Helmet kept on or taken off?

**GLC1968** · 02-10-2009, 02:33 PM

I have crazy curly hair too. When it's short, I just run my hands over my hair and call it good. When it's in-between, I wear a buff. I pretty much need one to tame my hair just so that I could put a helmet on...never mind take the helmet off!

But, like others have said, if I'm going to be somewhere for awhile, I'll take my helmet off...otherwise, I just walk around with it on my head but the straps undone. This is what I do for grocery store trips. It's easier than carrying it!

**solobiker** · 02-10-2009, 02:35 PM

I leave mine on unless we are stopping in someplace to eat.

**wackyjacky1** · 02-10-2009, 04:08 PM

I take mine off whenever I can. I always feel a little goofy walking around with it on.

**AnnieBikes** · 02-10-2009, 05:56 PM

I take mine off and if I have bad hair, I have bad hair!! I do carry a baseball hat if I am touring for wearing when we stop to eat if it is really sunny or hot...for sun protection as much as for bad hair. If it is a quick stop for water, rest room, snack, etc., I leave it on!

**fatbottomedgurl** · 02-10-2009, 10:20 PM

I take it off. I look like h*ll anyway with no makeup and all red and sweaty (and if I'm mountain biking I am usually filthy too). Somehow the lycra and jersey and shoes scream "biker" anyway. The other crowd is the riding tights and field boots equestrians. They never wear their helmets. But they don't park their ponies outside either.

**OakLeaf** · 02-11-2009, 02:05 AM

If I've been riding at all long or hard, my hair is already sticking up through the vents in the helmet. So from that POV it doesn't matter if I take it off or leave it on.

For me it has more to do with where I'm going to put the thing. For a quick errand or pee break I'll leave it on my head but maybe release the buckle. (If you ride in a forward lean or tuck, your helmet strap should be a little uncomfortable when you're upright! It's not much use if it's just going to slide to the side of your head in a crash.) But if I don't have to think about where to put it, then that's 15 seconds that I didn't add on to a 30 second errand.

If I'm going to be inside for a longer time, like in a restaurant, and there's secure outdoor parking where it won't get jostled and possibly dropped, I'll hook it over my handlebars. Or in the saddlebag of the commuter bike.

**GraysonKelly** · 02-11-2009, 02:46 AM

I usually wear a bandana under my helmet to keep my hair from sliding down in my face and for sweat. My hair is just long enough to be annoying and I'm growing it out so it will inevitably get more so as time goes on. I don't take my helmet off if I stop unless my head needs a break or I'm gonna be stopped for a while. However, i will admit that I love taking the helmet and bandana off when I'm done riding or going into a restaurant or something...I love the look people give me when they see my hair all wet and shaggy and just generally messed up. I don't get too many looks with the helmet on, but boy do they stare when they see that sweaty mess!

My hair isn't curly and I don't know what a buff is (yet) but I'd try the bandana. It works great for me and I know other people who use them for running or working out who swear by them.
Gray

**Becky** · 02-11-2009, 03:44 AM

For those who were wondering, these are Buffs, and they simply rock: http://www.buyabuff.com/

The womens slim fit is the same size as the med/jr buff, but in more feminine, grown up patterns. If you have a tiny head like I do, the womens/med/jr should fit well.

**emily_in_nc** · 02-11-2009, 03:36 PM

I look terrible in buffs! They accentuate the crease between my eyes that would be obliterated by Botox, but I refuse to go there (so far). I just look angry in a buff. I have to have bangs to hide the crease and look like the (normally) happy person I am!

But in answer to the original question, I often carry a ballcap in my rack bag when I take utility rides, and I take the helmet off and put the ballcap on to go into stores. The brim helps hide the forehead crease (check my avatar: bonus points if you can find a forehead crease!)

When I used to do club rides, I would keep the helmet on because I am the queen of bad helmet hair and sweat like a pig.

**solobiker** · 02-11-2009, 04:37 PM

I rode to Whole Foods today and walked around in there with it on. I figure one less to hold onto.

**TrekTheKaty** · 02-12-2009, 07:52 AM

I used to care, but then I accidentally wore my helmet into a coffee shop and no one even noticed (frequented by bike riders on the weekend). Then I noticed it was one less thing to fumble with as my husband rides away.

My husband carries a ball cap. I also have curly hair, and usually slide my sunglasses up on top of my head to minimize to mess. Otherwise, I bend over and give my hair a quick shake, to "unstick" what was stuck to my head. Either way, I'm a sweaty mess and probably shouldn't be walking around in lycra.

If people do look at me funny, I remind myself they are probably out of shape and drove their gas-sucking SUV down the block to buy a cup of coffee :-)

**Jolt** · 02-12-2009, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by Becky

size as the med/jr buff, but in more feminine, grown up patterns. If you have a tiny head like I do, the womens/med/jr should fit well.

Maybe I'll have to try that. I have a regular buff and it's too loose and slides off easily. I just wish the womens/jr. buffs had a better selection of patterns--there are very few good ones!!

**fidlfreek** · 02-12-2009, 05:05 PM

Wear the helmet! They are expensive accessories! Plus, don't want to set it down and forget it right?

**RoadRaven** · 02-13-2009, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Running Mommy

helmet stays on... That way they also know why I'm clad in lycra with all my bits hanging out...

A1!!!
Thats me!

**DDH** · 02-13-2009, 11:57 AM

Mine comes off immeidiately being as I am usualy stopping because I am so hot that I need to cool off a minute anyway. I also have a very thick head of hair and my heads sweats and gets very hot, so I need the break.

I'm like some of the other girls, I'm all sweaty and red and look terrible anyway, so taking the helmet off isn't going to make that much of a difference.
I'm one of those girls that sweats profusely, so there is no help for me. LOL

I'm big, I'm in lycra, with bike shoes and a helmet in hand. I figure if they don't like what they see, they can turn the other way. In fact, I am less self conscience when I am riding, than I am any other time.

I guess my mind is on my heat stroke more than what I look like. LOL

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