Cycling is a hobby that got quite out of hand. I’m still passionate about it, because I’m extremely thankful to have the chance to ride and train every day. My cycling story started on a mountain bike, when I was 12 years old. I only did a few races and little training back then. That summer I was watching the Tour de France that Jan Ullrich won. The heroic battles on bikes captivated me. From then on I wanted to become a pro myself. I joined a club in Berlin when I was 15 and started road cycling. Therefore, winning a stage in the Tour de France 2015 was like a childhood dream come true. I’ll never forget that moment.
The press asks me at least one question about my beard in every interview and fans recognise me much faster in the bunch. Even my own parents told me it’s much easier to spot me on tv now. Too bad a beard isn’t as warm as you would think (grin) because I’m never good in handling cold and wet weather. I feel most comfortable in warm and sunny conditions. Insects are not as much a problem as the sticky gels in the race are. Nevertheless, the beard is here to stay.
After a winter of taking spinning classes several times a week, it just didn’t satisfy me anymore. I wanted to get out there. So that’s when I bought my first race bike about 5 years ago, and it was the best decision ever. Cycling opens my heart and empties my mind. When I’m on my bike, “now” is the only thing that counts. I enjoy my solo rides, but in the end, nothing beats a long, challenging group ride on a sunny day. Coffee and drinks afterwards. A well deserved dinner with cycling friends and a few bottles of wine. Perfect day.
People often act surprised I’m such a bike fanatic, especially since my husband doesn’t cycle at all. I love him to bits for understanding my passion and allowing me the freedom to practice it. I ride mostly with men, but I don’t mind that. They make me step out of my comfort zone, yet take very good care of me. It makes me stronger.
When I was younger, I used to dream of being a flower girl in a big race. Unfortunately, my legs are too chunky. And the tan lines on my legs are always present, so it would just look silly. They do fade in winter, but they never actually go away.
Cycles for 20 hours a week and 30,000 km a year.
Favorite set-up: Riding in a small group, a breakaway for example. I also like hilly profiles, short and steep climbs suit my qualities.
Favorite road/route: I live in a very nice area in the south of Germany, the Black Forest. Training there is what I enjoy the most. I enjoy being on roads I know very well.
Favorite cyclist: My childhood hero was Jan Ullrich. Now, I have huge respect for Peter Sagan. This guy can do almost anything on a bike.
Best bike stuff: Giant TCR. I love the electronic shifting on it plus the bike is very good to handle.
I’ve been riding it for 3 years now and it feels like „home“ when i’m sitting on it.
Funny cycling fact: Pro cyclists probably see more naked cyclists than naked women. Oh and I really hate shaving my legs.
Cycles for 10 hours a week and 11,000 km a year.
My bike: S-Works Tarmac, it fits me perfectly and gives me wings.
Favorite set-up: Blue skies and sunny days with a light breeze. I prefer hills and mountains over a flat ride. Yet not too steep for too long please, I’m just not built for that.
Favorite road/route: In Belgium: the Flemish Ardennes and Pays des Collines, which are right at my back door. Abroad: the Italian Alps and Dolomites, plus the surroundings of Girona in Spain.
Favorite cyclist: My all-time favourite is Tony Martin. He’s dedicated, a speed bullet pur sang and yet a very kind man. It’s always a pleasure to see him race. Although I’m quite sure he’ll never grow a beard for aero reasons.
Special bike moment: Summer 2015, a blue Monday, riding the Sella Ronda in the Dolomites while on a solo bike trip. It was the most glorious day: early morning, empty roads and breathtaking views. Goosebumps!
Funny cycling fact: It’s my husband who asks me about the cycling stats, teams, transfers etc. Not the other way around.
Beard owner since 2013. Just because I liked the look. Since then it became ‘my special thing’ in cycling.
Special beard bro: Luca Paolini and me had some good laughs in the bunch now and then. He always came up to me saying „Ciao Barba“. He got suspended for the right reasons, but sometimes I miss my first beard bro in the bunch.
Favorite beard: Ricki Hall is an inspiration, he has a great beard. And he even heard me talking about him in an interview during the Tour de France and texted me. That was cool.
Favorite barber: The Barbershop in the Tour de France village is great. It’s perfect to have a beard trim done during a race. That gives me more free time at home. When I’m back home I go to a local barbershop in Freiburg called „The Heritage“. I get a trim every 4 weeks.
Badass beard friends: The german Velo Club Guilty76 riders are coming to many races and are great supporters.
Bearded boyfriend owner since 2009.
Favorite beard: Of course I have to say my husband. But Simon comes a very close second, along with Luca Paolini. Because they are (were) pro cyclists and because I love cycling. Simple.
Cycling is a hobby that got quite out of hand. I’m still passionate about it, because I’m extremely thankful to have the chance to ride and train every day. My cycling story started on a mountain bike, when I was 12 years old. I only did a few races and little training back then. That summer I was watching the Tour de France that Jan Ullrich won. The heroic battles on bikes captivated me. From then on I wanted to become a pro myself. I joined a club in Berlin when I was 15 and started road cycling. Therefore, winning a stage in the Tour de France 2015 was like a childhood dream come true. I’ll never forget that moment.
The press asks me at least one question about my beard in every interview and fans recognise me much faster in the bunch. Even my own parents told me it’s much easier to spot me on tv now. Too bad a beard isn’t as warm as you would think (grin) because I’m never good in handling cold and wet weather. I feel most comfortable in warm and sunny conditions. Insects are not as much a problem as the sticky gels in the race are. Nevertheless, the beard is here to stay.
After a winter of taking spinning classes several times a week, it just didn’t satisfy me anymore. I wanted to get out there. So that’s when I bought my first race bike about 5 years ago, and it was the best decision ever. Cycling opens my heart and empties my mind. When I’m on my bike, “now” is the only thing that counts. I enjoy my solo rides, but in the end, nothing beats a long, challenging group ride on a sunny day. Coffee and drinks afterwards. A well deserved dinner with cycling friends and a few bottles of wine. Perfect day.
People often act surprised I’m such a bike fanatic, especially since my husband doesn’t cycle at all. I love him to bits for understanding my passion and allowing me the freedom to practice it. I ride mostly with men, but I don’t mind that. They make me step out of my comfort zone, yet take very good care of me. It makes me stronger.
When I was younger, I used to dream of being a flower girl in a big race. Unfortunately, my legs are too chunky. And the tan lines on my legs are always present, so it would just look silly. They do fade in winter, but they never actually go away.
Cycles for 20 hours a week and 30,000 km a year.
Favorite set-up: Riding in a small group, a breakaway for example. I also like hilly profiles, short and steep climbs suit my qualities.
Favorite road/route: I live in a very nice area in the south of Germany, the Black Forest. Training there is what I enjoy the most. I enjoy being on roads I know very well.
Favorite cyclist: My childhood hero was Jan Ullrich. Now, I have huge respect for Peter Sagan. This guy can do almost anything on a bike.
Best bike stuff: Giant TCR. I love the electronic shifting on it plus the bike is very good to handle.
I’ve been riding it for 3 years now and it feels like „home“ when i’m sitting on it.
Funny cycling fact: Pro cyclists probably see more naked cyclists than naked women. Oh and I really hate shaving my legs.
Cycles for 10 hours a week and 11,000 km a year.
My bike: S-Works Tarmac, it fits me perfectly and gives me wings.
Favorite set-up: Blue skies and sunny days with a light breeze. I prefer hills and mountains over a flat ride. Yet not too steep for too long please, I’m just not built for that.
Favorite road/route: In Belgium: the Flemish Ardennes and Pays des Collines, which are right at my back door. Abroad: the Italian Alps and Dolomites, plus the surroundings of Girona in Spain.
Favorite cyclist: My all-time favourite is Tony Martin. He’s dedicated, a speed bullet pur sang and yet a very kind man. It’s always a pleasure to see him race. Although I’m quite sure he’ll never grow a beard for aero reasons.
Special bike moment: Summer 2015, a blue Monday, riding the Sella Ronda in the Dolomites while on a solo bike trip. It was the most glorious day: early morning, empty roads and breathtaking views. Goosebumps!
Funny cycling fact: It’s my husband who asks me about the cycling stats, teams, transfers etc. Not the other way around.
Beard owner since 2013. Just because I liked the look. Since then it became ‘my special thing’ in cycling.
Special beard bro: Luca Paolini and me had some good laughs in the bunch now and then. He always came up to me saying „Ciao Barba“. He got suspended for the right reasons, but sometimes I miss my first beard bro in the bunch.
Favorite beard: Ricki Hall is an inspiration, he has a great beard. And he even heard me talking about him in an interview during the Tour de France and texted me. That was cool.
Favorite barber: The Barbershop in the Tour de France village is great. It’s perfect to have a beard trim done during a race. That gives me more free time at home. When I’m back home I go to a local barbershop in Freiburg called „The Heritage“. I get a trim every 4 weeks.
Badass beard friends: The german Velo Club Guilty76 riders are coming to many races and are great supporters.
Bearded boyfriend owner since 2009.
Favorite beard: Of course I have to say my husband. But Simon comes a very close second, along with Luca Paolini. Because they are (were) pro cyclists and because I love cycling. Simple.
In fact, it was Charlotte’s bearded husband who came up with the idea of creating a beard balm herself. As a beard owner for several years, he knows the importance of keeping it well maintained to prevent looking “I’m just too lazy to shave it off”. So using her background as a chemist, Charlotte started experimenting with different textures and smells, using her husband and some bearded friends as test cases.
That’s how the balm got crafted between the hills and cobbles of East-Flanders. Within spitting distance from the Old Kwaremont
Being a true cycling fanatic, the arrival of the Eneco Tour in Geraardsbergen was the perfect opportunity to congratulate Simon on his stage win in the Tour de France a month earlier. She gave him a sample of her home-made beard balm as a victory gift, but never thought that action would be the start of a dream coming true: uniting the two things that define her most – cycling and chemistry/pharmacy.