Backward cap conundrum

Triathlon Forum
1

Help me understand the backward baseball style cap worn backwards during run training and racing.

In races, it seems to be the extreme MOPer (yeah, I already registered extremeMOP.com, so don’t even go there) that sports the backward cap.
Is there an aerodynamic advantage that brings these normally BOPers to the MOP?

Or is it something that transcends athletics, achievement, dedicated training, etc? Is it a fashion statement?

Recently I have been seeing some wearing the cap sideways. Does the direction (right or left) indicate something?

Should the backward cap crew have their own race category?

Do cowboys ever wear their hats backwards during the bull riding event in the rodeo?

I heard a rumor that some wear it that way to keep the sun off the neck? Or is this a more sinister cover-up (yeah, we know that some of you rednecks actually dig triathlon, so come clean).

I also heard that hatstrap.com was trying to get free publicity. Any truth to this one?

2

I sometimes wear it backwards because wearing it the other way with sunglasses on bugs the hell out of me. No big conspiracy theory.

clm

3

i have my cap facing wherever the sun is coming from. so it means adjusting the position periodically throughout the race as necessary, whether it’s facing forward, backward or sideways. i consider myself FMOP. the cap is there to keep your face/neck cool so asthetics should never be a consideration.

4

Wear that hat at the wrong angle and you may have someone bust a cap in your ass - bitch.

http://www.itvs.org/wannabe/photos/gang1_ph.jpg

5

they’d have to be able to catch me first :wink:
.

6

Recently I have been seeing some wearing the cap sideways. Does the direction (right or left) indicate something?

Depends on the yaw angle wrt the wind, and if the bill is dimpled.

7

backwards visors are cool though, right??

8

I wear mine backwards in respect to Rocky the Squirrel.

9

When my hair is a bit longer I wear a hat backwards basically to keep my hair out of my face. Having it backward keeps my face cooler as well. Plus hats look better on me backwards. Cant comment on finish position and hats backwards, have never really noticed this. If you are correct in you theory that this is a MOP phenomenom perhaps this could be attibuted to FOPs having thier hats on forward to promote whatever it is on thier hat in attmpt to appease thier sponosor… or are attempting to make it look like they are in fact sponsored. who knows?

10

It is just another screwy fashion trend that will eventually run its course like it did in the 70’s when I used to wear my hat that way.

11

So then most folks at IM races are pretending to race for Timex - sweet. Good on Timex!

12

Shut up it was free hat and my girlfriend made me wear it b/c it matched my stupid orange shoes!!! lol!!!

13

P.S. you and your bike are the talk of the town…i wish I had five of those pink frames to sell to every chick…and two dudes in town who want one.

14

I wear orange shoes jack ass!

15

P.S. you and your bike are the talk of the town…i wish I had five of those pink frames to sell to every chick…and two dudes in town who want one.
Plus it rides awesome! I am sure that I will be on that frameset for 08 as well…and what is the name of the super hot chick at Placid Planet?

16

Backward visors are probably worthy of their own thread. Let’s keep this thread pure… :wink:

17

I just happen to like having the sideways “D” from the gap sunburned into my head. It makes a great conversation starter.

18

i never bring a cap just to wear it backwards. But if i’ve got the cap on already, and the wind’s blowing towards me and it’s not that sunny, i’ll flip it around.

19

I turn mine around if either/both of the following conditions are met:

  1. there is a strong headwind in my face (the hat feels like it’ll blow off if I don’t)
  2. the sun is hot and at my back

It’s about comfort, not fashion. If I were concerned with looks, I would have to give up running and triathlon altogether.

mm

20

They can say what they want but it’s a fashion statement like shaving the legs, matching helmet color to bike etc.