Hair question (probably very stupid, too)

[gingerale]

I have what is probably a really idiotic question. But still, I have to ask. I have short hair. It's also fine and a little on the thin side (okay, more than a little! lol). I have an upcoming ride and have an idiotic question. When I'm done riding a long ride, my hair looks awful! Last summer, we did a week long ride and every day I was so embarressed to take my helmet off. So I took a girlie bandana with me and would put it on over my hair after I took off my helmet to hide the hideous mess until we could finally get back to a shower. Does anyone have any suggestions other than wearing a hat about what to cover my head?

[Crankin]

Squirt your hair with water from your bottle and keep a teeny bit of gel or some product in your car or seat bag. Style it with your hands and you'll be fine.

[OakLeaf]

- why don't you like the do-rag?

- when I'm sweaty, gritty and skuzzy from all day in the saddle, my hair is the least of my concerns

- lots of gel? Doesn't work for me, as my hair is thick, coarse and tends to be oily, and no amount of gel will revive it unless I've washed it immediately before, but might for you.

- if you're not squeamish about public restrooms and if your hair looks better air-dried than it does with helmet hair, wash your hair in the sink.

[gingerale]

It's not that I don't like the do rag, necessarily. I just feel silly in it and look like I've been whipped and set aside for trash pick up.

Actually, wetting it and some gel sounds okay.

[alpinerabbit]

would be my least concern on a long, multiday, ride, I'd be more concerned with being proud of what I did.

Pride first, shower later, I say.... (shall I make that my new sig line?)



But you asked about covering your head. Instead of a run-of-the-mill baseball cap, that is bulky, why not get a classy, classic, euro, and more portable cyclist cap?

[gingerale]

Yes, yes. I know that my head is the least of my worries after those long rides. And it is, right up until I begin to recover and realize that I look like dried snot.

A cap is a possibility, too. Thanks.

[jobob]

The funny thing is, your hair probably didn't look half as bad as some of the others on the tour. Hopefully it didn't matter as much to them (or, they weren't near mirrors )

I like the idea of the bike cap.

[Biciclista]

This morning I arrived at work, having ridden. I went into the lady's room, where a lady was putting on her makeup, spritzing her hair. After i put my helmet into my locker (she was gone now) I did my best to make my hair look like I brushed it and went to work.
I guess it's about priorities. I'd rather be healthy and not quite so primped.
being healthy with rosy cheeks is its own kind of beauty. And people do notice.

[Norse]

When my hair was longer it was easy - just pull it back and put it in a pony tail. Now though I usually am wearing a Headsweat band that I keep on or I have a post-ride cap available.

[KathiCville]

I sympathize with you! I have short baby fine hair that rarely emerges from the helmet looking presentable. Spritzing with water, leaning over to comb it through and tucking the ends under is about the best I usually do in dealing with it post-ride, till shower-time. That being said, I just poked around online to see what lightweight, summer-friendly alternatives might be out there for you and hit on some nice-looking fabric headbands of varying widths on Etsy, the big website for artisans.

There appear to be loads of choices (search on headband or hairband), but this one gal (mixbaby) had several items on her site that grabbed my eye. Her fabrics are interesting, which would help to distract attention from your hair and send it to the headband and the face framed by it. Just a thought!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5049460

Edit: Here's another gal on Etsy who has some nice-looking headbands (BCharmer). Her fabrics are great and most are reversible:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id...ion_id=5051072

OK, OK, I can't resist adding another link (Zummi): http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id...ion_id=5517143

Now you've got me thinking *I* should nab a couple of these in case I run errands post-ride and don't want to scare small children and animals with my helmet hair, LOL!

[Becky]

I have short, fine hair that generally gets sucked through the vents in my helmet, resulting in something that looks like Chewbacca from Star Wars after a long ride. I'll either rock the "wookie hair", or just wear a baseball cap.

For commuting to work, I wet my hair down with a spray bottle, comb flat, and air dry. A little hair goop once dry makes it presentable enough for the office.

[katluvr]

do-rag or buff!
Best for short flat hair!

[ASammy1]

I wear a buff that has skulls and crossbones on it! I feel tough when I wear it!

[Blue_Wildflower]

When I ride to work, I put some product in my hair and put it in a low pony tail or a bun.

Any other time, I leave it down and put on a hat.

[shootingstar]

In reading this thread..I am reminded that I need a haircut ...well at least before Christmas. Otherwise my growing hair starts to itch my neck..when doing sports.

I have fine but lots of hair, that tends to go flat, straight after cycling for a few hrs. I've never paid attention to how I look when I get off the bike and walk around stores or even walking into the workplace.

As I get older, I care less how my hair looks, vs. my weight, fitness and overall health. Right now I'm more concerned that I don't look tired in the face. A haircut helps abit, but not completely..

More people seem to comment (in a positive way) on my overall body shape in relation to my age, rather...than my hair.