The chevron, the handlebar, the dali, the fu manchu, the walrus….the variations are endless. The first winner of the Tour de France was Maurice-François Garin who sported both a moustache handlebar as well as a handlebar moustache. One of the legends of the moustache in cycling is Lucien Petit-Breton, the first cyclist to win two Tours (in 1907 and 1908). Back in the 1900’s the Handlebar and the Walrus were popular choices by the cyclists. Both are certified by the American Moustache Institute but the Handlebar has since been found to be performance enhancing and has been banned by the UCI.
In the 70’s and 80’s, the Chevron was the weapon of choice by the likes of Aussies greats such as Don Allan, Danny Clark and Michael Wilson. The Moustache World Championships are held every November in Las Vegas and if either of these guys wanted the title, it would only take them three days of growth and they’d easily raise enough money to cure cancer.
Skipping ahead to 2012, here are the brave Movember Pros who are raising money and awareness for men’s cancer and health issues as well as links to their donation pages. Good on ya fellas. There are still ten days left, so it’s not to late to leave a donation.
Danny Clarke and Don Allan
2012 Movember Pro’Staches
Koen has cultivated a nicely groomed Horseshoe 'stache and if he keeps it up until the Tour Down Under it could be a fully-fledged and certified Fu Manchu. Rating 4 out of 5 Mo's
Hendo has gone for the Chevron this Movember and has somhow sprouted an Afro. Definitely 5 out of 5 Mo's
Andre Greipel has a legs like a gorilla and I trust his Mo will come into form by the end of Movember. Anyone else would get a 2 out of 5 Mo's rating, but Greipel gets a 5 just for being Greipel.
Leigh Howard has committed to the Horseshoe and looks identical to Chopper Ried this Movember. He's even grown Mo's for eyebrows. This deserves a 6 out of 5 Mo's
Perko is even joining in all the way over in Japan. Can't beat a good Track'stache. 5 out of 5.
Sucks to be Dutch when trying to grow a Mo. I can only give this 3 out of 5 Mo's, but an A for effort
Michel Kreder is sporting the pubestache this Movember, but does it with such confidence I'll award a 4 out of 5 Mo's.
Dr. Mitch is a pro triathlete but can ride a bike better than 94% of us, so he qualifies to be in this post. "If loving this mo is wrong, I don't wannna be right!" I rate this 4 out of 5 Mo's
Kevin Costner has since retired from cycling, but no moustache post is complete without his mention.