyclist, I wear it short. Couldn't stand the crunchy hair (from salt/sweat) after a ride. My daughter got her hair cut chin length, and it drove her nuts, always in her face. That wouldn't present a problem on the bike with a helmet, but would it bug you the rest of the day?

Also, consider your climate. If you live where it's warm year round, you might opt for a shorter doo. Otherwise, winter is coming, and the longer hair might keep your neck warmer.

[Mia]

Hey Girls,

Thanks so much for all the advice Knew I could count on you..think I will just leave it long. A pony-tail is a lot better than having little hairs in my face while I'm concentrating on a big hill! I could never pull off one of those little two inch pixie cuts plus I live in the Midwest, so we are just getting ready for the cold season. You're right, Jan T, the extra warmth will be nice this winter. Thanks again for all your help, now I can quit thinking about it.

[Grog]

One of those "What was I thinking????" moments:

I got my hair cut much shorter than I am used in June, thinking that it would be cool to have less hair under the helmet. I am not sure how it happened, but it turned out to be layered with many layers shorter than bottom-of-the-ear length.

Total mess: I have hair coming out of my helmet venting holes, it looks totally ridiculous, I can see it by looking at my shadow when I ride!!! I was SO mad. Still hasn't grown back enough for all of my hair to fit in a pony tail. Pins help... but it's really annoying.

I am not getting any hairdresser any close to my hair until has graduated to ponytail length, and I will make my instructions more clear the next time I guess.

So yes: extremely short or shoulder-length and longer...

Make sure you explain what we told you to your hairdresser!!! Most of them (those I know at least) are not really athletes so maybe even bring the helmet for a demonstration.

[Mia]

That is really funny, in a horrible sort of way ....I'm getting a visual of your shadow....Thanks for sharing, yes, that is exactly what I want to avoid! I always get my hair cut off, then half the time I hate it, and think...never, never, again! Then it gets long, and I think, wouldn't this look cute short?? Not this time...after all the good advice I have gotten, I think I'll just maybe get a loose perm, then I can wash and go after a ride.

[Grog]

after all the good advice I have gotten, I think I'll just maybe get a loose perm, then I can wash and go after a ride.

I have the chance to have vaguely curly (if unruly!) hair to start with. Wash and go is what you want indeed!