Road Cycling - Shaved Legs???

Why do you hardcore cyclists shave your legs? To be more aero-dynamic? So you don't get dirt/grime on your leg hair? To look sexy for the ladies? Why?

And if I were to shave my legs, would I be giving up part of my man hood?:D

I was wondering which thread is the most repeated on Bikeforums? Shaving legs may be a front runner. Joe?

"Shaved Legs" and the other thread... "Help!" tie for #1, "What ike to buy" comes in a close 2nd :lol:

RoAdRaGeR, You may want to search the forums for more info on why we shave... You may want to stop shaving a few inches above your short line if your worried about loosing part of your manhood! :roflmao:

:roflmao: Very funny

riders shave their legs as motivation. if your legs are shaved, and the sole reason is to show off your definition.....then you'd better have definition.

I admit it, I don't shave...call me a Squirrel!!

I think im going to go ahead for the full body shave. If you shave your legs, then you should shave the rest of your body too! ;)

Shave everything? Yeah, then you can be REALLY gay. Actually, bikers shave their legs and arms so that if and when they crash, wounds can be wrapped up with tape with no worries about taking the tape off later with a bunch of hair.

yowza

Mike is correct. They shave so when they crash its
1. easier to fix it up
2. easier to take it off.

Hairlessness also helps on the massage table too. Bicycling magazine says we shave jsut to be cool. But Bicycling is a magazine for fat cats who buy pro racing gear and can't ride a century. By reading in the fat cat cyclists' bible that shaving is only for being cool, the fat cat then feels better about NOT shaving(he doesn't want to appear ****!!! No way!!!) , OR goes and shaves so he can be a hardcore poser.
Don't shave to look like a cyclist, shave because you want to and because you ARE a cyclist.

Originally posted by RoAdRaGeR
Why do you hardcore cyclists shave your legs? To be more aero-dynamic? So you don't get dirt/grime on your leg hair? To look sexy for the ladies? Why?

And if I were to shave my legs, would I be giving up part of my man hood?:D
No you will only lose very little hair which you really don't need, as as for shaving legs, also don't know why I shave my legs

A bit of hirstute trivia...

The main reason why there are regu;ations against long hair and facial hair in the military is because, back in the days of black powder and muzzle-loading muskets, a facial or head would that got hair into it was a thousand times worse than one that did not get hair into it. 19th century infantrymen always shaved before going into battle. The exception, of course, were the pioneers or engineers, who were rarely under direct fire, anyway.

Cyclists shave for uch the same reason. Hair can trap all sorts of nasties in a superficial road rash and turn it into an infection, and hair can made a road rash worse by pulling on the skin in a crash, and hair is a pain when you tape yourself up.

The other part os it is that it is a tradition, and cycling is a sport that is imbued with tradit6ions.

Yeah, shaving simply is a thing to do when you have been serious about riding for a long time.

I was harsh against not too long ago, now I'm thinking of doing it soon. When you got calves like this, it's a crime not to share them with the world :D

So you shave for the simple fact to make bandaging and removal of bandages easier? You guys are wimps! Theres nothing like some good hair pulling PAIN!!!

One other reason,
When I joined the racing team (I guess it was part of initiation), they said if I didn't shave my legs, they would kick my ass. :rolleyes:

Well knifun, I would have shaved my legs, then thrown the leg hair at the racing team riders who said they would kick your ass.

ON the subject of Shaving, I might as well as you guys for advice.
I've been shaved for about a week an a half now, and I've got a red rash type of thing going on the inside of my legs. Will this stuff go away? It doesn't look like razor burn or ingrown hairs.
My buddy says that using shaving cream and razors with a lube strip will make it worse, is this so? He also said that I should shave with hot water and then rinse with cold to close my pores, is this right?

fubar5, I wouldn't even bother shaving your legs. I think it's a waste of time. Oh, yes, your pores are always closed. I guess there is a big myth that your pores open when you put hot water on them. Not True. If your pores could open, then your body would be very exposed to diseases, etc.

Originally posted by fubar5
I've been shaved for about a week an a half now, and I've got a red rash type of thing going on the inside of my legs. Will this stuff go away? It doesn't look like razor burn or ingrown hairs.
You're just new to it. It's a common mistake when you start -- for he first time or for the first time in a season -- but you don't have to go as hard as on your face. Just shave it lightly, with one stroke, and that'll take care of it. What you have is a slight irritation from scraping the skin.

Use a new razor [the cheap Bics are fine for this], and don't do it too often. Once a week to start, at the most. You might also want to put some moisturizing skin cream on after shaving and after every shower.

Thanks Velocipedio!!!!

Soak before you shave. Sit in the tub for 30 min, in warm water. Then shave in the tub, if you get out, you will get chicken skin, and cut your legs. I use my standard razor (Mach 3) with my standard shaving gel... no problems yet... :D

Originally posted by fubar5
I've got a red rash type of thing going on the inside of my legs.
My buddy says that using shaving cream and razors with a lube strip will make it worse, is this so?
Matt, I get the same red rash about once every 6-8 weeks. I simply use a little of my wife's Curell (sp??) lotion on the rash and it's gone the next day. Get some from your Mom when she's not looking. :D

My razor has the blue strip (Mach3) and it doesn't cause the rash nor does it make the rash worse.


Just curious - How did you talk your Mom into letting you shave?

Originally posted by fubar5
ON the subject of Shaving, I might as well as you guys for advice.
I've been shaved for about a week an a half now, and I've got a red rash type of thing going on the inside of my legs. Will this stuff go away? It doesn't look like razor burn or ingrown hairs.
My buddy says that using shaving cream and razors with a lube strip will make it worse, is this so? He also said that I should shave with hot water and then rinse with cold to close my pores, is this right?

Hey, as long as that **** isnt on your balls, i'd be happy. :thumbup:

As a woman who has shaved for years, some advice. For one thing, keep in mind that men have coarser leg hair and shaving it for the first time isn't easy! I would suggest using a ladies shaving cream for legs you can get them in the drugstore. They lubricate the skin and make it easier, and don't have heavy perfumy smells if that worries you. Some come in unscented. They have oils that make it easier to shave. Also, use one of those lady bic razors- they are better for legs. And put moisturizing lotion on your legs after shaving- like Curel (I use that too). It also has no scent and won't make you smell like a girl. The more you moisturize the easier it will be to shave next time. I'm lucky because even for a girl I don't have hairy legs- some women I know have legs as hairy as guys and torture themselves with WAX. Ewww.

Originally posted by RonH

Just curious - How did you talk your Mom into letting you shave?


I just kept pestering her. Plus I'd shave every once in awhile just to see where I stood as far as her reactions. Then for my graduation party I invited over all my cycling friends for a ride before all the other guests arrived. That way my mom got to see a bunch of guys with shaved legs. After that it was pretty easy, I just shaved. She didn't notice for a few days, and then she just said, "oh well". My dad hasn't embraced the idea as well, but he's coming through.


Wabbbit

I've thought about using ladies shaving cream. I'll have to hide it or something though. I can just imagine one of my fam members finding ladies shaving stuff in my bathroom....ha ha!!! :eek:

Fubar5, yes you better hide that ladies shaving cream or else the gestapo will be knocking at your door looking for it.:D

I think you cyclists are wasting your time shaving. After reading most of your replies, it's gave me more reasons NOT to shave...Rashes, women's shaving cream, etc.

some advice. For one thing, keep in mind that men have coarser leg hair and shaving it for the first time isn't easy! I would suggest using a ladies shaving cream for legs you can get them in the drugstore. wabbit

yeah, i use a regular hair-clipper w/o the guard to trim away all the hair from the winter. otherwise it's like shaving your face after having a beard which is not easy.

actually, recently i've gotten really lazy and i'll just run the clippers on my legs and forget the razor - then i get the advantages (other than the slick fast smooth feel) and i don't care if they're not beautifully sleek light after a clean shave - i'm a guy anyhow! then only a few times a year for a big race will i actually use the razor (for the complete mental/ritualistic preparation)

Fubar, congrats on the graduation! What are you plans now? Are you going to join the AF? College? Race Pro? Work? :)

About shaving, i lost atleast 6 shades of color when i shaved, im so white! last month, i was really really tan, i swear! :D

Fubar... don't join the AF, go to college and race for the varsity team... then get a pro contract. I have a feeling that your Air Force barrack mates might find shaving a little odd...

Fubar, if you have not yet done so, this is a great time for you to see BREAKING AWAY, the great American cycling movie. See what parents in Indiana thought of leg shaving in 1979!

Rich

Fubar I can understand your fears about the macho AF guys seeing your ladies shaving cream- but they could just assume it's your girlfriend's? Also, what are they doing snooping around your house anyways???

Damn...

Hiding womens shaving products and shaving your legs in a darklit room...someone's insecure.

Fubar, the only reason you should join the AF is to get free college, or fly jets. Other wise you should become a lonely hermit and spend the rest of your life living in the forest, chopping wood to build fires so you can make magical potions!:D

I'm not going to join the AF...I have psoriasis on my feet and they wouldn't give me a waiver. Anyway, my plan now is to try to go to a college with a cycling team. Or to go to University of South Carolina and get on Team Earthfare.

AH HA!!! I think the rash is atopic dermatitus/eczema. Maybe I am allergic to the shaving cream I am using. As eczema is causing by being exposed to agents that I'm allergic to. I think I'll try a different shaving cream. I may also be allgergic to the soap I'm using, and before I shave it didn't make enough contact with my skin to cause problems. There is a history of eczema in my mom's side of the fam, plus I have psoriasis on my feet.

What's all the uproar about cyclists who shave. its no big deal. i've been slick legged since 1986. i figured if Lemond did it, so could i. my dad freaked-said i was crazy. my non-cycling buddies ragged me. hell, i even used shaving as a pick-up line "My legs are as smooth as yours, wanna feel?" today, my wife (going on 10yrs) has yet to feel no more than just a little lazy winter stubble. she sure lets me know when it's too long. so, to all who want to shave, go to it, just don't slip in the tub!

Cyclists shave for uch the same reason. Hair can trap all sorts of nasties in a superficial road rash and turn it into an infection, and hair can made a road rash worse by pulling on the skin in a crash, and hair is a pain when you tape yourself up.

I don't care what you say - where I come from , t'ain't natural to go about with no 'air!!!

Did shave my chest once (for charity) - itches like hell when it grows back, and I managed to nick a nipple (ooohh!!) but that's another story...:p

DJ

I'm giving women's (tee hee) shaving cream a shot, and I got the shave reducing moisterizer stuff.

Originally posted by Gus Riley
I admit it, I don't shave...call me a Squirrel!!
I would, but I don't like squirells, so I'll leave you seperate from them!!

Originally posted by fubar5
I'm giving women's (tee hee) shaving cream a shot, and I got the shave reducing moisterizer stuff.
Matt, if you're worried about getting "caught" using women's shaving cream, why not try what I use (my wife uses it too). I use Kiss My Face (http://kissmyfaceestore.com/ssi/osb2/showitem.cfm?Category=10) shaving cream. I like the virgin forest (pine) and key lime scents.
You can get it at health/natural food stores like Whole Foods. If you don't have Whole Foods here's a local store that should have it.
BJ's Health Food Store
103 W Liberty St.
Sumter, SC
(803) 481-3404