This is a photo from a ride when it wasn't snowing at all (sorry about the open-mouth shot... I couldn't breathe through my nose at that point). That's just frosty build-up on my face from my breath. Sometimes it's amazing to see all that sticks to you when you're riding in the cold. I have no scientific proof, but I think the beard helps keep me warm. Those ice flakes would be resting on my skin if I were clean shaven. Perhaps it makes it worse. I suppose the beard could just be giving that cold moist air a place to land instead of floating away into the oblivion. I'm not sure.
But the beard is here to stay. I'm no mountain man... and I certainly don't do it for the fashion. I have a beard because razors are expensive and I'm lazy. But I'll cash it in as a benefit for winter cycling.
Get out there.
"But the beard is here to stay. I'm no mountain man... and I certainly don't do it for the fashion. I have a beard because razors are expensive and I'm lazy."
ReplyDeleteNice... same here.
I just want to say that I never wear a balaclava, can't stand balaclava's, and I ride in some of the coldest weather in the lower 48 states. That reminds me. I need to throw out those two balaclava's I have that I never wear.
ReplyDelete@ Chris - Are you bearded?
ReplyDelete@ Doug - I just dont understand how you do that! One day I forgot my face a head protection and it hurt the whole way home. You have a face of steel.
I wear a neck gaitor and occasionally pull it up to cover my face. Even with a -30 windchill, you have 20 minutes before skin freezes. So I pull up the neck gaitor every 19 minutes or so to prevent frostbite.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I rode to work with just a earband and neck gaitor. The windchill was only -7 though.
@ Doug - "only -7" Yikes!
ReplyDelete