What is it about beards and Adventure Motorcycling™?
 

At home, admittedly, I can only be arsed shaving about once every ten days. But I never leave the house with a stupidly shaved beard. (I sometimes do 'em, then look in the mirror the next morning and think - "no way!")

But on this trip (17 months and counting) I reckon I've had at least 5 styoooopid beards, including a Lemmy, a borderline Fu-Manchu/Winnfield and a ridiculous goatee - I've got one right now in fact - and once (in Ecuador) I even shaved my head.

I know for a fact it's not just me. (yes, Oli, I'm referring to you).

So what gives?

Excellent diagram of beard styles here:
http://www.yeeeeee.com/wp-content/20...eardtypes1.jpg

its not just beards
 

its haircuts as well.

The freedom of being away from bosses or wives who might otherwise object to your "irresponsible" new appearance.

All part of the fun

I must be the site misfit here. :( :confused1:

I try to shave every day on the road, it just makes it that much easier to be treated as a respectable human being, rather than some hobo who looks like a threat.

Hmmm. Speaking as a hobo who looks like a threat, more or less.....it's been 35 years since I last shaved (in search of a job), and I don't know that it's interfered with much. More worth paying attention to is your attitude--about yourself, your journey, and the lands and people around you.

My $0.02

Mark

You seem to be afraid, very afraid. :thumbdown:

You should know that its the most handsome and manly blokes who have beards. If you shave too much as you do, you present the image of a pansy, and bearded blokes will continue to bed your women.

No, grow that beard, thus increasing your testosterone and sperm count. Be a rufty tufty real man, and stop cringing when you see a macho rider with a beard. :eek3:

It's also possible that your fear of beards is actually a fear of your crumbling masculinity; you should confront this or come out.:clap:
:smiliex:

My beard was a wonderful device for capturing anbd retaining all manner of small birds and airbourne insects for classification later that night.... not to mention a nutrious snack...

Also great for filtering suspicious "floaters" out of soup, and catching the snot from your nose, to prevent non-required bogey recycling.

Great for those midnight peckish moments after a night on the beer, a tasty morsel such as a peanut can be a nice pre-sleep snack

if it makes you feel any better ... while i tend to go a bit crazy with hair on the road, I still like to shave twice a week.

"...a beard don't make you a man"

- Withered Hand, Hard On.

Is "Withered Hand, Hard On" a song mate, or a description of your current physical state?

Actually - hold on - I don't want to know.

Truth!

I think I might even be nicer when I look like a tramp, cos I'm aware of the horror of my appearance.

Where you at Mark?

(It's Simon/Africa Twin/Antigua if the pieces haven't fallen into place)

I prefer to grow a mullet !!

http://api.ning.com/files/gkF2k60sIb...5tc/mullet.jpg

Don't judge me !!!!!

Hey, Simon! I'm in Buenos Aires collecting visas and mechanical upgrades on my way north--next, as currently conceived, will somehow involve Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and random other places. Possible options include courting any resoundingly drunk local women I happen to meet in bars owned by destitute Italians along the way. My tenants continue to make rent payments on time, so I'm planning a leisurely trip home sometime between July and September.

What about you....still on the road?

Mark

(from Dakar Motors, where we have just been informed that "There is no maid service here....")

Hey Mark

Yup, still on me way to Vancouver. My plan for the next 3 months is remarkably similar to your own, except it's in the Northern hemisphere. Should be home at the start of June. Not fair! Don't wanna stop.
In Farmington, New Mexico now. Quick siesta, then off to the Three Rivers over the road for a bellyful of booze.

oh, yes, matie boy, you wanna hold on...

ahem, sorry, drunken disillusionment with current affairs affected this post.