Search
Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Shaving...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-24-16 | 08:31 PM
  #1  
eatontkd's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 370
Likes: 185
From: Central PA

Bikes: 1984 Cannondale road w/ MANY upgrades, 2017 Trek Fx7.5 Hybrid, 1953 Rudge "Path Racer", a 1956 Hercules "Royal Prince", 1974 Peugoet U08, 1960 Schwinn Corvette, and an unknown year, unknown frame lot's a fun single-speed!

Shaving...

I've been riding, off and on, for years. I've never shaved my legs. Do any of you shave? My wife would surely have a fitful response to this. So, I'm thinking about going for it.

Last edited by eatontkd; 03-24-16 at 09:07 PM. Reason: Idiot
eatontkd is offline  
Reply
Old 03-24-16 | 10:59 PM
  #2  
canklecat's Avatar
Me duelen las nalgas
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

I did when I was younger and occasionally raced intermediate level crits and time trials. I suppose it was helpful a few times after crashes for first aid to road rash. I doubt it made me any faster - I've never had enough leg hair to matter. And I barely notice any discomfort from pulling out hairs, whether peeling bandages off slowly or yanking quickly. One advantage to being older with chronic pain is the little stuff is hardly noticeable anymore. But shaving would probably be helpful for wooly bears and caveman types.
canklecat is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 04:26 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 780
Spring is almost here...
02Giant is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 04:55 AM
  #4  
texaspandj's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 650
From: Heart Of Texas

Bikes: '85, '86 , '87 , '88 , '89 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman.

Officially spring has sprung.
I did when I competed in triathlons in the mid 80's to early 90s. And now that I'm training again and plan to compete in some this year I'll do it again. I'd shave the night before my first race of the season then once a week to keep it manageable. Then the night before every race.
They say it's more aerodynamic, helps when you get road rash, shows more definition in your legs, facilitates post race massages and gives you a better feel for the water when swimming. But honestly I do it for the psychological affect. It means my training is going well and I'm ready to race You just feel faster. If I never did race I'd probably still do it because it helps identify me as a cyclist, shows off my legs, and most of all, it feels cooler. I say go for it. Can't knock it til you try it.

Tips: Use shaving cream, have at least 2 or more brand new shavers handy, start at the feet, and shave upward. I use Bic disposable with the pastel color handles. You may need more than 2 if you're really hairy. Oh and take your time especially around the ankles. You can expect an hour the first time then less than that if you shave weekly. Good luck.

Last edited by texaspandj; 03-25-16 at 10:32 AM.
texaspandj is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 05:09 AM
  #5  
dot dash
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,958
Likes: 6,514
From: Land of Pleasant Living

Bikes: Shmikes

Did it when I was racing and used every silly rationale in the book. It was a tribal ritual, a safe bit of homoeroticism, and felt fast. Wife couldn't stand the way it felt after a few days. I now have almost no hair below the knees from being old.
MoAlpha is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 07:03 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 108
From: Middle of the road, NJ
No reason to.
leob1 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 07:24 AM
  #7  
big john's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,413
Likes: 13,443
From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Originally Posted by leob1
No reason to.
+1. Not a chance.
big john is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 07:25 AM
  #8  
John_V's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
Likes: 122
From: Tampa, Florida

Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid

At 70, I still do. My reason is that I take an oral chemo drug that causes about 98% of the hair on my legs, and other body areas, to disappear. What's left are very small, scattered patches with dark hair that often looks like dots on my legs. It looks ridiculous and I'd rather have no hair on my legs than spotty patches. However, if you don't have a reason to shave your legs, than don't. Then again, you could give it a try and see how you like it and if you don't, let it grow back and no harm was done.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily

2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
John_V is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 07:46 AM
  #9  
volosong's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 28
From: North Idaho

Bikes: n + 1

I do. Not for any specific reason. It does not help my aerodynamic profile. I rarely 'crash', (only three times in my entire life, and all low-speed 'tight turns on a sand patch'). I just like the way it looks and feels. Unless the max temp of the day is in the mid-60s or lower, I wear shorts to work.
volosong is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 08:17 AM
  #10  
RonH's Avatar
Life is good
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻

Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro

Originally Posted by eatontkd
I've been riding, off and on, for years. I've never shaved my legs. Do any of you shave? My wife would surely have a fitful response to this. So, I'm thinking about going for it.
She might not like it at first but wait until you're both in bed. You can add the rest of the story yourself.

I'm 71 and still keep the leg hairs short. I don't shave anymore but I do use a trimmer every few weeks.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8

I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
RonH is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 09:15 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 420
From: Tucson Az

Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix, 1983 Team Fuji, 2019 Marin Nail Trail 6

I really don't see the point in shaving, unless I need to tape up my ankles again, and I don't compete in those types of sports anymore, so I don't see that happening.

I don't have very hairy legs anyway, so for the few nano seconds I'll save, it's not worth the effort or explanation. I also don't anticipate crashing, so that aspect is a non issue too.
Wileyrat is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 09:22 AM
  #12  
Biker395's Avatar
Seat Sniffer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 3,036
From: SoCal

Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport

Originally Posted by MoAlpha
Did it when I was racing and used every silly rationale in the book. It was a tribal ritual, a safe bit of homoeroticism, and felt fast. Wife couldn't stand the way it felt after a few days. I now have almost no hair below the knees from being old.
^ lol

I don't. I already shave the noggin and that's enough for me.

I have other reasons too. Whenever my family complains about my incessant cycling, I threaten them:

"Keep it up and I'll start shaving my legs. Explain that one to your friends."

I want to keep that one in my back pocket.
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...

Biker395 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 09:31 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 687
Likes: 5
started shaving a few years ago...

looks good, feels good...especially when swimming.

shaving is not about being 'aero,' it's about road rash...my last trip to the ER after a crash with hairy legs was pretty unpleasant.
FullGas is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 09:47 AM
  #14  
dot dash
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,958
Likes: 6,514
From: Land of Pleasant Living

Bikes: Shmikes

Originally Posted by Biker395
^ lol

I don't. I already shave the noggin and that's enough for me.

I have other reasons too. Whenever my family complains about my incessant cycling, I threaten them:

"Keep it up and I'll start shaving my legs. Explain that one to your friends."

I want to keep that one in my back pocket.
I shave the noggin, too.

Wife wasn't embarrassed by this comparatively mild eccentricity and appeared to buy the excuses. She just objected to the 400-grit Emery cloth feel of five-day shadow in bed. These days, however, she's worried about my wild eyebrows and keeps licking her finger and pasting them down. Daughter might have been slightly embarrassed if I'd done it when she was an adolescent, but probably not, given her delight in painting my toenails.

Hell, I swam with guys who shaved all visible parts for speed--talk about tribal rituals. That one's been debunked, too.

Road rash is unpleasant with or without hair, in my experience.
MoAlpha is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 09:55 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,959
Likes: 1,380
From: SW Fl.

Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser

I crashed in Central Park during a race MANY years ago. First time I went down hard and the road rash/hair/blood clean up made for a very unpleasant experience after arriving back home in Teaneck. Once healed I shaved arms and legs and it felt weird but one thing for sure is that non hairy arms/legs makes for very easy and less painful cleaning after doing down. Never shaved for any of my triathlons and I should have for the first REV3 70.3 in Venice. Came to the round-about by Manasota Beach and according to my Garmin went from 25.3mph to 0 pretty fast when I lost the rear at the 15 mile mark. Big time bleeding from that point on until after the 13.1 at which point I was escorted to the medical tent for a half hour of medical attention to be cleaned up--OUCH!!!!!--and monitoring.
OldTryGuy is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 10:01 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 1
From: Northern San Diego

Bikes: mid 1980s De Rosa SL, 1985 Tommasini Super Prestige all Campy SR, 1992 Paramount PDG Series 7, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1998 Trek Y-foil, 2006 Schwinn Super Sport GS, 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport

Not my legs, no.
D1andonlyDman is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 10:09 AM
  #17  
eatontkd's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 370
Likes: 185
From: Central PA

Bikes: 1984 Cannondale road w/ MANY upgrades, 2017 Trek Fx7.5 Hybrid, 1953 Rudge "Path Racer", a 1956 Hercules "Royal Prince", 1974 Peugoet U08, 1960 Schwinn Corvette, and an unknown year, unknown frame lot's a fun single-speed!

Originally Posted by Biker395
.......Whenever my family complains about my incessant cycling, I threaten them:

"Keep it up and I'll start shaving my legs. Explain that one to your friends."

I want to keep that one in my back pocket.
That may work for me!
eatontkd is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 10:11 AM
  #18  
DMC707's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,396
Likes: 1,140
From: Norman, Oklahoma

Bikes: Too many to list

Legs and forearms. Started doing it 30 years ago and cant stop now. If i go 2 weeks without the itching and ingrown hairs become unbearable

forearms is due to the wide swath of skin i pulled off the first time i let my speed drp below 15 mph on a 45 degree velodrome and slid down all the way to the bottom

its just part of life now - only complaint is its time consuming as i am a big guy --- a regular shower takes 5 minutes- a bath where shaving is involved takes me at minimum 30
DMC707 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 10:35 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Northern Maine
Oh lord, no. Its about the only hair I have left!
Ravenwing is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 12:08 PM
  #20  
mprelaw's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 1
From: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Oh boy, a shaving thread. These deliver almost as well as Lance threads in the 41.

Can we do a saddle bag or waving thread next? Can we, can we? Pretty please.
mprelaw is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 12:21 PM
  #21  
dot dash
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,958
Likes: 6,514
From: Land of Pleasant Living

Bikes: Shmikes

Originally Posted by mprelaw
Oh boy, a shaving thread. These deliver almost as well as Lance threads in the 41.

Can we do a saddle bag or waving thread next? Can we, can we? Pretty please.
I only wave at cats who shave.
MoAlpha is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 12:23 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 108
From: Middle of the road, NJ
Originally Posted by mprelaw

Can we do a saddle bag or waving thread next? Can we, can we? Pretty please.
Keep it up and I'll starts a chain lube thread!
leob1 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 12:28 PM
  #23  
79pmooney's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 5,287
From: Portland, OR

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

I'll stop shaving when I know I've done my last crash.

Ben
79pmooney is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 12:32 PM
  #24  
peterws's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 551
Likes: 48
From: Near Lancaster

Bikes: Carrera Virtuoso and friend

Dont shave! Use Veet for Men. .

Another customer, the Cantakerous Tiger wrote: "I like the clean shaven look down in my gentleman's log cabin, so for the past few years I've used a shaver. However the hair keeps growing back... so I decided to get to the root of the problem and purchased this product.

"Probably the first thing you will notice after using this product is the pain. Although as a man I lack the required experience, I'm going to estimate that using this product is at least eleven times more painful than childbirth.

"Imagine sticking a rusty razor blade into your favourite eye, before tying your hands behind your back. Then imagine that you use the entrenched razor blade to slice open a raw onion. All the while being butt naked.

"This product is slightly more painful than that."

But still worth a three star rating.
peterws is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-16 | 12:34 PM
  #25  
Wildwood's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,378
Likes: 8,297
From: Seattle area

Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?

Yes, but not in winter months.
Shaving + Nair keeps it smooth.

As [MENTION=411805]MoAlpha[/MENTION] stated = a mild eccentricity.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Wildwood is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.