Graspable Extremities Online
The Handlebar Moustache Club
The Handlebar Club News and Events of 2013

The Handlebar Club 2014 AGM is now in
Buxton, Derbyshire from 4-6 April

The Palace Hotel, Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6AG - Click to enlarge
The Palace Hotel, Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6AG from April 4 - 6 2014

The venue for The Handlebar Club's 2014 AGM weekend from 4th to 6th April will be this 150 year old Victorian edifice infused with much charm and history, The Palace Hotel in Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6AG.

Important booking information for this popular Members Event is in our Members Lounge, so please visit it and make your booking as soon as possible

Moustache Watch Video Views

Dog days at Kop Hill Climb 2013

Impressive car and impressive Moustaches - Ryan Pike and Allan Robinson cause a stir at Kop Hill Climb - Click to enlarge
Impressive car and impressive Moustaches
Ryan Pike and Allan Robinson cause a stir
at Kop Hill Climb - Please click/tap to enlarge

Members of The Handlebar Club usually cause a bit of a stir when out and about in public, and when tweed-clad Members Ryan Pike, Allan Robinson and Friend Bowser took a September day out in Buckinghamshire, it was no exception.

Ryan takes up the story,

“I and Allan Robinson went off to the Kop Hill Climb 2013 - an historic hill race near Princes Risborough, Bucks, in full club regalia, and had a splendid day fitting in with all the old vehicles.

“In fact, we became a bit of an attraction ourselves due to our moustaches.

“The kind owner of this wonderful Model T Ford (above), not only allowed us to sit in it and tinker around, but gave us a complimentary drive around the show ground.”

Click or tap on the picture to enlarge it

The Great British Beer Festival Meet

The Handlebar Club and The British Beard Club meet at The Great British Beer Festival
Members of HBC and TBBC met at GBBF
on Thursday August 15th

I was time to wet our whiskers again! Members of The Handlebar Club and The British Beard Club joined up at the Great British Beer Festival on Hat Night Thursday again this summer.

More pictures celebrating the evening to follow!

Twin Handlebabies make their début!

HandleTwins Etta and Percy were born to Jemma and Johnny King on 17th June
HandleTwins Etta and Percy were born to Jemma and Johnny King on 17th June

June is the ideal month for deliveries - of babies that is, and several of our members and their respective partners have been busy. Twins Etta and Percy King (above), were born to Jemma and Johnny on 17th June. All four of them are doing well!

Maybe in a few years Percy (and Etta too maybe?) will want to join Johnny in producing Mr King's Marvellous Moustache Wax... Oops! Not supposed to advertise things here, so here's a quick product 'review' instead, “I've used it myself, and it works.”
- Webmaster David

Watch out for a forthcoming picture of another new arrival, from Sarah and Paul Lewis...

Suits You, Sir!

We dare you to come to the June First Friday in one of these!
We dare you to come to the June
First Friday (7th) in one of these!

Can you resist the temptation to go for one of these fancy dress suits? Just the thing for the ‘tache about town! Atters? Johnny? Fingers?

Only £59.95 with free delivery from OppoSuits. Clink the link below for more information.

Pity they couldn't find a model with a Handlebar Moustache - should've asked us!

Turkey for Tourism and Transplants

Long for a Moustache like this? Come to Turkey! Photo: Saaleha Bamjee | Flickr
Longing for a Moustache like this? Take a Turkish Transplant 'n Shopping holiday!

The Wall Street Journal reports that “transplant packages” are being offered by travel agencies where you can have a facial-hair transplant operation and a shopping trip in Istanbul or laze afterwards at a beachside retreat on the Turkish coast. Photo: Saaleha Bamjee

Handlebar Club Tie in Helmand Action

Handlebar Club tie  in Helmand
Mark Brown's Handlebar Club tie
sees action in Helmand

Mark Brown, a member of the Armed Forces as well as of The Handlebar Club, sends “Regards from Helmand” with this photo of his Handlebar Member's Club tie right ‘in action’. Mark wonders if this the first time a Handlebar Club tie has been to war?

Graspable Extremities of 2012

Graspable Extremities of 2012
Graspable Extremities of 2012

Remember AGM 2012 at Yelf's? Who are Jackson, Fred and Leo? Who won the English Moustache British Championship title? In what event did Fingers and Conrad take to the saddle? Read all about what we did in 2012 HERE.

Gentlemen's Day at Sandown Park!
Our Movember Day At The Races

Our Movember Day At The Races

With the rain coming down and the conditions being soft underfoot the members of the Handlebar club started to assemble like the proverbial herd of cats at Sandown racecourse for Gentlemen's Day in support of Movember.

All being impeccably turned out, the team caused quite a stir and were immediately signed up for the 2.00pm Best Dressed Gentleman award... So until then it was into the venue to sample the fine ale on tap from The Hog's Back Brewery, devour tasty salt beef sandwiches and study the form.

Bets were placed, shirts were lost and no fortunes were made... well - if anybody did they didn't let on!

Some of the Best-Dressed Handlebar Club members at Sandown Park Gentlemen's Day - Click to enlarge
Some of the Best-Dressed Handlebar Club members at Sandown Park
Gentlemen's Day - Click to enlarge

Then at two o'clock it was out of the starting gate and a gallop down to the parade ring to enter the Best Dressed Gentleman competition, with success for the Handlebar Club with 2nd place going to Allan Robinson and 1st place awarded to Fingers Copson, finally laying the Stuttgart “Sechs Comma Fünf” ghost to rest...

On a high, the team turned their attention back to the racing and beer. The racing was close and exciting, if a little off-the-pace due to the soggy conditions and a fine time was had by all.

The Event was attended by Conrad Amis, Alan & Susan Spencer, Allan Robinson, Fingers Copson, Angela Belfield, Alex Coleman and Neil Copson

Handlebar Club Members with a Keith Lemon look-alike at Gentlemen's Day for Movember
The official photo: Handlebar Club Members
with a Keith Lemon look-alike at
Gentlemen's Day for Movember
Click to enlarge

Here's the official photo and release highlight by Sandown Racecourse. Click the link below to download and read their accompanying PDF press release.

BBC News: Pakistani man defies extremist demands over his moustache

Click the picture to view the BBC News report
Click the picture to view
the BBC News ASIA report

BBC News ASIA recently reported that for many men, particularly in Pakistan, the Moustache is a symbol of virility and strength:

“Malik Afridi is a Pakistani businessman who extremists have tried to kill - all because of his eye-catching facial hair.

“So why is he prepared to risk everything for his extraordinary moustache?

“Charles Haviland reports.”

Click the picture above to view the BBC News item

Another Very Special Baby Arrives!

Wynnifred Violet Lewis was born to Sarah and Paul on 26th June
Wynnifred Violet Lewis was born to
Sarah and Paul on 26th June 2013

A birth is always special, and Wynnifred Violet Lewis arrived at 10.05am on Wednesday, June 26 2013, weighing 7lbs, to Sarah and Paul Lewis. All of them are doing well too!

Sarah assures us that Paul is sporting muttonchops here and not - never, a beard.

Allan wins “Best Gent's 'Tache” award

Allan Robinson at the 3rd Velo Vintage occasion & ride in Exmouth on the 15th June 2013
Allan Robinson at the 3rd Velo Vintage occasion & ride in Exmouth on 15 June 2013.

Allan Robinson reports on his Vintage Velocipedal Occasion around Exmouth, East Devon in June, sporting his maroon Handlebar Club Tie throughout.

“This was a wonderful event organised by Alistair and Sebastian Cope. Starting in the strand we set off at a leisurely pace along the sea front, back through the town and then followed the estuary cycle path to our first stop at The Swan for a much needed ale and some smashing cheddar and pork pies supplied by the generous hosts.

“Once refreshed we struck out to tackle the climb up to the National Trust's A La Ronde for fortifying cream teas and an admiration of the surrounding views.

“It was then a downhill ride back into Exmouth to the strand for a rewarding pint of ale and BBQ with live music. The fantastic day was rounded off by being presented with the “Best Gent's 'Tache” award at the raffle and competition prize giving. The raffle raised over £400 pounds for Alistair & Sebastian's chosen charity Headway Devon.”

The BBMC 2012 On-line Memorabilia Shop is open!

Visit the BBMC 2012 Memorabilia On-line shop now!
British Beard & Moustache Championships 2012
On-line Memorabilia Shop

At last you can get hold of some permanent reminders of that marvellous and memorable day of follicular fun at The British Beard and Moustache Championships on September 15th 2012 in Brighton, Sussex, UK.

Memorabilia items feature the brilliant BBMC 2012 poster design or the BBMC 2012 logo, and include the illustrated Acrylic and Metal Bottle Opener/Key Ring, the Acrylic Key Fob and Ring, the BBMC 2012 Pin Badge, the A3 Souvenir Poster in full colour on quality paper and the 'Poster' design White T-Shirt.

Prices including postage are shown with each item. Choose your postage destination and T-shirt size before you 'Add to Cart'.

The PayPal Shopping Cart system is easy and convenient to use, and you do not need to have a PayPal account to make on-line purchases with your Credit or Debit card. You can order small items together with other large items such as a Mug, Poster or T-Shirt, and save on postage charges by choosing the 'With larger items' option.

From the Handlebar Club Forum

Today's new style: squiggly.
Today's new style: squiggly.

EricJT is regular and prolific poster on our Forum. For the Squiggly, Eric used Got2b glued. He says,

“I wore that squiggly into an OfficeMax and the cashier had a hard time not laughing. He asked me if it was part of a costume for something. I like it, but it may not be socially wise to wear it that way. If only I lived in a cartoon world...”

Eric is a master of Moustache Styling with Unfamilar Substances - notably glue stick and other agglomerations. You'll have to look at some of his Forum posts to find out how to visit his busy Blog!

Return of Movember
Generation Mo

The Handlebar Club's Movember Moments - doing our part

The Handlebar Club are proud to continue our longstanding whiskery support for the excellent charity Movember, which as you may know is responsible for the multitude of fine moustaches now appearing around the world.

Growing their “Mo’s” across the whole of November, men raise vital funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer and mental health, globally raising over £92 million in 2012.

We will be doing our part as well, helping out with judging, grooming tips and advice across the whole month, and reminding participants that no matter how self-conscious they may feel, they still won’t look as ridiculous as we do...

Anyway, if you haven’t signed up to this fine cause yet, head to uk.movember.com and get ready to Mo. Good luck!

President Rod Littlewood and member Conrad Amis at the launch of Movember at Coco on Camden High Street - Click to enlarge
President Rod Littlewood and member Conrad Amis at the launch of Movember
at Coco on Camden High Street
Click to enlarge

Handlebar Club President Rod Littlewood and (strangely intense) member Conrad Amis attended the official launch of Movember recently at Coco on Camden High Street, London.

Old acquaintances were renewed and a fine time was had by all as the Movember team briefed everyone on the plan to better the amazing results of last year's worthwhile campaign for men's health.

Alan Spencer Takes Up The Challenge

Allan takes the Pith, and Alan wears THAT jacket!
Allan Robinson takes the Pith,
and Alan Spencer wears THAT jacket!
Click to enlarge

Sartorial splendour was the order of the day at the July First Friday meet at The Windsor Castle, Crawford Place, London. Having thrown out the Opposuits challenge in column 1 a month or so ago, Alan Spencer from Southamption, already famous for his wonderful waistcoats, was the one not to be outdone, and donned the Opposuits jacket for our amazement.

A casual Facebook suggestion that members might appear at this FF in Pith helmets resulted in an astonishing array of Pith Artists, and some of them wore Pith Helmets...

The First Friday Pith Artists Club - Click to enlarge
The First Friday Pith Artists Club
Click to enlarge

We have one more photo to show you from that July First Friday. If you walk up the Edgeware Road from Marble Arch to Crawford Place, you can't fail to notice the lines of distinguished gentlemen indulging in an aromatic and peaceful pastime. Here are two more-familar faces doing just that.

Martin and Tom share a Hookah
Martin and Tom share a Hookah
Click to enlarge

Handlebars around London

Nightrider Conrad Amis - on a crusade to raise money for The National Autistic Society - Click to enlarge
Nightrider Conrad Amis
on a cycle crusade raising money for
The National Autistic Society

Handlebar Club member Conrad Amis recently participated in the annual ‘Nightrider’ London charity cycle ride. The route covered 100km around London (that’s 63 miles in old money) and took in parts of the capital from Crystal Palace to Alexandra Palace and Swiss Cottage to Greenwich. It also included Spaniard’s Road at the top of Hampstead Heath, which our man claims to be the highest point between the Urals and the Rockies.

The elite team of cyclists, led by colleague Fat Jolly Chris, would like to thank everyone, including the Handlebar Club itself, for all of the kind sponsorship and are proud to have raised over £600 for The National Autistic Society.

Starting at midnight on the Saturday and finishing the next morning an exhausted Conrad told us, “I’ve never had to cycle past so many pubs - it was heart-breaking.”

All Hail Handlebars
of The Brothers Theriault!

Triumphantly Moustached - The Brothers Theriault L to R: Aaron, Bryan and Mark - Click to enlarge
Triumphantly Handlebar Moustached
The Brothers Theriault
L to R: Aaron, Bryan and Mark

The Theriault Brothers, Aaron, Bryan and Mark are on their way from from Grand Rapids, Michigan in the United States to London, triumphantly moustached and eminently graspable. They are keen to join The Handlebar Club during their three-day visit to London and look forward to meeting some Club members while they are over here.

Bryan Theriault says,

“We will be vacationing in London on Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th of this month. We have met the requirements to attain ‘an hirsute appendage of the upper lip with graspable extremities’.

“We would be very pleased to make the acquaintance of any members who would be available for a pint (or three) on any of the days we are in town.”

If you would like to meet them at The Windsor Castle and welcome the boys to the delights of Membership of The Handlebar Club on one of three days they're in town next week, please get in contact soon with the Theriault Brothers through Mark's Facebook page.

Finnish Friday - The President presents The Marshal

Helsinki University Moustache Club President, Alex presents Handlebar Club Scribe Tom Cutler with an archive photo of Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim - Click to enlarge
Alex presents the Club with a photo of
Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim

On Friday 10 May a group of impossibly young-looking 4th-year history undergraduates from Helsinki University joined regulars at the Windsor Castle pub in Paddington for a special Meet-the-Finns session. They were all members of the History department’s student moustache club, whose leader Alex presented the Handlebar Club with a delightful historic photograph of Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, the moustachioed sometime Marshal and President of Finland in full regalia (the Marshal was in the regalia, not Alex).

Several regulars were in attendance and the committee was represented by our own Alex and Tom Cutler – the Despicable Parsons still had his nose to the grindstone. Sandwiches were rolled out and Tom was able to explain to the visitors what exactly is inside a mini Scotch egg. They didn’t believe him.

The evening culminated in a rousing rendition - on the street - of Rule Britannia, bellowed out by the Finns in impeccable English. Then we spent the usual 20 minutes trying to get a picture taken (see above - click to enlarge). What a charming bunch of young chaps, and a lovely young lady too.