Look good to feel good.
As I write this, Rule #33 is being hammered on over in The Rules. This is a hell of a Rule, demanding legs be kept shaven at all times. I believe for most Velominati “at all times” is a tough ask. No one is saying you have to shave the guns everyday, unless you have Peter van Petegem’s five o’clock shadow twenty minutes after your morning’s shave.
If you have never done it for whatever reason, you owe it to yourself to try it once. It doesn’t reflect on your sexuality and it’s only hair, it’ll grow back. It will grow back unless you wax your legs and that might be a bit too much of an introduction. Me, I’ve never waxed anything but skis.
I think most cyclists who have never shaved their legs want to experience it but fear the awkward explanations. And it only becomes more awkward if you try to over-explain it. Plain and simple it looks awesome. It looks great like new handlebar tape looks great. And like new handlebar tape, everything keeps looking awesome with some basic maintenance. Forget the long-winded, hand-waving explanations. Most curious people are afraid to ask anyway because it’s politically insensitive to impugn your potential cross-dressing interests. They don’t want to take that chance. Cyclists put in untold hours on the road and nothing is more demoralizing than seeing sweaty, hairy legs down there.
I don’t race. I try to adhere to Rule #33 purely on aesthetic grounds. If I look better on the bike, I will feel better on the bike. Shaved legs do feel better and look better so give it a try. Does that make me a poser? I really don’t care if someone thinks that.
One thing I would love to find out is when do retired professionals stop shaving? I’m sure it’s a chore they fantasize about not keeping up with but really, if they still ride do they still shave? Robert Millar, please advise.
The weird thing is I live in a climate where shorts are most always worn so I see a lot of legs but the weird thing is more guys shave their legs than there are Cyclists out there. The is a subset of men who are naturally hairless or who are shaving their legs despite showing no other outward signs of throwing a leg over a top tube with regularity. I’m afraid to find out more.
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@Sparty
Kind of a cross between Breaking Away and American Beauty.
I'm trying a Phillips IPL for permanent removal at the moment - figure I've been waxing/shaving for 2 decades - might as well get rid of it all once and for all.
@gianni: even if you wax for years...it will still grow back! the advantage is that it's a 'once-a-month' thing as opposed to a 'once-a-week' with the razor
@sparty: great story!
I started shaving the guns last year partly due to the guidance of this site. I didn't like the maintenance but liked the feel.
They are now growing back due to pressure from the VMH, and now I look down and think they look messy.
One thing I noticed is that when shaved you don't feel the headwinds as much. But now you can feel them again like when your mo gets to a certain length.
@Jay I thought that no one would see hairy legs under tights in the winter months but then I went out for a ride on a cold frosty day when the trees and fields were covered in hoar frost only to discover that your wee leg hairs poke out through the tights & get hoary. I'd aced R9 only to be shamed by my lack of adherence to R33...
Listening to Luke Rowe talking about his Classics experience on Mitch Docker's podcast (https://player.fm/series/life-in-the-peloton-117489) as I read this article. Luke Rowe says Peter Van Petegem is his Classics idol too. Give the podcast a listen, its interesting.
BTW I'm a year-round Sunday post-ride-shower leg shaver - full groin-to-ankle approach. My wife seems to think that negates her own responsibilities in this area.
Get your trophy and get Rule #33 on!
Unfortunately my legs are so untanned they look like ghost legs. If they even look at the sun they burn bright red. Such is the life on the northern hemisphere.
The is a subset of men?
I think you overlooked the #1 rule, to always proofread what you publish
getting kitted up while being rule 33 compliant is a much more pleasurable experience, vice not being rule 33 compliant and knowing what type of failure your ride is automatically going to be, unless you (@sthilzy) are Peter Sagan, and clearly is not in rule violation because he "can dish out plenty of hurt to shaved riders".
To shave or not to shave ... that is the question. I shave year round. And even when I was off the bike for 15+ years after I quit racing before I got back on in 2014, I still shaved. If you have any self respect for your guns, you shave. Honestly, I don't even know why this is a question or issue.