The Handlebar Club Forum

Hello all,
I am interested in some of the rituals, preparation, that go into getting ready for show. I have not been able to get to one but would like to soon, outside chance for Oregon in June. What do you do?

Thanks
DC

Nobody's a match for that little critter's stache! (avatar pic, of course)

I'll be interested in the responses. Good question to ask and certainly the right place to do so!

Sorry, no advice I can offer. Never been there, never done that.

Sorry for the "small chat non-post type reply".

I'm sure some vets will chime in and offer sound advice!

I can take a stab at it. Being properly dressed can be an advantage. Many competitors dress in costume-like outfits. Richard Jefferson (I believe thats his name, Gunner told me so if I recall it right - placed 2nd at the 2009 WBMC natural category - his outfit he said aided him in his placing...and his great stache didn't hurt either!!! He dressed as a Scottish keltsmen or something like that).

I plan on visiting Germany in 2013 and entering the WBMC. Mostly for fun and hopefully I can give a good showing. Don't know yet how I plan to dress - but I will work hard on my german. I hope the judges can appreciate my earnest attempt at speaking german!

Hope you get some good advice in here, Dentedcrown,... goodluck to you and most importantly have fun if and when competing!

Oregon in June 2010? Is that the North American Championships you speak of? BIG event indeed!

Its been a long while since we heard from you Dc. Did I read there's an image update forthcoming?

There appears to be at least three group activities that include brewery tours on the schedule for Oregon. So, I'd start training the elbow to hoist a few pints. More importantly, don't forget to stand a round or two for your mates from this Forum when it comes to your shout.

On a slightly more serious note. Go to enjoy the experience and camaraderie of like minded individuals. Since you're there anyway, may as well enter the category that suits your style. Just keep growing 'til you get there.

Dan - I left you a post and links in The Handle Bar. Beard Team USA hosts the Nationals in Oregon. The NABMC is hosted by the Whisker Club in Washington State. Beer is available at both events and good training for WBMC 2013 in Germany.

Hey Dan,
No biggie, but what I wrote was "Keith Jefferson" and that would be the name that applies to the person with that outstanding 'stache if someone were to search it out. All this being said, I am sure that Mr. Richard Jefferson (San Antonio Spurs) would look quite dashing in a handlebar...but, I wonder if it would affect his game. In any case, if one 'googles' Keith Jefferson's name some nice images come up.

Cheers, Jim

Curious if anyone here is attending the National Beard and Moustache Championships coming up in a couple weeks in Bend Oregon.

http://beardteamusa.org/nationals/

A recent pic, taken last weekend at the National Beard and Moustache Championship in Bend, OR. A link to the rest of the photos I took at the competition as well. Some really impressive moustaches, great beards too. Had the chance to meet a lot of famous/champion beards and 'taches, and some great chaps in general. Was a lot of fun!

Nat Beard & Moutache Championships: Slide Show

Hi Brian,

Great pics, thanks. My only gripe: these contests seem to celebrate the outlandish. Your mustache and beard combo is right up there with all of them, in my opinion, and, more refined to boot.

Cheers,

Bob

I agree with M'Bob. The moustache category was less traditional and more freestyle, by international standards. This was deliberate on the part of the USA Beard Team organising committee, as they did not want to be bound by the international rules. Hence, the majority of the winning 'tache whiskers came from the cheek area.

First off to MrHokum,
Thank you for the links! I enjoyed viewing them and I must say you also looked splendid. Very gentlemanly-like with a nice stylish-looking stache and beard!

Schnauzer,
The 1st place winner in the mustache category (I believe Larry McClure) looked great, but not a moustache by definition. Cheek hair dominated. I will protest that.. I do believe it was an attack on moustache growers in a subtle way by the Beard Club. Thankfully, the true moustache is represented according to the rules of the WBMC. Not trying to seem like a sourpuss. But a moustache is a moustache, and by strict definition cheek hair should not be allowed (which it isn't according to the official rules). Now, some handlebar club members past and present wear that style and I do think it looks great. It is acceptable by this long established club of which who am I to argue? (I dare not!). The HBC recognizes official WBMC rules when entering SERIOUS competition.

With that said, great looking moustaches, partial beards, and full beards this 2010 National championships. Well done to all who participated and attended..

Dan,

Well put.

Cheers,

Bob

Thank you, Bob.

My point, again, was while McClure's facial hair looked great and many HBC members past and present do have that style, by definition it is not all moustache hair. Thats why I used rather strong words (which I did not intend to attack the Beard Club). Its just that I feel they are fully aware that the winning stache would not qualify in official WBMC rules. We need all competitions to follow the same guidelines if we want to establish clarity. That fella and his fine facial hair style belonged in the partial beard category.

(Thanks, Allen. I think Nick looked good with the monacle and his style of dress and stache plus his trimmed beard)

I think some definitive diagrams using a basic line illustration of an average face are in order.

I second.

Bob

I third.

Link to some photos from this event.

Included is a head shot of the winning moustache, complete with its substantial contribution from the cheek areas. The organisers (BTUSA) kept it simple with only one moustache category, even a moustache with beard could enter. No constraints, anything goes and no international rules to adhere to. Hmmm...., reminds me of a certain 13 colonies seeking independence and contributing to the temporary madness of King George III - what what?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrongdude/ ... 446630@N21