The "Should I..." Thread
04-05-13 | 11:29 PM
#3026
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Mass
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista
Originally Posted by Jandro
If you get messages, they are way less painful with shaved legs. Thankfully, my gf is awesome at messages so I get this benefit.
I guess I need a gf.
I'm with you on the leg muscles. I'm so happy winter is OVER and I can wear SHORTS again. How often do you shave? In the shower?
Last edited by Jandro; 04-05-13 at 11:36 PM.
04-05-13 | 11:36 PM
#3027
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
Once a week-ish. I shave with one leg in the tub at a time (not a shower).
04-05-13 | 11:37 PM
#3028
We win all charity rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 0
From: Central Michigan University/ GR, MI
Bikes: BMX, fixed gear
My ex was originally studying sports medicine, and she was amazing at massages. Thats one of like 3 things that I miss from that relationship. Need new girl good at massages.
04-05-13 | 11:43 PM
#3029
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
Bikes: Phil Barge Pista SC
Ok dudes here's how the shaving thing goes:
-If you have an electric shaver - use that first to tame your Chewbacca fur.
-Now that you've done that, USE SHAVING CREAM. You can experiment with soap + water + baby oil later, after your first time.
-Use a BRAND NEW razor. Something with 3 blades - don't use disposable. Gillet Mach 3 are the best IMO. Replaceable heads = win. Once you figure out if this is for you go to Dollar Shave Club and buy from them. Much cheaper.
-Get you leg damp, apply shaving cream like you're shaving your face. Start at the ankle. Apply minimal pressure - this is where newbies butcher themselves. Go slowly, at first.
-Work you way up in long, slow passes starting from right above the angle, halfway up the shin. Work your way around your leg.
-Relax your calf, don't flex.
-Use the same light pressure technique on the top of you knee (another butcher zone if you aren't careful).
-For the back of the knee, extend your leg out and twist your torso so you're looking over your shoulder-ish to the back of your leg. This straightens out all the tendons and gives you a reasonably flat surface to work with. Light-ish pressure here.
-Here's where you can choose what sort of man you are. Do you leave a hairline or go all the way? No right answer - do yo thang. For what it's worth, I do both, depending on how lazy I am. Usually I'm not lazy and shave all the up. While you're there, shave the boys. If you have a gf/bf, they'll appreciate it.
-rise off and repeat with other leg.
-Apply non-scented lotion or baby oil afterwards to prevent razor burn. If you did all this right it should take you ~10-20 minutes. Repeat once to twice a week (depending on how fast your hair grows or when you are racing).
You're welcome.
-If you have an electric shaver - use that first to tame your Chewbacca fur.
-Now that you've done that, USE SHAVING CREAM. You can experiment with soap + water + baby oil later, after your first time.
-Use a BRAND NEW razor. Something with 3 blades - don't use disposable. Gillet Mach 3 are the best IMO. Replaceable heads = win. Once you figure out if this is for you go to Dollar Shave Club and buy from them. Much cheaper.
-Get you leg damp, apply shaving cream like you're shaving your face. Start at the ankle. Apply minimal pressure - this is where newbies butcher themselves. Go slowly, at first.
-Work you way up in long, slow passes starting from right above the angle, halfway up the shin. Work your way around your leg.
-Relax your calf, don't flex.
-Use the same light pressure technique on the top of you knee (another butcher zone if you aren't careful).
-For the back of the knee, extend your leg out and twist your torso so you're looking over your shoulder-ish to the back of your leg. This straightens out all the tendons and gives you a reasonably flat surface to work with. Light-ish pressure here.
-Here's where you can choose what sort of man you are. Do you leave a hairline or go all the way? No right answer - do yo thang. For what it's worth, I do both, depending on how lazy I am. Usually I'm not lazy and shave all the up. While you're there, shave the boys. If you have a gf/bf, they'll appreciate it.
-rise off and repeat with other leg.
-Apply non-scented lotion or baby oil afterwards to prevent razor burn. If you did all this right it should take you ~10-20 minutes. Repeat once to twice a week (depending on how fast your hair grows or when you are racing).
You're welcome.
Remember if you are only going to shave part of your leg, go much higher than where your shorts stop, otherwise it looks ganky when shorts creep up.
Be VERY CAREFUL around the knees. Both front and back. Possibly the trickiest part, especially at first.
Don't be overly anal about getting every last hair or getting a smooth shave. You can always go back to trim up spots you missed but being overly aggressive removes skin layers. Your leg skin is not the same as your face. You might be the sort of man who can rake broken glass over his neck and not mind, but the same won't necessarily apply to your legs.
Depending on your setup, shaving in the shower is a valid option. You might prune up though if you are going to be a while.
The thing that is weird about riding in the wind is that you stop feeling the wind. No hair to blow in the breeze.
Oh, and the one thing that really sucks about leg shaving is you are still a man, filled with testosterone. If you typically shave every other day, expect to need to do the same for the legs. Prepare to wear full length pyjamas when regrowing it back because that stubble can get itchy and uncomfortable until things grow back
04-05-13 | 11:46 PM
#3030
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
04-05-13 | 11:52 PM
#3031
We win all charity rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 0
From: Central Michigan University/ GR, MI
Bikes: BMX, fixed gear
Hah. Currently have a tab open for The Rules.
04-06-13 | 12:13 AM
#3033
Fresh Garbage
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,190
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: N+1
This was the worst part for me. My legs were ****ing sand paper after a few hours and my gf absolutely hated it.
04-06-13 | 12:54 AM
#3035
We win all charity rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 0
From: Central Michigan University/ GR, MI
Bikes: BMX, fixed gear
When I was growing up, my dad always told me to eat my potatoes at dinner because "it'll make you grow hair on your legs and chest". Still not sure why it was potatoes specifically that both my parents brought up. Maybe cuz Irish.
04-06-13 | 05:42 AM
#3038
Brown Jersey Winner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 13
From: The Bad Woods.
04-06-13 | 06:37 AM
#3039
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
04-06-13 | 06:54 AM
#3041
canis lupus familiaris
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,254
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Bikes: En plus one
One useful shortcut to shaving your legs at the beginning of the season, is to take a hair clipper to them first and get most of the hair off. this leaves much less hair for the razor. The razor doesn't go dull as quickly.
Also shave with the grain (down in the direction of the foot). It won't give you as close a shave, but will irritate the skin a lot less.
Don't forget to put some aftershave on them to deal with any unavoidable nicks. The stuff for your face works fine, but i prefer something like less perfumey like witch hazel, i don't want to smell like I just showered in cologne.
Also shave with the grain (down in the direction of the foot). It won't give you as close a shave, but will irritate the skin a lot less.
Don't forget to put some aftershave on them to deal with any unavoidable nicks. The stuff for your face works fine, but i prefer something like less perfumey like witch hazel, i don't want to smell like I just showered in cologne.
04-07-13 | 09:40 PM
#3049
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Bikes: 2010 Schwinn Madison, 1997 GT Timberline S/S Conversion
