Dude, don't waste your breath trying to explain why you want to do something to people who have some innate bias against said activity. Sheesh, people are jumping on you for wanting to shave your legs as if this topic were religion or politics.

You know you want to shave your legs, just do it. You know it will be beneficial for the reasons you named, so just do it. The other folks aren't gonna be there to help you when you fall, so do what you gotta do.

I'm thinking of shaving my legs because I play football (soccer) and constant slide tackling has left my upper calves and knees with lots of notty scabs wrapped around hair, which means it is neither healing nor able to fall off. Another benefit is that the mud will come off my legs easier in the shower, leaving the house a bit cleaner, making my wife yell at me not so much! =)

Sadly...no, I'm not kidding.

I don't use bandages in the first place. Dried blood clots work the best. Water resistant, zero maintenance, quick healing.

Have shaved my legs for 30yrs. Think I'll do the arms this year. Bugs, sweat dirt, and snot all matted up in the hair bugs me more than being asked if I'm gay.

I never shaved when I raced off or on road but believe me it was just laziness. I never really race to win anyway it's just a good time to me.

HOWEVER,
Many of you are probably familiar with the sight of a massage therapist all set up and working hard on riders legs and lower back after a race? I never failed to get one even when they weren't free and I never failed to ask these gals and guys what their preference was when working over weary cyclists.
Shaved, everytime they wanted them shaved legs. Said they could see em and feel em more effectively when the fellas shaved em. I don't think they meant the hair actually bunched up and got in the way or anything though I've seen some hairy dudes where you might think thats the case :D I thnk the meant that the lack of the coarse feeling of hair between their hands and the underlying flesh made the sensory input from their hands easier to focus on, at least that's what one of em told me, I think she got asked a lot though.

That's exactly what I do. Trim it with clippers. You get 99% of the benefits of being shaved without the regrowth/irritation problems. Luckily my hair is blonde and what's left is pretty much invisible.
You guys should try it, it's a lot easier.

Ok, input from another girl-

something you guys don't realize is that having hairy legs protects you from getting cut. I get injured more severly, at least comparing my hairless, clumsy legs, to those of a hairy, clumsy male friend. I always come away all torn up, and he always says "I've got hairly legs, remember? I don't get cut." It's like a buffer zone.

He's yanking your chain, maybe more of the tiny scratches you'll get from underbrush while riding singletrack are visible on your legs from being shaved. I presume your riding off-road with your friend if your coming away torn up at all. Hairy legs arent an sort of buffer zone but they may hide small skin abrasions very well. It could be also that he's riding at a different level than you. when I rode beginner I had all kinda scratches, cuts, bruises etc from I don't even know what half the time even though I was pretty good. Less and less marks when I was riding sport until eventually I always had clean legs after a race or ride. you watch the top sport class and expert class riders male and female finishing a race. Unless they went down bad their legs and elsewhere are clean as a whistle for the most part

I would think that shaving your legs would help with healing from road rash.the bad thing is this is comming from a guy that has hair all over my body (except the top of my head)so shaving for me would be a waste of time.I would be all day at it.
I once as a joke said if I could raise enouph money that I would nair my whole body and go to the car wash and let the gals wash it off.I got to about $100.00 before the bidding stopped.I was hoping for $1000.would have been funny.
here is a thought.when you go have an operation they shave the area that is to be worked on,sanitary reasons is what I am told.

That's old school. According to Dr Dean Edell, the shaving is a waste of time and hospitals are getting away from it.

I'm a girl and take it from me. There is nothing sexier than clean shaven legs!!!!!!

Ok then, that's what I've always thought too! Consider it taken!! I've always had trouble deciding where to draw the line on the top end, thoughts?

When you get to your sideburns, you've probably gone too far.

Apparently none of you are massaging your legs after a ride. Pity.
If you were, you'd find it MUCH easier to do with shaved legs. MUCH easier.

I also like more definition in my tan lines, but that's a whole 'nother thread.

I remember walking across my college campus for the first time with shaved legs. I felt naked. Then a cute girl said she thought it was cool, and I knew I'd never go back.


ChanMan: did you MARCH Blue Devils drumline? Or just a fan?
I always say "ABC: Anybody But Cavaliers!"

And I think we've overlooked the "Rite of Passage" that comes with shaving legs.
What other sport has it?

People afraid of the ridicule, or hassle, or whatever, are slowly working to remove the character from the sport.

Swimming and diving, at least--legs, feet, back, arms, head, maybe more.

Rite of passage...

To being a serious rider sure why not!

I know swimmers shave for real reasons, but I'm referring to the Rite of Passage. The symbolic act of going to a serious level.

Is that the case with swimmers, too?

Not worthy of discussion. It's not going to make you faster - not physically, anyway. The pros do it for easier wound cleaning/dressing, and it's easier to massage hairless legs after a race. The average amateur does it because the pros do it.

Racing Cyclists shave there legs to conform infact it lets everybody no that your serious about your sport. I do it so when we get a rub "massage" the hair dosnt pull in the massures hands and its easier for them to feel your musles.

Dam you brought up an old thread... I have been shaving my legs for quite some time now... will not go back!

hehehehe Did someone resurrect this just for me :D :D :D A fine read, thank you :D :D

Nothing against this practice..I think the outside public thinks it weird and a major reason why American's unfamiliar to the sport, sorta malign it...Goes against American values..Be manly and all that..
But, if this is necessary to assist with road rash problems...Then, why not shave arms also...Arms often take the impact of a fall. Or do racers do this also...?

I've gotta admit, shaving did cross my mind ever so briefly. In fact I do shave one part of my body. I won't say which part, but what my girlfriend said to me once "no one likes to suck on a hairy chuppa chup" does lend a lot more credence to the shaving conundrum than some of the stuff I've read here. :D

There I was eating my breakfast when I found this thread. This place is full of the oddest people.

Don't do it it's not nessecary there is no real benifit.

Ok if it makes you feel good..... but don't pretend there is a real reason for it, you just shave cos you like the feel of the blade running over your skin and the smooth, cool result. Do you sit their for a few minutes afterwards just running you hands up and down your legs marvelling at the alibaster feel of those god like leg nothing to distract from the ripple of the mussel underneath that extra tingle...

No No No, I've never done it honest.