Movember With Team Fatty
I have never grown a moustache (or, as we will call it from here on out, a “mo.”). This is not because I am unable to grow a mo. I expect I am quite capable of such an act, for my facial hair –unlike the hair on the top of my head–has not receded in the slightest.
And it hasn’t gone gray, either. OK, maybe I’m starting to get the odd gray stubble on my chin, but my mo-growing zone remains luxuriously thick and dark.
Here, for example, is what I would have looked like with a mo when being photographed at the Austin LiveStrong Challenge with Lori — one of the people I met at the event:
Pretty dashing, I say. And I’m not the only one who would look great with a mo. Consider Kenny, whose mo would go just swimmingly with the flavasava he’s got going on below his lower lip:
It makes him look dangerous, no? Yes!
And I understand even a certain Lance is growing a mo this month.
Holy crap. I look exactly like Geraldo Rivera. When he’s not wearing his toupee, I mean.
I think the evidence is quite clear. It’s time to grow a mo. And for the month of Movember, I am going to. I will photograph myself and post my progress frequently, so you can see how it’s going.
And — if you’re a guy — I’d like you to join me and do the same. (And if you’re not a guy, or you’re a guy without the necessary facial capability, I’d like you to convince some other guy to grow a mo on your behalf.)
What Is Movember?
(For Movember.com’s own description of themselves, click here.) Movember is the month formerly known as November. During this month, men — manly men — grow mos as a way to call attention to themselves (hey, I’m just being honest here).
Then, when people ask you “Why are you growing a moustache?” — and they will ask you this question — you tell them about the cancers affecting men, and ask them to donate to your Mo donation page (the money will be channeled to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and to LiveStrong).
So really, a mo is kinda like wearing a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. But a lot more personal. And harder to remove. And it’s displayed a lot higher.
What Mo Will I Grow?
The great thing about growing a mo is that for the first week or more, you have time to ponder the question: “What shape will my mo take?”
And in fact I spent considerable time considering that exact question.
Until I saw Zombieland last weekend. And now I cannot personally imagine growing any other mo than the one Tallahassee had.
First photos coming next week. I am going to look so macho.
Join Up and Maybe Win a Mo T-Shirt or Necklace
So now, I’d like to ask you to join Team Fatty and grow a mo. It doesn’t cost anything to register, and you do not have to be a guy. Anyone can join the Movember movement.
I will ask you, as a member of Team Fatty’s Mo Brigade, to send me occasional photographs of your (or your surrogate’s) Mo-In-Progress. And I will post ones I like on the Blog.
At the end of the month, I will award Movember T-Shirts to the ten most awesome (as determined either by popular vote or by me — haven’t decided which yet) Mos in Team Fatty. They look like this:
Or, if you’re a woman who got someone else to grow an awesome mo, I’ve got ten of these to award, too:
Really, I simply cannot think of more incentivizing incentives. Go sign up now, and start growing your mo.
PS: I am all kinds of swamped at work and life right now, and I’m trying to get ready for a 3-day MTB weekend with the core team. Also, this whole week is supposed to have perfect “shorts and short sleeves” riding weather, and I’d be a fool to not take advantage of it.
So I’ll be back Tuesday. Unless the weather holds.
Comment by Weiland | 11.4.2009 | 8:36 am
Whenever I’ve brought up Movember with the wife she wasn’t too keen on the idea. In fact she had flat out told me no on at least 2 occasions. I didn’t want to bring it up for the third time because then I couldn’t fain ignorance to her disapproval. I’ve been secretly growing it since the official start date, 11/1. Just yesterday she confronted me and asked why I hadn’t shaved. I told her I hadn’t had time, which was true as I’ve been running late each morning since the time change as I can get in a ride on the trainer before work. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep it from her, she’s going to start demanding I get up earlier, shoot she might even set my clock ahead by 15 or 20 minutes, she’s crafty that way. If there is a boycott of certain activity I’m not sure I can take one for the team, so I’m in for now. I’m just getting a good base right now, something I can sculpt in a day or two, I’m open to direction: http://yfrog.com/e72rvj
Comment by Weiland | 11.4.2009 | 8:46 am
Shoot I forgot the link to my MoPage: http://us.movember.com/mospace/350800 Better drop some change in my can so I have some ammo when the wife catches on that I’m purposely growing facial hair…
http://us.movember.com/mospace/350800
Comment by yeagermeister | 11.4.2009 | 8:56 am
Already growin’ the mo’. I figured you’d have a Team Fatty Mo’ Team, so I’m glad I waited to join another or create one of my own!!
Comment by Isaac | 11.4.2009 | 9:02 am
My wife says I’m not allowed to grow a ’stache right now. She’s 38 weeks pregnant. Apparently, she doesn’t want to immortalize the mo in all of the baby pictures that will be taken over the next month or so, whenever the baby decides to be born… I guess I can kind of understand. Maybe next year.
Comment by Jeff S | 11.4.2009 | 9:11 am
I was going for full on No-shave-November. The real question remains: Can I transition to Movember from here? I think I can, but I’ll have to apologize in advance to everyone who has to look at me.
Comment by Rantwick | 11.4.2009 | 9:19 am
Can I start a Team Fatty Canada? I didn’t know if needed your blessing or something. I can’t join Team Fatty on my own because the US site only lists American States…
I used the Canadian site and searched for team names with Fatty and came up empty, and when I search International it redirects me to the US form where I can’t register!
Comment by Eric | 11.4.2009 | 9:23 am
The Mo began over the weekend for me and some of the guys in our office. I’ve biked for Team Fatty in Philly & Austin but had to join the office team (The Mo’sketeers). I still keep you posted on the progress.
Oh, and my wife hates it.
Comment by Rantwick | 11.4.2009 | 9:44 am
I see there’s a Team Fatty UK… Given how busy you are, I know there’s a good chance you won’t see my inquiries for several days, so I’m gonna go ahead and create Team Fatty Canada on the Movember site. Hope that’s OK!
Comment by Daniel | 11.4.2009 | 9:45 am
Both my wife and I aren’t super fond of my nose neighbor. She says I’ll cave and won’t be able to stand it. I think one day she’ll wake up look at me and not love me anymore. But, it’s only one month. Go Team Fatty!
Comment by Dave.B | 11.4.2009 | 9:47 am
Does it count as a moustache if there’s a beard under it?
http://peterboroughbeards.blogspot.com/
Comment by jilrubia | 11.4.2009 | 9:58 am
As a wife and female, can I just say: UGH and ICK!!! Maybe Oprah should have a Mo intervention show where men learn how to properly style and groom those suckers. Like taking facial shape and balance into account when choosing a style, instead of say, um, copying one from a character in a zombie movie. (No offense, Fatty. I’m sure yours will look just FINE!)
But it’s all in good fun and for a good cause, so have at it. Can’t wait to see all the photos!
Comment by Anthony D | 11.4.2009 | 10:05 am
Dave.B, if you look at the movember website they actually have “rules” that the moustache can not connect to your sideburns as that would constitute a beard, nor can it connect under your chin as that would be a goatee.
Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 11.4.2009 | 10:09 am
I’ve already started because I planned on doing No Shave November thing. If I just grow the flavasava does that count? It would take me a year to grow a scrawny Mo.
Comment by barry | 11.4.2009 | 10:45 am
Rudy Giuliani is that you?
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.4.2009 | 11:11 am
My kids still think I used to be a porn star because the wedding pictures reveal that I used to sport a mo’.
When they ask my wife about it, she says: “Yes, I hated it, but I was so in love with your Dad, I put up with it.”
A fairly ringing endorsement, actually.
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.4.2009 | 11:22 am
Just think how “Bad to the Bone” you would have looked with the Tallahassee mo’, Fatty.
http://www.fatcyclist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/img-0016.jpg
Comment by Rantwick | 11.4.2009 | 11:24 am
Calling all Canucks / friends of Fatty: I’ve started Team Fatty Canada, which Fatty emailed me was totally cool with him.
You can donate or join Team Fatty Canada at this Movember Canada link:
http://ca.movember.com/mospace/351944/
Comment by Fifth Column | 11.4.2009 | 11:28 am
Do I have to start from scratch like the site says? I’m already sporting a sweet ’stache and would hate to have to shave it.
Comment by AngieG | 11.4.2009 | 11:56 am
Good job Fatty!!! I agree that styling is important, but it sounds like I am in the minority as far as female facial hair appreciation.
I totally dig on a great mo. My husband has sported some form of facial hair since we’ve been together. So I think they look great.
As for Kenny’s soul patch, totally and completely my absolute favorite. Very, very sexy!!
Have fun with the core team! Can’t wait to see the photos. Ok GregC and MattC, lets see those Mo’s!!
Comment by Bill | 11.4.2009 | 12:45 pm
Am I the only one to catch on here? Fatty and Snob are both MIA for 1 week. Maybe Fatty is Snob and someone just e-mails him pictures from NYC to post on his UT based blog.
Possibly Snob is Fatty and has someone e-mails photo from UT to post on his NYC based blog.
Maybe Lance is both in the same and cannot admit it. He did ride at Leadville and are we certain he did not crash and just got pulled back to the front by his team – I mean the other riders there to help him win – I mean the other riders there competing.
Conspiracy!!!
No Mo for me. I look like Geraldo with a Mo and that is not a compliment!
Comment by MommyAmy | 11.4.2009 | 1:12 pm
I’m gonna ask my dad if he’ll grow one. He just had his prostate removed 9 months ago due to cancer. So far so good on his blood tests since then. :)
Comment by Greg Marshall | 11.4.2009 | 1:49 pm
Well, I went from a full beard to naked in the face in preparation for Movember.
I’ll just be growing it in free range until maybe the 15th or so. I’m trying to get my friends to donate/decide what form the moustache will take.
My wife was a little miffed, as I’ve had the beard for 8 or 9 years. It’s *her* beard, not mine.
Comment by Greg Marshall | 11.4.2009 | 1:50 pm
Oh, also joined Team Fatty Canada. Thanks Rantwick!
Comment by Boomer | 11.4.2009 | 1:51 pm
snidely whiplash lives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DoRightCast.JPG
Comment by VA Biker | 11.4.2009 | 1:59 pm
There’s gotta’ be a recumbent joke in there somewhere with all those moustaches.
Comment by judi | 11.4.2009 | 2:04 pm
testing testing 123.
Comment by tyler | 11.4.2009 | 2:39 pm
FATTY- if we are already on another team can we submit anyways and get those t-shirts (because my mo WILL be the best)
Comment by mike51robo | 11.4.2009 | 3:36 pm
shaved the beard last week. Mo growing strong.
Comment by Born 4Lycra | 11.4.2009 | 6:12 pm
Here in Oz they include the ladies. They are encouraged to not shave a patch of their legs just under the knee. Some get quite creative with the shape others just grow another map of Tassie (in joke for the OZ people here).While it sounds a bit funny it has taken off and proving quite popular and as it is just for the month like the blokes (in some cases) it is worth the embarassment.
Comment by Al | 11.4.2009 | 7:45 pm
Is it just me, or does that picture of Kenny look like the late Joe Zawinul?
http://www.zawinulonline.org/images/galleries/press_photos/Zawinul_Dialects.jpg
Comment by Tim | 11.4.2009 | 8:53 pm
This is great, now we can participate wherever we are.
Mo started a day late, but I figure if I can transfer some of my chest hair growing prowess to my face it’ll be alright.
Am I am exception my wife wanted me to grow a Movember Mo, all get her personal training/pilates client to donate..so I will continually be paraded in front of rooms of women (mostly) to show progress. Felt so good to get the first email with a donation!!
Comment by justrun | 11.4.2009 | 10:10 pm
Hahahahahahahaha!
Ha.
Go on with your bad mo self.
Comment by Jenny-Jenny | 11.4.2009 | 10:21 pm
Go go Mo! I can’t wait to watch real progress.
Comment by Jeff S. | 11.4.2009 | 11:01 pm
So I wake up this morning to a very giddy wife who demands I immediately go the Fat Cyclist website to see Eldon’s most recent post. As always, I immediately obey her request and find a photo of my wife of 24 years with a debonairly (is that a word) moustached (spell-check says that isn’t a word – I think it should be) Fat Cyclist. After the initial shock, I realized I was now officially the freakin’ spouse of an acquaintance of an “award-winning, beloved internet cycling superstar celebrity blogger” (the quotes could be replaced with two fingers of each hand in the air if this was a video post). When I was getting ready for my ride today I was concerned that my Oakley Jawbone glasses and Giro Atmos helmet (product placement intended – vendor swag gladly accepted) would not fit on my inflated head.
Seriously Eldon, it was great meeting you in Austin. Thanks for all that you have done for LAF.
Comment by Kevin H | 11.5.2009 | 2:03 am
Eldon,
Movember movement is awesome! Made me laugh after a long day!
Would like to do an article on you with Lee Benson of the Deseret News. Please email when you get back in town. We want to help get the Fat Cyclist additional publicity (as if you really need it).
Comment by Chris | 11.5.2009 | 6:18 am
Never been a fan of mos — but I’m yding to see you with a real one. I have to say though … I thought you looked good with a goatee … :)
Comment by Road Divit | 11.5.2009 | 8:08 am
The wifey can’t stand stubble, let alone a full blown
tickler. No kissing for 30 days – More time on the bike for me.
Comment by Erik | 11.5.2009 | 8:41 am
Is permanent facial hair a requirement for Team Fatty? Since it would seem a lot of us cyclists are losing our top hair, it has to go somewhere…
Comment by Michael in TN | 11.5.2009 | 10:04 am
Its Elden not Eldon.
Mo growing has started much to the dismay of the wife.
Comment by Chris Daguanno | 11.5.2009 | 10:08 am
What if I’m already quite hirsute? Can I just shave my beard and leave the Mo or do I need to start from scratch?
Comment by Chris | 11.5.2009 | 11:11 am
I’m in…
http://us.movember.com/mospace/374180
Comment by Wheels | 11.5.2009 | 2:54 pm
As I was scrolling down and could only see the top of Kenny’s head, I was looking forward to seeing who had been photoshopped to look like a conehead. Oops. Do helmets just kind of balance on that point?
Looking forward to seeing mo progress!
Comment by Beast Mom | 11.5.2009 | 3:19 pm
You are weird.
:) bm
Comment by Rick | 11.5.2009 | 8:08 pm
I am actually heading this up in Logan at Utah State University! We’ve got a bunch of people together to grow mo’s for the month. If anybody wants to donate to our team at Movember.com, just search for Utah State University and do so…my ’stache is looking pretty filthy
Comment by jenjen | 11.6.2009 | 1:14 am
I love it!
Can’t wait to see yours!
XOXO
Jen
Comment by Charisa | 11.6.2009 | 11:40 am
I hadn’t seen Lance’s Mo yet – very nice!!
Comment by Eric | 11.6.2009 | 4:18 pm
Great surprise in the mail today…Team Fatty 2010 jerseys have arrived!!!!
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.6.2009 | 7:11 pm
Fatty kit arrived! The white really makes the graphics pop. Glad the bibs are black though.
Comment by bubba seadog | 11.6.2009 | 8:10 pm
good luck to the new stached ones mine ive had for twenty years use some lanolin to keep down the itch its ok to twirl it once it gets a good start. water it daily and try not to cut your upper lip when you shave. and fight like susan!
Comment by BIG FISH | 11.6.2009 | 10:32 pm
Yes Elden I wish that I could participate in this movember extravaganza but my wife promised that if I did, I would no longer be permitted to play with the children .Just kidding I really can’t grow much of a stash but I will be looking forward to the festivity’s from here at the computer.
Comment by MattC | 11.7.2009 | 12:03 am
Fatty…I don’t know how you do it. Honestly…I am totally beat from months of fundraising for LiveStrong (for both SJ and then Austin). And I was SUCH small potatoes compared to many. And yet here you go again…you are flat out amazing…the lithium energizer bunny of goodness. Good luck to you and all the Movember crew..I sure wish you the best. I won’t be doing Movember with you tho…need a break (hope that doesn’t sound too selfish). And besides…if I were to even try, it would be more like “what the hay is that sad looking THING on your lip-vember”. Tho I might be able to get some $ donated to SHAVE IT OFF (like from my wife)…hmmm..might have to keep that in mind for 2010 LiveStrong.
Anyway…I ALSO had a nice little care package waiting from Mr. postman today. Woo-HOO!! I plan to give it a good test drive this weekend. Anybody out there sees a “Fatty” on Figureoa Mt. loop on Sun, give me a shout. Have a great weekend Fatty! And keep the rubber side down!
Comment by JSV | 11.7.2009 | 11:16 am
Just joined Team Fatty Canada!
“MO” Picture to follow!
JSV
Comment by DanO | 11.7.2009 | 12:03 pm
Tem Fatty 2010 jersey arrived yesterday.
It’s better than promised!
Kudos to you and the folks at twin six!
life is good
Comment by LK | 11.7.2009 | 12:05 pm
Very simply, my wife says, “NO.”
Comment by Erine | 11.7.2009 | 10:18 pm
I work with a gentleman who has started growing a ‘mo’. Unfortunately, the shadow of his nose, coupled with the color of his skin and the color of his hair, makes his full upper lip ‘mo’ look like a Hitler ’stache. Seriously.
If only I was a Greek woman, I could grow a mo for the contest. *sigh*
Comment by Dobovedo | 11.8.2009 | 12:13 am
just now catching up on this post. I’d grow a mo with ya, but I’ve had one since high school – roughly 25 years. I s’pose I could shave it off and start over.
Comment by Norman | 11.8.2009 | 1:03 pm
Hey Fatty –
As always, love your work. Question: When do the new jerseys ship? I am too fat for my old one.
Thank you
Norman
Comment by Lorie | 11.8.2009 | 2:56 pm
My surprise arrived on Thursday and because the weather is PERFECT today (after a month of rain!!!) I was able to go ride in it today! I LOVE IT! Fit is GREAT, look is AWESOME and I got to talk about Elden to the group I rode with today. Were your ears burning about 8:30 this morning?? My husband is so jealous……he has SERIOUS jersey envy!
Lorie
Comment by Michael | 11.8.2009 | 5:02 pm
Wow, good to see you doing Movember. Started my mo on schedule. I did it last year as well. Joined up to Team Fatty today!
Comment by Wes | 11.9.2009 | 10:35 pm
We, at work, call November “No Shave November”, which is gonna get a little gross and against sanitation rules considering we work in foodservice.
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[...] spare the before picture. Save for linking to this picture of a scary guy with a moustache during Mo-Vember. (It’s December now, so the ’stache is gone. It’s also never too late to donate, [...]