Road Cycling - winter headband frustration

i get really bad earaches from wind when i ride if i don't wear an ear protector or headband type garment. i am frustrated because when i ride, all i can hear is the ocean. not good in traffic. i want to be able to hear what is going on around me. any one have the same challenge and any advice or remedy to my situation?

thanks:(

I use a balaclava. Protects from the wind, covers top of head, ears and most of face and neck. It is thin and helmet goes on easily.

I usually get that "ocean" type sound all the time. My bavaclava and/or headband actually blocks it a little bit. The best way I've found to stop that sound is to tilt your head slightly to one side, but keep your eyes looking forward. I switch sides as I go. For some reason, that slight tilt changes how the wind hits your ears and you don't get that "ocean" sound. Try... see if you can do it. You can also try tilting your head slighty down (i.e., lower your chin).

Hope that helps,

PBW

I'm with the other guys. The balaclava seems to cut some of the wind noise as well as keep the head and ears warm.

I'm with PB I just check my mirror before I make any moves that may put me in harms way with someone in an auto comin up from behind. I have also started using a portable radio and can see that it makes no differnce in how soon I detect any thing from behind.
I rely on my eyes more than my ears!!!

i use a windproof fleece headband that works great - i put it on around my neck, put on my helmet and then slide it back up over the straps so it covers my ears and forehead. then if it gets warm while riding i just pull it back down around my neck.

as the the noise... my helmet straps make some whistling noise already and the windproof fleece headband actually makes this less, although my ears are covered so overall hearing is probably not as good, but no way around that i think?

I get earaches too, any time the temperature gets below 60 F or if it gets very windy.

Cotton balls, or 1/2 of one, in each ear do the trick for me. I've ridden metric centuries in subfreezing weather like that.

I was told once this affects some people but not others because of the way the aerodynamics work around your ears. Apparently it gives some people major problems while not affecting others at all.

I recently bought a PearlIzumi headband that covers my ears and so far it's working out OK. In any event, I always carry a clean cotton ball in a ziploc in case the temperature drops during fall rides.

wow, good info. from all of you. thanks so much. i never thought about the cotton ball thing. i am going to have to try that. i have actually been looking at the pearl izumi balaclava. anybody have this one? does it block the wind pretty good?

i also have this head covering that has ear flaps (i got from performance years ago) so i don't have sweat and moisture in my ears during the ride.

our winter has now given way to summer:) i ride a lot in the wee small hours, when it was at it coldest, i cut the legs off a pair of long thermal under pants to wear under my shorts to keep my "vitals" warm, & i used one of the legs to wear on my head:D (true) under my helmet & pulled down over my ears , it worked like a charm ! warm but not too bulky.

What kind of balaclavas do you folks use? I have one that's so thin it doesn't even slow the wind down. I'm looking for a new one to help that a little.

I've tried a dozen or so skull-cap/ear cover arrangements over the past 20+ years and the best in my experience is "Do Wraps" coolmax winter unit (I've worn them for the last three winters in Colorado & the Idaho panhandle). There's a couple of models/choices of materials. Have your dealer get some in to try.

I have a couple of lycra swim caps laying around
from my diving kit, so I tried one under the helmet
and it works great. Doesn't cover ears (so doesn't answer
original question - sorry) but it does keep head warmer
than nothing other than helmet.

Marty

hmmmm never thought of a swim cap