Long hair problems

**Wonko** · 16th February 2004, 09:54

Just wondering what other people do with their long hair while on their bikes? I tie myine back and tuck down the back of my jacket, but on longer rides some of it gets out and then I end up with big knots in it.

Does anyone have any suggestions??

**mangell6** · 16th February 2004, 10:00

Don't have that problem any more as it all fell out!

**Dave** · 16th February 2004, 10:24

Ask the chics,
Most blokes don't have that problem!

**jrandom** · 16th February 2004, 10:57

Only long-haired rider I know is a guy with dreadlocks. He doesn't seem to be bothered by them flapping in the breeze.

Of course if you affect the soft-curls-falling-over-shoulders style it's a bit difficult to maintain looks after a helmet, innit? Best biker haircut is a #2 clipper run over the head once a week, I reckon.

**Hitcher** · 16th February 2004, 11:30

I suffer from the same problem as Mangell6 (either too tall for hair or too wide a centre parting). Mrs H has cut hers off, after experiencing problems with "helmet hair".

**bluninja** · 16th February 2004, 11:43

When I had long hair I used to put a wool or cotton neck tube on with my hair inside. This meant my hair was held in place from the back of my helmet into my jacket and I never had problems with it. A friend used to twist her hair on top of her head and hold it in place with one hand whilst she pulled the helmet over. Looked awkward but worked for her.

Best cure for helmet hair was putting on a silk balaclava before the helmet...a lot easy to wash and rinse too than a helmet inner.

**Hitcher** · 16th February 2004, 14:10

Originally Posted by bluninja

Best cure for helmet hair was putting on a silk balaclava before the helmet...a lot easy to wash and rinse too than a helmet inner.

I already have enough problems with my "helmet on" sequence without having something else to forget to do!!

1. Take glasses off (and put somewhere where they won't fall onto the road and get chipped)
2. Put ear plugs in (one in each ear)
3. Put helmet on (with visor side forward)
4. Do up helmet chinstrap
5. Locate glasses, open visor and put glasses on

**Milky** · 16th February 2004, 15:10

dreads really are a great solution... the wind even improves them in some cases, as i have found out

it will be the end of all your problems if u get them - they solve the problem of helmet hair if they are the right length too (not too short not too long).
There is one thing u should do which is wear a balaclava to stop the wax getting inside ur helmet, but that aint too much trouble if u have one anyway - I need a new helmet meself so i really cant be bothered protecting my old one

**Slim** · 16th February 2004, 15:55

I used to do the twist of hair on top of head thing when I first got into biking, but after chopping it all off (as I've done several times after getting sick of long hair hassles) I found my helmet so loose I had to buy a new one.

The last time I had long hair (last year), I plaited it and had little to no problems with knots.

**Big Dog** · 16th February 2004, 17:09

I used to use leave in conditioner. It coats the hair so it still blows about but a quick head bang leaves it knot free.

That worked when riding, welding, rock climing, cycling, changing the oil or any other time you would normally get dags.

**What?** · 16th February 2004, 19:12

My trick was to tie my hair up with about six ties, then tuck inside jacket. Like plaiting, but easier...

**curious george** · 16th February 2004, 21:19

Take one pair of clippers or scissors.........

SAve on shampoo, combs, helmet hair, drying time etc etc etc.
You can get it done for $10 if you don't want to do it yourself.

**kasper** · 19th February 2004, 17:13

I find it easy having a pony tail with two hair ties one at the top and one half way down, then wearing a dog collar over the hair and nck with the second hair tie threaded through the dog collar so that it holds the pony tail down.

btu that only when i am not havign the hiar do a medusa behind me which is funn sometimes.

when on a long run i wear a balaclav under the dog collar so it holds the hair down no matter what.

solution to helmet hair with long hair. get a mullet. with short hair on top andlong hair down the back. works great when you keep up with the hair cuts for the top about twice a year.

**merv** · 19th February 2004, 18:24

Tony McMurdo had the plaited pony tail hanging out the back of his helmet when he raced and it certainly never slowed him down. Who remembers those days?

**What?** · 19th February 2004, 19:09

Originally Posted by merv

Tony McMurdo had the plaited pony tail hanging out the back of his helmet when he raced and it certainly never slowed him down. Who remembers those days?

Hell yes! Tony was a hell of a good rider - and humble with it. Caught the opposition unawares on a regular basis...