For winter riders who are able, a beard is an excellent aid to keeping the sharp wind off your face. I usually grow one in the winter.

But I didn't last winter and now I'm thinking I won't again this winter. Despite the fashion for "pandemic beards", beards interfere with the hygienic functions of face masks.* I know people are still arguing about face masks in general (please, not here, take it to P&R) and I know a lot of people who seem pretty serious about face masks but don't seem perturbed by potential reduction in efficacy that a beard brings on. But I'm on the cautious side.

But, alas, it seems I'll go another winter without one. It's a pity. I really like my winter beards.

*Regarding how this impacts me personally, I wear only N95 masks. Fig. 2 of the linked paper demonstrates why.