i never wore a bandana on my head but i use to carry one in my jersey pocket. i used it to wipe sweat off my face or blow my nose when it was cold. i only stoped carrying one because i kept loosing them but it worked great for its purpose.

cycling cap. Added benefit of sun blockage and rain shielding.

Not kidding, just completely wrong. My apologies. I was referring to this comment from calrider:

Again, my sincerest apologies.

I am 41 and had no idea that I was supposed to be wearing a bandanna. Thanks for the tip. Also, does anyone know where I can get more breathable parachute pants? I get awful sweaty when riding.

calm down, it's just headwear. bandanas are an option to control sweat and tan lines.

I think perhaps you are thinking of a banana. A bandana is just a large handkerchief that one ties around one's head, or ties around one's neck, or stuffs in one's back pocket, or dangles provocatively off one's left or right side depending... They're as cool as they need to be because they are entirely benign.

Two last thoughts:
1) I rode with a group of guys on a roller-coaster 80 mile hammerfest through the south-eastern Connecticut hills this past weekend. The smoothest & suavest guy in the paceline was 68 years old...and he wore a bandana.

2) Brett Michaels still gets more trim in a weekend than you or I get in a year. Ask me how I know that: George Lynch's dad told me. Yeah, it's a small world.

This may belong in the Confessions thread, but I always thought cycling caps looked like neutered baseball caps.

The only reason I don't wear a bandana off my bike is because it would obscure my glorious mullet.

Behold.

If it's a mullet with a perm - that would be somethin'

Yes, I like to wear cycling cap because it protect from sun, bugs and lots of bugs.

I'm 61 and wear do-rags from the Army surplus store. As a contact lens wearer for almost 50 years, the do-rags keep the sweat out of my eyes. Given some of the places I ride I Florida, I also pack a nice folder knife - might have defend myself from a rabid squirrel or something...you never know!

I think it's interesting that calRider has such strong feelings about what other guys wear. With all that protesting and derogatory comments, I would not be surprised if he is a closet bandana wearer.

fixed

Living in FL, it is all about sweat management, without it I am wiping sweat out of my eyes the whole ride. The other thing is the occasional bee that enters one of my helmet vent, seems to keep me from getting stung!

Long-time bandana wearer here. But I am 50+ so I suppose it doesn't count. However, apart from protection from the sun, I have found cotton bandanas are pretty good on cold rides, too. They protect my head from the cold wind, but also can be wrapped around my ears.

ummm ... what was the question?

Bandana's are a must for me. I tried the Halo sweatband but it gets saturated to quickly. Whenever I forget my "sweat management device" on a ride I am seriously regretting it. As was mentioned if how you look matters cycling isn't the sport for you.

Truer words have never been spoken.

If it's good enough for Marco...

uh-oh, I've been outed!!

Seriously, stop wearing bandanas. Just tryin' to help some brothers out.

My search for bandanas here was to see if anyone had recommendations for a good breathable face shield. I have what is called a "tubular bandana" (a sleeve of stretchable material) that I use for fishing for sun protection, but when I cycle hard it doesn't seem to let air pass through it as much as I'd like. I was on a an evening ride along Sacramento's American River last night and was getting pelted by bugs at 20mph. Any suggestions?

Yeah I was totally thinking about him !

I think the fact that pros didn't necessary wear helmets back in the days made people wear bandanas or small hats

I always wear one. Can't stand to have sweat getting in my eyes.

I have learned that even with a full head of thick, healthy hair, one can sunburn one's scalp. The first couple full days in the sun after a long period in the winter cave can lead to some interesting discomfort.

Otherwise ... unless you are me, with my indigenous, inimitable, and inherently perfect natural sense of style ... you will Always be lacking, so stop worrying about it.