Long hair and commute

[Crandoggler]

No, you sweat, but it dries on your skin.

Unless you're any form of animal, except a human, you sweat to cool your body. It is a very natural, very effective way that we have learnt to cool ourselves.

Of course, if your route is 18 miles freewheeling, or at 10mph at a ridiculously low cadence and gear, then I accept.

 

[Andy_R]

If you normally wear your hair down, could you tie it back? If you normally tie it back, would shoving it into a rough plait help? (I'm aware that plaiting your hair isn't usually a socially acceptable thing for a male to do...) Pull it straight out of the plait when you arrive and give it a good brush...

If the problem is more that it looks a bit greasy, then I don't really have any suggestions. I've no experience of dry shampoo.

Edit: As a women with short enough hair to contribute to sometimes being thought to be male at first glance, I'm with jefmcg that if you want to wear your hair long, you should.

Unless, of course, you are this guy.....then it is not only socially acceptable, but you wouldn't dare say a word about it

 

[Andy_R]

No, you sweat, but it dries on your skin.

Unless you're any form of animal, except a human, you sweat to cool your body. It is a very natural, very effective way that we have learnt to cool ourselves.

Of course, if your route is 18 miles freewheeling, or at 10mph at a ridiculously low cadence and gear, then I accept.

Huh???? We also sweat to cool down....

 

[mjr]

No, you sweat, but it dries on your skin.

Unless you're any form of animal, except a human, you sweat to cool your body. It is a very natural, very effective way that we have learnt to cool ourselves.

Of course, if your route is 18 miles freewheeling, or at 10mph at a ridiculously low cadence and gear, then I accept.

Crikey, that's overpolarising it a bit. I'm pretty sure I need to be riding much harder than 10mph before my body needs to sweat but of course, I would sweat if I was riding flat out or in sticky Lycra with sweat-absorbing pads.

Also, do we really learn to sweat? I don't remember those lessons!

 

[summerdays]

I work with loads of people who cycle to work and they don't all shower, and no the office doesn't stink! And I'd have problems if I couldn't cycle that distance without having a shower, else how could you cycle to the shops, visit friends etc?

As for the hair issue would a buff help to absorb any moisture or keep it from flying around? My main issue with my hair and helmets is if I don't wear one it blows around, but sometimes I like that, and if I do wear one I end up with lines in my head from the pads.

 

[cyberknight]

Clippers, no 1 minimum. You'll look smart, a man in control of his coiffure, a man to be reckoned with, and you won't be nearly so manky. Go the whole way and Bic it and you'll only need a shamois leather to stay on top form!

+1
Although i have to wear a hard hat at work all day then a skid lid on the commute so i have a hat on a good 13 hours a day so "hairstyle " is not really an option , i did have almost an "arnie " style before then .

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Couldn't find any for guys but what about this option http://www.peekaboos-hats.com/

...and when you're not wearing it, you can keep your tea-pot warm.

 

[jonny jeez]

As others have said, its oerfectly feasible to leave off the helmet, take it was and arrive fresher than those that took a hot sweaty train and tube.

But taking it was over 18miles (I am guessing through towns) will take a while...like 2-3 hours depending on how fast you can ride before getting hot.

At a hot pace you can do the ride in an hour. Si perhaps choose your timescale and decide how you want to ride. If you want to push it for more exercise, then use the extra time to find a shower and a hair dryer

 

[vickster]

I work with loads of people who cycle to work and they don't all shower, and no the office doesn't stink! And I'd have problems if I couldn't cycle that distance without having a shower, else how could you cycle to the shops, visit friends etc?

As for the hair issue would a buff help to absorb any moisture or keep it from flying around? My main issue with my hair and helmets is if I don't wear one it blows around, but sometimes I like that, and if I do wear one I end up with lines in my head from the pads.

Except going to a meeting isn't quite the same as going to the shops or a friends or indeed to the office or factory. But maybe for these meetings it isn't an issue. I certainly couldn't turn up to a blue chip company HQ on a bike after an 18 mile ride and not freshen up properly! Tbh the need to be suited and booted for such would preclude cycling anyhow (and the fact many of my meetings are overseas)

 

[mjr]

Do people think everyone on www.CopenhagenCycleChic.com stinks?

 

[summerdays]

Except going to a meeting isn't quite the same as going to the shops or a friends or indeed to the office or factory. But maybe for these meetings it isn't an issue. I certainly couldn't turn up to a blue chip company HQ on a bike after an 18 mile ride and not freshen up properly! Tbh the need to be suited and booted for such would preclude cycling anyhow (and the fact many of my meetings are overseas)

I guess it's normal for people to arrive by bike to any meetings I might go to, I even cycled to my interview many years ago.

 

[Ganymede]

Hi @mwktar! I like to see nice long hair on blokes or lasses. Or short hair if that's what suits them. I've had both (am a woman) and I ride sometimes with and sometimes without a helmet or hat.

I nearly always have either a pony tail or a plait - I find leaving it loose can make it more tangled. To be honest, I'm lucky that my hair stays pretty good with just running my fingers through it - it's straight and fairly fine, your mileage may vary and a comb may be better! I have a friend with lots of wavy hair who uses dry shampoo, but I would test the scent before you buy. I haven't used dry shampoo since my teen years in the late 70s and it was a bit grim then, I believe it is better now.

I have developed a very nice way of putting my hair up so it is flat enough to go under a hat or helmet, but I have to say the effect is somewhat ladylike so unless you request it I won't describe it! You can however plait your hair at the nape of the neck - just a few turns and leave the rest loose. I also wear one of these in colder weather which keeps the bit round the face smooth: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Endura-Ther...ign=Adwords&gclid=CM_buqLF38cCFWPnwgodDi8LHw#

Re everyone going on about sweating - some people (like Mr G) sweat heavily and others (like me) very little - it's probably due to genetics. In my limited personal selection of anecdata I have found the more northerly your heritage, the more you sweat, and a fair or strawberry blond Celt is probably the sweatiest. (I know @Fnaar might think I sound like Miss Goodbody here.) Anyway in our house it is Mr G who takes, and needs, the most showers, and he has 1/4 at least Celtic blood.

 

[summerdays]

Hi @mwktar! I like to see nice long hair on blokes or lasses. Or short hair if that's what suits them. I've had both (am a woman) and I ride sometimes with and sometimes without a helmet or hat.

I nearly always have either a pony tail or a plait - I find leaving it loose can make it more tangled. To be honest, I'm lucky that my hair stays pretty good with just running my fingers through it - it's straight and fairly fine, your mileage may vary and a comb may be better! I have a friend with lots of wavy hair who uses dry shampoo, but I would test the scent before you buy. I haven't used dry shampoo since my teen years in the late 70s and it was a bit grim then, I believe it is better now.

I have developed a very nice way of putting my hair up so it is flat enough to go under a hat or helmet, but I have to say the effect is somewhat ladylike so unless you request it I won't describe it! You can however plait your hair at the nape of the neck - just a few turns and leave the rest loose. I also wear one of these in colder weather which keeps the bit round the face smooth: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Endura-Ther...ign=Adwords&gclid=CM_buqLF38cCFWPnwgodDi8LHw#

Re everyone going on about sweating - some people (like Mr G) sweat heavily and others (like me) very little - it's probably due to genetics. In my limited personal selection of anecdata I have found the more northerly your heritage, the more you sweat, and a fair or strawberry blond Celt is probably the sweatiest. (I know @Fnaar might think I sound like Miss Goodbody here.) Anyway in our house it is Mr G who takes, and needs, the most showers, and he has 1/4 at least Celtic blood.

I'm strawberry blond ish ... But I'm not a speed freak! Maybe that's what makes the difference.

 

[Ganymede]

I'm strawberry blond ish ... But I'm not a speed freak! Maybe that's what makes the difference.

Almost certainly!

 

[Tin Pot]

Do people think everyone on www.CopenhagenCycleChic.com stinks?

Nice site.

Halfway through an 18 miler on their way to present the recent stress testing results to the Financial Policy Committee.