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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Spot on article. Don't even get into conversation about it. You shave your guns, it's your choice. People ask me why all the time, I tell them it's both correct and out of respect, end of conversation. I ride with guys who don't shave and are often quicker than me, that is not the point. Correct and Respect, that is my mantra.
@Neil
Please, just don't bring facts and logic into this. That will only really mess things up.
I shave my legs (I can't bring myself to call them guns) for longer than I care to remember. And nobody ever asked my why...
As anyone who read my comment to @Gianni 's post about wearing gloves may recall, I was taught to ride by a trio of oldsters with a penchant for dictatorial pronouncements. "You will shave your legs," came soon after, "you will wear gloves" and "you will hold your line". I was sixteen at the time and when I emerged from the bathroom and my father saw my freshly shaven, toilet paper nick patched legs there was a long silence while he looked and finally asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
The oldsters never provided any why info when making pronouncements. Why came later, preceded by them asking me if I'd reached any conclusions about why on my own. In this case, I hadn't thought about why and after that long silence I answered my father with my first guess as to why, "Because I'm a cyclist."
Explaining it to my girlfriend was easy, though she did insist I shave no less frequently than every other day to prevent the remarkable prickliness of my stubble from sanding her legs to a rashy pulp.
In truth - if I had my druthers I wish the hair would never come back. I find it cooler, more comfortable, and think it looks better. I also remember the pain of of raspberries oozing and scabbing over hairy legs from my baseball years so the practical aspects of heat reduction and road rash management also play a part.
@teleguy57
That reminds me I did see Andy H here on Maui, he was riding on a tour with Ryder and I believe he had furry legs. He was so laid back, no flash, only a cycling fanatic would have recognized him.
@TheAnvil
You were lucky to have some guidance by the oldsters, who I bet were all of 18. I believe Frank's fucking father showed/told him to do it! How is that?
@Gianni
That explains A LOT!
When attending parties populated with non-cycling folk, when they hear you are a bike racer they would
immediately ask 2 questions:
1. do you think Lance doped?
2. do you shave your legs?
Obviousy, #1 is no longer in play, so all the attention is placed squarely on the guns.
56 years old and have been shaving for 30 years. Now, when I wait a few days in between shaves is when I get asked " Have you quit cycling"? Guns still look great at my advanced age!
@TheAnvil
@TheAnvil
I had a very similar experience. I was 16, and a butcher in our little town was the only cyclist I knew. I hung to his wheel by a thread. There were certain truths.
Racers used Sewups.
We shaved our legs.
Campagnolo was the only option.
Helmets were stupid.
We hated Tourers.