Anyone who has ever participated in an athletic activity understands the trials associated with keeping one’s coiffure in order. That’s not completely true, I guess. Golfers don’t have to wear a hat. But pretty much everyone else does. We just called it “hat hair” when wearing a ball cap.
Cycling is unique among activities that can make for a bad hair day, mainly because of the style of the typical bike helmet. Those wind vents can wreak havoc on your hair, especially if you’re rocking a buzz cut, as I did for many years. Combine that with a long sweaty bike ride, and you might as well forget about having a good hair day.
Now if you’re just out on a Saturday ride with the crew, and you stop and down a Shiner Bock or two after, then head home for a shower, you won’t have a problem. But what about those of us who ride our bike to work? No imbibing. No shower. Just helmet hair.
Today’s ride was the perfect storm, for me anyway. First, it is a hair washing day. Second, the freezing temperatures would require the wearing of a balaclava. Third, I took a longer route, so I was on the bike for forty-five minutes. Wet head. Balaclava. Helmet. Long ride. It’s gonna be ugly.
But who cares? When you ride your bike to work, you can wear your hair any way you want, because you own the day. Workout? Done. Avoiding traffic jams? Always. That big breakfast you ate? A distant caloric memory. If my hair isn’t perfect, those are the breaks. I’m changing the world over here.
The photo you see is a brief timeline on managing helmet hair, for your consideration. Picture 1 is right after removing my helmet and balaclava. Picture 2 is after I brushed it out, and 3 is once I worked it all out and am ready for the day. I hope this encourages you to ride your bike to work and not worry about the status of your coiffure.
Out Here in the Middle 