Southern Maine triathlete’s beard makes Bicycling.com’s final cut among elite cyclists

It takes a lot to compete head-to-head with world-class cyclists. Athleticism, talent, dedication and a driving will to win. All North Berwick triathlete Vinny Johnson had to do was not shave.

http://www.bicycling.com/news/best-beards-cycling/vinny-johnson

With his full beard and winning ways, Johnson has been ranked as having one of the eight  “Best Beards in Cycling” by Bicycling.com.

The professional Ironman triathlete — meaning he actually earns money placing in the grueling events in which competitors swim 2.4 miles, bicycle 112 miles and then run 26.2 miles — joins fellow whiskered cyclists Team Europcar member Dan Craven, U.S. Olympian Kelly Benefit, Team Katusha and Giro d’Italia stage winner Luca Paolini and Tour de France winner Brad Wiggins on Bicycling’s list.

Johnson, who teaches anatomy and physiology at Marshwood High School in South Berwick, said he submitted a photo of his bearded self riding his bike to Bicycling.com after a friend sent him a link to the site.

“I thought, ‘I can beat those guys,'” Johnson said laughing. “I knew my beard could take them.”

Bicycling obviously agreed, commenting, “The Maine high school teacher, triathlete, and coach has an impressive beard, as well as remarkable helmet-jacket matching skills.”

In his photo, Johnson is sporting a bright green and black helmet with an equally bright green and black jersey.

In a racing world populated by slim, smooth and clean-shaven cyclists, Johnson and his beard stand out.

“I’m kind of the more rugged type,” he said. “Some say the beard might be a hinderance, but then I get people looking at me and saying, ‘how does someone who looks like that go so fast?'”

The 40-year-old Johnson said his “very white” beard often gets him confused with athletes much older.

“One time I almost beat this guy and he passed me right at the finish line,” he said. “Later I saw a comment he’d written that there was no way he was going to get beaten by a bearded teacher from Maine.”

Johnson said the beard did come off for Christmas, but he’s in the process of growing it back out now and is getting a kick out of being on the same list with major cycling tour champions.

“Yeah, I can’t necessarily beat them in a cycling race, but I can sure take them with a beard,” he said.

 

Julia Bayly

About Julia Bayly

Currently reporter/photographer Bangor Daily News with regular bi-weekly column. Freelance travel writer/photographer since 2000.