correct

My issue is with people that say all people who do it are just sheep trying to fit in. If you really believe that there can't be practical reasons for doing it, then there really is no hope for you. If you are just pushing my buttons, then hey, good one

I really don't feel a need to shave to fit in, there are tons of people, many who kick my ass on a regular basis that don't or won't shave. I don't believe it is the mark of a serious cyclist to shave, and I really don't care if anyone else does, but I object to the mischaracterization.

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.

Because it makes my muscles look bigger, among other things.

I can vouch for UMD his wife told me he only started shaving after 3 bad falls so give the guy a break, he'd probably drop the **** out of 85% of you anyway.

You all drank too much haterade.

not all unshaven legs look bad. sure, mine aren't the most defined legs around, but they aren't too bad either:



maybe i'm just lucky i ain't sasquatch - or that i just don't fall that much (yeah, yeah, if i raced...)

Wow god I wish my legs looked like that unshaved, I mean I'm no sasquatch I have normal chest hair, no back hair and blonde arm hair but my legs are pretty hairy.

Ok, forget leg hair, how long is your head hair? Is it in a bun in that picture?

Oh, no, they can judge me on the fact that I wear jean shorts and not bike pants, too!

I don't have a problem with UMD's reasons for shaving. Now that I've heard about that aspect (which hadn't occurred to me prior to the thread), it makes sense. Any hate I slung UMD's way had more to do with his delivery than his reasons for shaving. Having said that, I also understand starting this thread is a n00b move on my part, and I've bashed my share of n00bs on other forums, so I see where UMD is coming from. No hard feelings toward UMD or anyone else who posted here; I realize I blundered in, but I learned what I wanted to learn, so it's all good.

yup it's long, at least to my shoulders these days. having it flying around in the wind is way un-aero and also looks weird. =]

i've got a beard too.. i guess you could say i'm one hairy cat.

Uh-oh... group-hugged by a guy who shaves his legs. This doesn't mean we're engaged or anything, does it? (No, really, I'm on uncharted ground and don't know the cultural practices of roadies!)

Basically it's secret code for your invitation to heterosexual spooning thursdays.

I miss rockin' the Liquigas look, long hair in a hair band all flyin' in the wind.

Dude, are you sure you don't shave? My legs have more hair than that towards the end of the week when I need to shave again...

up close things look different - and the way rain beads up on the hair it looks like another layer of wool.

like i said, i'm just lucky i ain't a 'squatch

3 days ago I wore shorts to work so I could ice down my legs after my morning ride and one of my co workers walked by and noticed my legs and said so the whole office could hear "NICK YOU SHAVE YOUR LEGS, COOL?! WHY DO YOU SHAVE YOUR LEGS FOR AERODYNAMICS, DON'T WORRY I WON'T TELL ANYONE YOU SHAVE YOUR LEGS...NICK." My work is 98% woman and the ones that heard it and know aren't the least bit impressed by it so I still think most girls think it's weird when guys shave.

This one seems more appropriate here :

I think we need to discuss why you needed to ice down your legs after your morning ride. At work, no less.

Back to back rides with running, it helps, getting off the bike after a short hard ride and sitting at a desk for 8 hours isn't exactly the best thing for muscles.