Originally Posted by
Doohickie
Actually, this has turned into a good discussion, except for your pot-shots and insults.
This isn't about me; I'm not even considering taking up the practice, as I've explained earlier. I'm just trying to understand the origins of it. I think I get it now, but like I said earlier, I'm not competitive enough or pushing the envelope enough to worry about it.
I came in with the idea that people did this for aerodynamic reasons, which seemed BS to me. Now I know it has more to do with road rash and tight-fitting clothing. I learned what I wanted to learn.
I kinda laugh at the idea someone mentioned earlier that anyone can buy an expensive bike, but only a hardcore, competitive racer will shave his legs. If I'm a poseur and spend several thousand on a bike and racing outfit, why would shaving my legs be a big hurdle?
For the majority of riders out there shaving is more of a preference than anything else. Having crashed a few times and getting some unpleasant road rash hair in my wounds was the least of my worries, but not having to yank hair out is nice but not enough of a reason to shave my legs. I don't race so crashing is something I've done well to avoid and I intend on keeping it that way.
The aesthetics of shaved legs is subjective so if you don't like it, don't do it. The bottom line is that you're out riding and whether you look like a pro or not is only as important as you make it. If people are shallow enough to judge your ability based solely on shaved legs or not then it doesn't really matter what they think does it? Besides, it's more important to be a good rider than just look like one. People who think shaved legs are the mark of a serious cyclist forget that just like anyone can buy an expensive bike, anyone can buy a razor and shave their legs.
And that's all I have to say about that.
