i am off on an rtw trip (riding pillion- i know, i know...) in april. we have been on long trips before and i have always had problems trying to work out what to do with my hair.

i realise this is a very girlie post, if the girliness offends please stop reading now. (also i would like to point out this isnt something that keeps me awake at night, i just wondered before i go away for a year this time if anyone can think of something better.).

so far i have always tied it into a scrappy ponytail and suffered very bad helmet hair whenever we have stopped. when we stop (which we like to do a lot) i then have to stand next to the bike embarrassed while i try to pin it up into a more normal state before i can go anywhere with 'real' people. i dont want to have the 'god you look dreadful' stares as well as the usual stares if i go into a normal town in India/ wherever. we ride slowly and take our time- stop a lot. what does every other girl do after she takes her helmet off? i had a friend who put hers in a plait. i've tried this. i look like an idiot. ive also tried short hair, but that looks even worse. and whilst camping and biking its nice to sometimes remind yourself that you are a girl and have real hair.

so, any ideas appreciated? would a scarf round my head help? is there some attempt at a style i can safely achieve with no fuss/ mirror etc?

thanks to you all,
Nicky x x

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Far From Home, U.K - Oz and beyond.
http://www.globegallivanting.blogspot.com/

just because, i cant recall ever knowing a girly biker who solved the helmet hair problem. personally 1/4" long hair means i dont suffer but thats no help to you.

I like to use a bandana.
When I ride i got it round my neck and mouth (good off-road as I usually follow my husband and I get all his dust!) and when we stop, I pull over my hair, it helps a bit!

I'm with you on plaits, I tried and just look silly.
Cheers,

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

I am a bit anal and try desperately to place my helmet on in a position that wont encourage my hair into some awful mess. I go with the theory that flat hair is better than hair that is reaching for the sky. I also second the bandana thing. Well, I used a rolled up neckerchief, or one of those choobs. I know what you mean about wanting to feel even just a little bit feminine on your travels but hair is a real bugger. I have to convince myself (and its probably the truth) that very few people on your travels will even notice let alone care if one side of your hair is pushed forward while the other side sticks up -it shows character anyway!

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Don't be scared your life may end,
Be scared that it may never begin.......

there are other people out there who have thought about this! thanks for making me feel normal!!! thinking the bandana might be the way forward, or maybe a hairband. i shall report back if i find anything good. ((personally ive always wanted to shave my head and then put a wig on whenever i get off the bike, but i think my fiance might notice... ))

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Far From Home, U.K - Oz and beyond.
http://www.globegallivanting.blogspot.com/

I think I'm finally winning the battle on this one! I have hair halfway down my back and haven't found a good solution to the helmet-head issue until this year. I've grown it one length now (no fashionable shorter front anymore!), tie the whole lot in a low back-of-the-head ponytail, plait the rest and it seems to be working really well! I also don't suffer as much from wispy bits in my face, and the full-length style is more useful for creative hairstyles when I'm off the bike ;-)

The low hairband means nothing gets affected by my helmet - nothing to push into my scalp (new helmet is so snug I get a headache even with small bands!) or get dragged around by the helmet coming on and off (perfect way to develop a birds nest on your head!). The plait means the rest stays fairly tidy and doesn't get too destroyed by wind (but tucking it into my jacket also helps, especially on rainy days).

My previously favourite method was to part hair in the middle, and to make two very small french braids just using the front pieces of hair starting from the middle of my head. The braids run just behind my ears, then turn into plaits. I then plait the whole lot together to finish off. Do it well enough and you can leave the plaits in for a couple of days and you have the best afro afterwards!! Unfortunately my new helmet causes too much pressure on just the right points so I had to use this carefully. Old helmet was great though.

If you can manage it, french braid the whole lot from top to bottom Lara Croft style. I'm useless at large braids and my hair just won't stay in it. I've tried a bandanna but end up just pulling it down over my eyes or making a similar mess, but I've met women who swear by it. I'm tempted by the buff/choob covers though - they seem to stay where you want them?

Some might say long hair is impractical, but I work outside alot, have previously travel in hot countries, and have been biking for a while now. Not being fussy with hair styling, I find my long hair incredibly practical and have kept it this length (or longer) since 1995!

Cheers, Tam