I get so many questions and comments about my cycling hat. It provides excellent sun protection for cycle touring.
I have recently realized there’s an extra benefit: protection from swooping magpies! It’s very difficult for a magpie to get at your eyes or ears when you are wearing this bike helmet hat!
The bike helmet sits on top of the hat brim, with slits for the straps to go through
Make a Cycling Hat of your own!
To make a bike helmet brim of your own, just follow these simple steps:
Step One: Get a reasonably sturdy straw hat that fits your head snugly.
Step Two: Cut off the crown of the hat above the band, as shown below.
Step Three: Using a Stanley Knife, cut two slits from the middle of the band on each side towards the back. These slits are to allow the bike helmet straps through. It’s best to start with a small cut. You can always extend the strap hole later.
At this stage, try your cycling hat out, adjusting the slits as necessary.
Step Four (optional): To make the bike helmet brim waterproof, paint it with fibreglass resin (two coats). My first two versions of this hat lasted nearly two years, even without the resin, but my current version (with the waterproofing) seems just about indestructible!
Step Five: Care for your bike helmet brim by keeping it flat when not in use.
You’re ready to try it out!
This cycling hat (which perhaps would be more accurately described as a bike helmet brim) is not, however, recommended for road bike riding when you might be going downhill fast. In this situation, the wind can catch under the brim and tends to push the helmet backwards off your head.
However, for my usual, everyday rides, this hat is fantastic and I wouldn’t be without it.
Sun Protection
I still use sunscreen, even with my cycling hat.
Cycling is an activity that does lead to considerable exposure to the damaging effects of the sun’s rays.
The main thing is, whether you want to wear an UnCool hat like mine or not, don’t forget to take some measures to protect your skin.
Happy cycling!
