In the 1968 British-French cult film titled The Girl on a Motorcycle, Marianne Faithfull rides across country on her Harley Davidson with her long, luscious blond hair flowing behind her. Her hair remains flawless throughout the entire film, especially when she gets off of her bike and pulls the infamous slow-motion Hollywood "shake head and let hair loose" move. Her long and silky wind-kissed hair post-ride may seem normal to, or even expected of, viewers who have never been on a motorcycle, but any rider with long hair would scoff at the absurdity of this very inaccurate portrayal. Some might sigh and say, "If only life were this easy!"
In real life, free-flowing hair does not fare well in the wind. Exposure to strong persistent winds can coarsen and entangle even the softest hair. The wind combined with the effects of aerodynamics batters the hairs against one another, roughening the cuticle layer and developing split ends. Combing out knots and mats post-ride weakens and breaks the hair, resulting in thin frazzled hair.
Sound familiar? Most female riders have experienced tangles and kinks in their hair at one time or another. A pair of scissors does not necessarily solve the problem. It is possible to keep your hair long and healthy while riding as often as you want. The only precaution you have to take is to ensure that the wind will not blow through your hair.
Braid your hair
Braided hair, including French braids, reverse braids, and pigtails, is proven to be an effective hairstyle when it comes to keeping your hair under control in the wind. If done correctly, every strand of hair is confined in its place, and after you ride and undo the braids, you are able to run your fingers through your silky locks without even picking up a hairbrush.
Use three or more hair ties
This is arguably the most practical method, often used by male riders with long hair. This is when you pull your hair back in a ponytail at the base of your neck, and bind your hair with a few more hair ties spaced out down the length of your hair. Make sure the very end of the ponytail is tied up securely. This should fasten your hair in its place, but multi-layered hairstyles may be prone to flyaways.
Wear a bandana
If you are not a helmet wearer, it might be a good idea to wear a bandana to prevent bangs or short layers on top of your head from entangling in the wind. Some female bikers swear by satin bandanas, because satin protects hair against friction and, in turn, helps avert hair loss. A baseball cap may do the trick just as well.
Use a hair glove
Usually sold for under $25, hair gloves are 4" – 8" leather, suede, or neoprene tubes made to wrap around ponytail-length hair. Its functionality is straightforward; it keeps your hair under control and away from your face, because your ponytail is fastened inside the tube. However, hair gloves do not cover the top of your head, so a helmet or a bandana may be necessary.
There are many more ways to keep the wind from damaging your hair. These are just a few suggestions. If you have your own method, we would love to hear about it in the comments!
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