What motivates you to shave your legs for cycling?
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What motivates you to shave your legs for cycling?
I'm guessing it's to cut down on wind resistance, but wouldn't you have had to look like Bigfoot before shaving to notice any difference?
And...do only racers do this or do some purely recreational riders do this? And if recreational, why? Just a way to justify shaving?
I'm really curious, not trolling.
And...do only racers do this or do some purely recreational riders do this? And if recreational, why? Just a way to justify shaving?
I'm really curious, not trolling.
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Leg hair has little to no effect on drag.
Shaving for amateurs is just a convention. Sort of a right of passage if you will. For me, it's a sign that I take this sport seriously.
I haven't shaved my legs in about 1 year when I developed tendonitis and was off the bike for a few months. I've just been JRA and riding hard during group rides this year, but now that I am "training" again and starting to ride lots I'm considering shaving again.
It was funny lining up for the 6 or 7 races I did this year as the only hairy legged rider. I felt self-conscious for having hairy legs. Lol.
Shaving for amateurs is just a convention. Sort of a right of passage if you will. For me, it's a sign that I take this sport seriously.
I haven't shaved my legs in about 1 year when I developed tendonitis and was off the bike for a few months. I've just been JRA and riding hard during group rides this year, but now that I am "training" again and starting to ride lots I'm considering shaving again.
It was funny lining up for the 6 or 7 races I did this year as the only hairy legged rider. I felt self-conscious for having hairy legs. Lol.
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In no particular order:
Vanity
Tradition
Easier to get embro on/off
Peer pressure
Easier to clean up road rash
Get more defined tan lines
Vanity
Tradition
Easier to get embro on/off
Peer pressure
Easier to clean up road rash
Get more defined tan lines
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This
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This
#7
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First, tradition. Also, cleaner. You'd be surprised what your leg hair can collect on a five hour ride, especially in bad weather. Next, it makes it easier to rub embrocation on your legs, which is particularly helpful in cold, wet weather even if you are wearing leg warmers. Lastly, vanity. Leg hair sticking out of knee or leg warmers and that ring of flattened hair sticking out from under your shorts is just weird looking. Smooth, well formed legs are like good lines on a sports car. If you care about those things.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
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My wife likes my legs. Says I should shave them. 'Nuff said.
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amazing.
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No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
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To belong.
There are benefits, but they are all debatable. In the end it is to belong, and it's because it is what is done.
There are benefits, but they are all debatable. In the end it is to belong, and it's because it is what is done.
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I no longer have the desire to race, but after you've become accustomed to it, having hair feels less clean.
Hairy legs use up a lot more sunscreen.
Hairy legs hold a lot more bugs, road grit, and other riders' snot.
Post workout massage (even self-massage) makes a big difference in your recovery. Hairy legs thwart a good massage.
Using a depilator builds character.
Hairless legs don't automatically make one any less straight.
Hairy legs use up a lot more sunscreen.
Hairy legs hold a lot more bugs, road grit, and other riders' snot.
Post workout massage (even self-massage) makes a big difference in your recovery. Hairy legs thwart a good massage.
Using a depilator builds character.
Hairless legs don't automatically make one any less straight.

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I've had people ask me why I sit in the front row when listening at orchestra concerts.
"because they won't let me sit in the middle of the stage"
"because they won't let me sit in the middle of the stage"
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To show off the Hincapie syndrome I'm developing.
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I hate body hair but I don't want to take the time to shave my body nor do I want to deal with the itch 3 days later
If I had the money I would have it laser removed though.

If I had the money I would have it laser removed though.
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when I crashed last year and I had to go to the hospital I understood how much trouble I had saved.
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It's kinda cool and funny when you wear jeans after shaving
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I do not like body hair.
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It's kinda cool and funny when you wear jeans after shaving

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I do not like body hair.