long or short?

[Mia]

Definately like the headband idea...have to look into that one with the coolmax. Think I'm going to get it cut a little longer than jaw length. I have bangs and they are always getting in the way anyway, so I think I'll be better off with the headband. I'm ready for a change. I need something that is low maintenance! I might think differently tomorrow morning when we go for our ride though...we are expecting our first frost of the year so I might enjoy the extra warmth my long hair will give me! I am really hating the thought of winter and all those hours on my indoor trainer...

[LED_now]

Like Led, I had a number 1 in 1996 as part of my graduation... it is undoubtedly the best hair cut I have ever had... no shampooing or brushing - brilliant...
I was asked often if I was having chemotherapy or if I was gay...

Interesting bit, Road Raven - I've just gotten that 'feeling' for the first couple of times now - the gay vibe, feeling some gals projecting this on me.

Whether these gals are gay or straight gals thinking I'm gay, or whatever -
isn't it stupid that we are still living in a world where
A) there's a differential vibe and,
B) that a hair style could actually draw out such a reaction from people

?!?! ... Silliness. We might as well be still in the dark ages.

I've actually received a vibe from a girl the other day, a girl with whom I just struck up a little casual small-talk outside the coffee shop (about her bike no less) -- and I got the vibe that she assumed I was gay & for some reason, that mattered to her & the conversation was not welcome. ??!

Silliness. It never occurred to me that this might have been why, until I told my husband and he mentioned my hair. What a weird world still in 2005.

[Mia]

Working with the public for many, many years, I have learned that first impressions are usually right. (although we do have a gray-haired woman in her 70's with a mouth dirtier than any sailor! ) And it's not until we "judge" somebody wrong that we even realize we are doing it. That's when I feel bad..."oh my gosh, I should never have expected so and so to be that way, etc." A lot of the other people that I work with have said the same thing. I think it must be a subconscious thing. Sometimes it's a good thing, because there are plenty of bad people out there and you definately want to trust your gut feelings. I just don't understand why, even if she thought you were gay, would she care about that?? I so seldom get to meet new women that are interested in biking I wouldn't care if she had a purple mohawk. She probably had a lot of personal issues of her own. More power to you for not caring....I read a Quote recently that I really liked, it said:

Be who you are and say what you feel,
because, those WHO MIND don't matter
and those WHO MATTER don't mind.
-Dr. Seuss

[RoadRaven]

Like Led, I had a number 1 in 1996 as part of my graduation... it is undoubtedly the best hair cut I have ever had... no shampooing or brushing - brilliant...
I was asked often if I was having chemotherapy or if I was gay...

Interesting bit, Road Raven - I've just gotten that 'feeling' for the first couple of times now - the gay vibe, feeling some gals projecting this on me.

Whether these gals are gay or straight gals thinking I'm gay, or whatever -
isn't it stupid that we are still living in a world where
A) there's a differential vibe and,
B) that a hair style could actually draw out such a reaction from people

?!?! ... Silliness. We might as well be still in the dark ages.

I've actually received a vibe from a girl the other day, a girl with whom I just struck up a little casual small-talk outside the coffee shop (about her bike no less) -- and I got the vibe that she assumed I was gay & for some reason, that mattered to her & the conversation was not welcome. ??!

Silliness. It never occurred to me that this might have been why, until I told my husband and he mentioned my hair. What a weird world still in 2005.

Oh yes, I agree... and I have always believed if most people listened to their hearts they would probably find they were bisexual anyways... Judaeo-Christian and Islamic belief systems have given us patriarchal societies that must keep women under control and in their place. Two women together, fulfilled (not just sexually) was seen as a threat to men (and is still to some men - and women) and therefore should be supressed, mocked or ignored. Crazeeeee!

We are who we are, and certainly our hair should not dictate how we are perceived sexually...

Put the "wig" on the other head... plenty of male "celebs" have been perceived as sexy and masculine with longer, and even pony-tailed hair (yum, I do like long hair on a man) but as soon as you shorten a womans hair she becomes masculine or unfeminine... stoooopid!

[Hillandale]

One thing I have thought about doing with my barely-long-enough-for-a-ponytail hair is to try a hair net. I saw some of the really fine, nearly invisible ones in the drugstore the other day, and thought it might be a different solution to avoid the wild and crazy way my hair sticks out of the helmet if unrestrained. I know some of the women in horse shows use them to manage their hair under their riding helmets.

Hair nets make me think of my blue haired grandmother in the 1960's, and she would never have ridden a bike. My grandfather was featured in the local newspaper for riding around his small town on his bike when he was well into his 80's, but of course he didn't wear a helmet, or need a hairnet!

[Trek420]

Had hair down to my butt 'till '75, short low maintenance hair since then and now flecked with grey.

If it's hot I wear a headband mostly because I sweat...buckets....and if not my glasses slip and sweat gets in my eyes, stings because of the sunscreen...and I wear corkies to keep my glasses from flying off my face and down the cliff.

My favorite corkies are rainbow colored and *that*, my wise and wonderful TE gals *not* the short hair could be your subtle clue that I bat for the other team, or maybe the socks, rainbow bicycle chain bracelet...I've got a lavendar bike for crying out loud

Still most just don't get the vibe from me, dang.

But folks speaking as I do for all of my ilk I ride to ride.

It's always nice to see women out there as well as anyone anywhere who "speaks bike".

Now, I'm sure you're all just absolutely freaking gorgeous with your tree trunk like legs (see the OTHER thread) but may be flattering yourself (and thrilling your husbands simultaneously) if you think that gal was hitting on ya'.

Long or short hair we all get a good case of "helmet hair" after a ride.

I like to keep a hat in the car, one at work, one of those little cycle beanies in a jersey pocket. Wearing a beanie under a helmet acts like a visor too. I've been instructed it's a "bike fashion don't" to wear a MTB helmet on a road bike. Who knew? Who cares?

[Mia]

Hey Girls,

Well, October 8th is finally here...getting my new do today...I've decided to go ahead and cut it off . I think I'm going to get a bob a little longer than jaw length and just wear a headband to pull it back under helmet. After the hair appointment I'm heading to the LBS to meet my husband and getting a new mountain bike. . I've only ridden on the street so far, so I'm excited to try out the new bike. I think I'll like the new low-maintenance hairdo, thanks so much for all the advice.

[cindysue]

don't forget to post a pic! Have fun getting pampered at the salon

[Trek420]

cindysue reminds "don't forget to post a pic! Have fun getting pampered at the salon "

picture of the bike?

picture of the hair?

picture of the bike of course!

sounds of Trek as she shuffles off to make a note to self "when we open the women's bike shop it needs a salon and spa built in with helmet-friendly-hair-styles and sports massage"

Anyone use those pony-tail specific helmets? Whadya think of them? The only rider I know who uses one....is a guy ;-)

[nicolezoie]

My hair's just past my knees, and I have my hair in a coiled up ball at the base of my neck. I braid it first, then slide the braid into a home-made nylon hair sleeve, then roll it up to my neck. I also have curly/wavy hair and my scalp frizz can get so totally out of control after a ride - helmet hair isn't just for "shorties". I haven't worn my braid down my back since someone in a car tried to reach out and grab it a couple years ago. Sometimes I'll put it into a low bun and pull a snood (hair net) over it all. During the winter I use a do'rag for a little warmth (it doesn't get that cold here) and a headband to cover my ears.

[Trekhawk]

sounds of Trek as she shuffles off to make a note to self "when we open the women's bike shop it needs a salon and spa built in with helmet-friendly-hair-styles and sports massage"

ooohhh sports massage. That would be heaven.