Hirsute Perspiracity

In article <[email hidden]>,

cycle-one said:

For guys only:

I've been mulling over a momentous decision lately related to hair and
sweat.

I sweat a lot when riding. Mostly the head and torso. And although the 40
milestone just whizzed by last year I still have a full [well the forehead
might be a_tich_ higher] head of hair.

I've been seriously considering going with a shaved head for the summer
riding season. So what I'm wondering: is bald better for sweat or worse?

Does it itch growing back? I sometimes, like in winter riding like to let
the beard grow for as long as I can afford to look disreputable.. well
_more_ disreputable... and the itching doesn't get too bad. I don't care for
a beard much but dislike shaving - especially riding in winter after a fresh
shave.

Is letting your head hair grow out similar? As you might have determined
I've never gone for the shaved head look.

Any wisdom?

If shaving it off would leave you with a distinct tan line,
that might be something to consider.

As for myself, I'm getting by quite nicely with a simple,
short & neat college cut. Easy to groom, doesn't get all
skanky with moisture as when it was long, and quick to dry
when washed.

cheers,
TOm

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

I'm not bald, but the bald guys in our riding group say they have to wear a
bandanna or something similar in the summer or else they'll get a bad
sunburn.

Pat in TX

Pat in TX said:

I'm not bald, but the bald guys in our riding group say they have to
wear a bandanna or something similar in the summer or else they'll get a
bad sunburn.

It's true, but sunscreen works too.

Matt O.

cycle-one wrote -

Quoted message said:

I've been seriously considering going with a shaved head for the summer
riding season. ... Any wisdom?

One of our club members went the shaved head path as part of the preparation
for a national time trial - dubious aerodynamic benefits under a helmet, but
it did create The Look with Attitude.

Inconsistently, he insisted competing with 3 days facial growth, which also
seems to be a racing tradition - shave the head and legs, grow the beard -
go figure!

best, Andrew

I go with a 2/8 inch cut with clippers, dries much faster than 1 inch,
when I get it cut again.

"cycle-one" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

For guys only:

I've been mulling over a momentous decision lately related to hair and
sweat.

I sweat a lot when riding. Mostly the head and torso. And although the 40
milestone just whizzed by last year I still have a full [well the forehead
might be a_tich_ higher] head of hair.

I've been seriously considering going with a shaved head for the summer
riding season. So what I'm wondering: is bald better for sweat or worse?

You might consider the trusty #2 buzz-cut. You can do it yourself with a $25
trimmer. If it doesn't suit you after a couple of weeks, go ahead and shave.
The buzz will give you some UV protection (not a lot, so beware) and there's
no maintenance.

When I got bald enough that it was time to concede the fight, I went to the
buzz on the rest of my head, but I always wear a coolmax do-rag to keep the
sweat out of my face and protect from the sun.

I think the headband makes the difference on sweat management, regardless of
haircut.

RichC

Rich Clark said:

"cycle-one" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For guys only:

I've been mulling over a momentous decision lately related to hair and
sweat.

I sweat a lot when riding. Mostly the head and torso. And although the
40 milestone just whizzed by last year I still have a full [well the
forehead might be a_tich_ higher] head of hair.

I've been seriously considering going with a shaved head for the summer
riding season. So what I'm wondering: is bald better for sweat or
worse?

You might consider the trusty #2 buzz-cut. You can do it yourself with a
$25 trimmer. If it doesn't suit you after a couple of weeks, go ahead
and shave. The buzz will give you some UV protection (not a lot, so
beware) and there's no maintenance.

When I got bald enough that it was time to concede the fight, I went to
the buzz on the rest of my head, but I always wear a coolmax do-rag to
keep the sweat out of my face and protect from the sun.

I think the headband makes the difference on sweat management,
regardless of haircut.

I'm in the same boat, but I don't think a buzz cut offers much sun
protection unless your hair is unusually thick.

Sweat management is a personal thing. Some prefer the bandana/do-rag,
while others like a bare head (and sunscreen).

One thing's for sure though -- a bald or buzzed head is *a lot* cooler. I
notice a big difference after 2-3 weeks without a haircut.

Conversely, in cool weather you'll need a skullcap, etc. a lot sooner.

Matt O.

Tom Keats said:

If shaving it off would leave you with a distinct tan line,
that might be something to consider.

I ride roughly south most days at very near local solar noon. In the
summer that results in little tan rectangles on my upper forehead where
the sun shines through the openings in my helmet. If you shave your scalp
and ride in midday people might start calling you Lizard Man.

Bill

__o | Watch out now, take care, beware of greedy leaders
_`\(,_ | They take you where you should not go...
(_)/ (_) | --George Harrison

I clip mine without a guard, I've shaved it before, and it feels creepy
and alien.

I always wear a cycling cap and sunscreen those poor ears that stick
out.If you don't wear anything on your head, and sweat a lot, you'll go
virtually blind from the sweat dripping into your eyes, sweat that
formerly was soaked up by hair.

Get a decent set of clippers--go to a beauty supply barber type place
and spend at least fifty bucks and you'll be happier than the cheap
models that go dull fast and rip your hair out. I got some fancy pro
quality cordless clippers that are great for doing the beard as well,
they were about $100 and worth every cent. No reason to shave, just
clip it, and revel in your Don Johnsonosity.

"Rich Clark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You might consider the trusty #2 buzz-cut. You can do it yourself with a
$25 trimmer. If it doesn't suit you after a couple of weeks, go ahead and
shave. The buzz will give you some UV protection (not a lot, so beware)
and there's no maintenance.

When I got bald enough that it was time to concede the fight, I went to
the buzz on the rest of my head, but I always wear a coolmax do-rag to
keep the sweat out of my face and protect from the sun.

This is my husband tack as well: #2 buzz cut, but he puts sunscreen on the
top of the head instead of the do-rag. He says the Halo brand headbands work
much better than Headsweats or similar. His story is that most of the brands
of headcovers have a terry thing that goes across the forehead, which, once
it saturates, is no longer effective. For him, that takes less than an hour
of riding. The Halo thing channels the sweat to the side of the head so it
can drain off, rather than drip sweat and sunscreen into his contact lenses.

A lovely photo of him wearing one:
http://www.davidlouislevine.com/TourBC%202005/Day%201%200823%20-%20David%20%20near%20start.jpg.
This was at about mile 10 into our tour.

A photo of him without:
http://www.davidlouislevine.com/TourBC%202005/Day%207%201537%20Resting%20David%20with%20bugs%20on%20his%20face.jpg.
This was, admittedly, about 400+ miles into our tour, after 75 or so miles
that day battling into a headwind. The dead bugs are stuck on with
sunscreen.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Quick note: those photos are the hi-res version. Lo-res are here:
http://www.davidlouislevine.com/TourBC%202005/2005%20TourBC%20Trip%20Report.htm

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Pat in TX said:

I'm not bald, but the bald guys in our riding group say they have to wear a
bandanna or something similar in the summer or else they'll get a bad
sunburn.

Pat in TX

It also absorbs the sweat and keeps it from running into the eyes.

cycle-one said:

For guys only:

I've been mulling over a momentous decision lately related to hair and
sweat.

I sweat a lot when riding. Mostly the head and torso. And although the 40
milestone just whizzed by last year I still have a full [well the forehead
might be a_tich_ higher] head of hair.

I've been seriously considering going with a shaved head for the summer
riding season. So what I'm wondering: is bald better for sweat or worse?

Does it itch growing back? I sometimes, like in winter riding like to let
the beard grow for as long as I can afford to look disreputable.. well
_more_ disreputable... and the itching doesn't get too bad. I don't care for
a beard much but dislike shaving - especially riding in winter after a fresh
shave.

Rather then going bald, how about a nice brush cut, long enough that it
doesn't itch, but short enough that it doesn't get in the way either.
As for shaving in the winter, get a bottle of Nivia for Men After Shave
Balm -- there are other similar products -- you want one that is
alcohol free -- ask your favourite person of the female persuassion,
they tend to know about these things. After you shave and shower, apply
it to the shaved parts of your face. Shaving drys the skin, and so does
cold, one or the other isn't a problem, but combined the effect is four
times worse then either alone. At temperatures below freezing, avoid
applying any product that contains alcohol, it also dries out the skin.
Also good if you get dry skin on your hands, just rub a little in, when
you do your face, and it will help.

W

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:7SuAf.533

Quoted message said:

A photo of him without:
http://www.davidlouislevine.com/TourBC%202005/Day%207%201537%20Resting%20David%20with%20bugs%20on%20his%20face.jpg.
This was, admittedly, about 400+ miles into our tour, after 75 or so miles
that day battling into a headwind. The dead bugs are stuck on with
sunscreen.

Nothing says "attitude" like dead bugs sticking on your face. Always gives
the impression that you're such a tough guy that mosquitos die when they
bite you. 🙂

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm in the same boat, but I don't think a buzz cut offers much sun
protection unless your hair is unusually thick.

Sweat management is a personal thing. Some prefer the bandana/do-rag,
while others like a bare head (and sunscreen).

One thing's for sure though -- a bald or buzzed head is *a lot* cooler. I
notice a big difference after 2-3 weeks without a haircut.

Conversely, in cool weather you'll need a skullcap, etc. a lot sooner.

Oh ya. I figure I'd try it in spring so that it would grow back by autumn.
It does grow back doesn't it??? Also figuring that shaving it all off would
allow me to see what it was like at various lengths as it grows back.

🙂

Admittedly part of my reticence is vanity. I've never done it before. I
feel like I'd look like an alien.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tom Keats said:

If shaving it off would leave you with a distinct tan line,
that might be something to consider.

I ride roughly south most days at very near local solar noon. In the
summer that results in little tan rectangles on my upper forehead where
the sun shines through the openings in my helmet. If you shave your scalp
and ride in midday people might start calling you Lizard Man.

Thought about that too. Mebbe start a fashion trend?

Mother Nature let people retain hair on the head and sparse hair on
the body for a reason, relating to pespiration and cooling during
exertion. Having hair gives sweat a means to quickly move out from the
skin, exposing it to more flowing air. Little droplets travel along
each strand, instead of piling up on the skin. This increases
evaporation and cooling. There are some new, high-tech fabrics that
pull sweat away from the skin even better than hair can do, but the same
principles of wicking are used. Of course, if someone has a thick and
long mop of hair on the head, it might be better for cooling to cut it
shorter. All this affects bicycle riders less than it does runners, as
the faster speeds allow more evaporation to occur, regardless of the
function of hair.

I tried shaving my whole body one time and I was quickly bathed in
sweat, when I went running.
I overheated badly, as it was summertime and I had to wait until
nighttime to run, until the hair grew back. There also needs to be
considered, the miserable period that lasts a couple of weeks, while the
body hair is growing back and at a length of around a half-inch. At
this stage, clothes make the hair ends curl back and scratch the skin.
You'll be itching all over, unless you go naked.

Steve McDonald

Mike Kruger said:

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:7SuAf.533

Quoted message said:

A photo of him without:
http://www.davidlouislevine.com/TourBC%202005/Day%207%201537%20Resting%20David%20with%20bugs%20on%20his%20face.jpg.
This was, admittedly, about 400+ miles into our tour, after 75 or so miles
that day battling into a headwind. The dead bugs are stuck on with
sunscreen.

Nothing says "attitude" like dead bugs sticking on your face. Always gives
the impression that you're such a tough guy that mosquitos die when they
bite you. 🙂

Gnats die when they land in my sweat, and mosquitos stay away.

🙂

Quoted message said:

I go with a 2/8 inch cut with clippers, dries much faster than 1 inch,
when I get it cut again.

Why did you choose that one vs. the 3/12?

Scott 🙂