oh so shallow.. but what the heck to do you do with your hair?

[shootingstar]

I've not been able to find a resolution to the hairstyle/helmet hair problem and have resorted to walking to work instead. Only have to go just over 2kms each way and takes only 25 minutes of fast walking. My hair is much like Oprah's natural curl and volume, and if I pull it straight it would reach about 2 inches above my waist. I keep it up in a French roll while at work - just to keep it under control. Some days it goes up easily and on others it fights me, so riding with hair down and then trying to tame it at work could take up too much time. Hence the walking. If only there was a helmet designed for "up-do's".

True for that commuting distance one can walk easily..but unlike you when one of my previous jobs was same distance one-way from home (2 kms.), I quintupled my cycling distance with a 9% hill for workout, on my way to work deliberately just so I could get some fitness mileage. I deliberately added that hill in my route.

Jenn72: I refuse to remove my helmet when I'm out cycling. My hair looks like crap since it gets soaked with sweat. I'm always amazed when other women take a rest and pull of their helmets and their hair looks halfway decent. I couldn't commute to work on bike unless they did have a shower so I could get completely ready there

How about: some of us don't care what we look like when taking off helmet after a ride. I usually got into work earlier than the regular start time because I had to change etc. So not that many people even saw me regularily, with messy hair but..glowing in the face.

I worked for several employers where there were alot of men in the organization or senior managers saw me. Plus all the dressed up women. I did have various jobs where also there was a dress code where I had to wear business attire, jacket, dress shoes, etc. when I did cycle-commute.

You may be surprised: They will respect you a great deal for being committed to regular daily fitness. I had a number of employees express approval or it resulted in them asking me about more about cycling. Obviously they don't see /care about the sweat because I myself cleaned up. Yes, several directly attributed my regular cycling to my weight control in a positive manner. I even was introduced to an organization by email to all 400 employees that I cycled to work regularily.

I am intrigued though....obviously there maybe alot more women out there who just won't cycle regularily because of helmet hair. How unfortunate. Please look beyond and not worry so much.

My health/fitness is worth 20x times more to me than how my hairstyle looks. I credit regular cycling for keeping my weight the same as ...25 years ago when I wasn't cycling at all. It has been the only way for me to fit in regular fitness activity that served as transportation too, during long days of work and little evening hrs. left.

Thank God for cycle-commuting. (and other types of cycling done over the years).

And I agree for some women, long hair in ponytail/1 braid works. I just don't look good in long hair anymore...long hair on some women's faces....accentuates aging (lines, any time when not enough sleep, etc.).