From the article: Why Do Cyclists Shave Their Legs
Shaving leg hair is fairly common among male riders in the cycling world, both for professional riders and the more serious amateurs. Though there are a variety or "reasons" people give for shaving their legs, there is really no compelling reason to shave them other than perhaps tradition and appearance. Do you shave your legs? Share the reasons why or why not. Do You Shave Your Legs?
Sexy
- Yeah, the girls in the peloton give a certain you a look and the girls in the street give you a look. Now you decide what kind of look you prefer.
- —Guest IsaacBiton
Improved recovery due to massage
- As I begin my harder training periods, I start needing to massage my legs every night, and usually before rides as well. When I get to where I'm ripping out my leg hair from the massage it is definitely time to shave! Plus, improved cooling, lower wind resistance, better absorption of sunscreen and muscle soreness creams, plus it identifies yourself as someone who is serious about what you do as a cyclist, as opposed to someone who rides a bike for exercise. It would help with healing of road rash too, but I have not crashed since 1991 (seriously). Knock on wood!
- —Guest Mark
Shaving
- Shaving can cost a packet - but Pro-Cyclists do for a multitude of reasons. We sponsor a pro-cyclist, Tobyn Horton who rides for the motorpoint team in the UK 2010 season. It is such a perfect sponsorship - we help him with his travel costs etc and he spreads the word about our website... http://www.razorblades2u.com
- —Guest GG
Scab Control
- when I was mountain biking in the Sierra Nevada I shaved my legs. It was the shaving that lessened the pain and allowed my scabs to rip off easier when breaking trail through some heavier scrub.
- —Guest Natasha205
shave legs
- Yeah, I shave my legs. I ride a bike everyday and wearing bike pants, I think it's just something you have to do. Most people that ride serioiusly shave their legs. I doesn't hurt!
- —Guest Matt
Sunblock goes on easier
- It's easier to put sunblock on shaved legs. Otherwise it doesn't reach the actual skin.
- —Guest Andy
shave legs
- Because of riding, I have great leg muscle definition. Why cover that with hair?
- —Guest sheronrx
Tick Prevention
- I have heard that ticks, who sit and wait for a host to come by and then jump onto the body, can use the hair to grab onto and then burrow using the base to better facilitate entry into the skin. As a mountain biker this has always been on my mind when I go into the woods. Regardless, I have shaved for years and would no matter the reason. It is just another way to show you are a cyclist like a biking t-shirt or funny tan lines. I like seeing a pair of shaved legs as it can usually spark a cycling conversation.
- —Guest Kinboy
Shave 'em for...
- Easier to clean and dry, cooler when riding, easier to apply sunscreens and lotions....
- —Guest Steve
Air Conditioning
- The best reason of all is the increased cooling effect of bare skin. Go from hairy to shaven on a long hot ride and you'll immediately know why it's best to shave.
- —Guest Marcus
