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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I came across and interesting article a while ago about the Specialized team doing preseason wind tunnel testing on gear for an upcoming season. After testing various types of helmets, wheelsets, riding positions, etc... they decided to hold a video and photo shoot to provide some material to their sponsors and the media to show how they were preparing for the season.
Before they would shoot though, the rider doing the testing wanted to shave his legs, as he noted in the article he typically only does so before races and appearances. So the razors came out, and the rider jokingly said they should do a quick test to compare shaved vs not, just for fun, and that maybe they could test out the old debate on whether or not it makes one any faster. It was assumed they might gain a watt or two, but they figured why not see while they were there.
Check out the article for some more backstory, but the results surprised the hell out of them. In spending thousands of dollars on gear and kit to test, the shaved legs actually ended up providing as much of a gain as multiple pieces of new gear together.
Dont mind the site in the link (a tri site) but they had the best writeup on the story I could find again in short notice: http://triathlon.competitor.com/2014/07/photos/secrets-wind-tunnel_102363
Interesting info.
@sthilzy
It's Sags, he actually shaved that morning. That's his 10am shadow..
I get asked all the time. I just say its fashion mainly, it's what cyclists do. But the VMH requests it, and many mates comment on the guns, so it seems popular.
Once a week, and before social gatherings for me, you gotta put your best out there. Out of season/cold season been known to relax the regimen though.
@Beers
And I thought it was the ol' train hairy race light thing... that's the saying yes ? or something like that anyways.
@Neil
I started riding about 11 years ago. I have been shaving my legs for 10 years and one day on a ride about 7 years ago, I came to the realization that my hairy arms looked quite odd compared to my hairless legs.
Been shaving my arms and legs every 2 days or so ever since.
@Buck Rogers
Buck, I'm torn and thank you for the kind offer. If I was up north I'd join you and suffer miserably but I'm down here and can't make it. I want a full report post race though. I will wish for good wet spring weather to make it roubaix like!
@Sparty
Exact opposite in my case. It was mom who objected to shaving and the earring (Sean Yates style in my case), and it was my father the former Marine who said "who gives a shit? let him do it" to both.
Folks can ask me any questions they want & call my decisions whatever the want...but they have to do it during a Rule V ride. Otherwise, I ain't hearin' it.
Willingly spending hours alone in rain, freezing cold, and the wind is about as far from "posing" as I can think of...
Interesting to hear two tales of father's with military backgrounds. My father was in the army and out of all the crazy things I've done (and put him and my mother through), shaving my legs is pretty, pretty low on the scale of Cause for Concern.
@Mabuz
OK, this might actually get me to reconsider my "Full viking mode only" policy. But the gunshow season around here is only about three months at best, so the benefits will be somewhat limited...
@Quasar
he didn't gain 15 watts because of being more aero, he gained 15 watts because he was Looking Fantastic (in regards to being rule 33 compliant, not so much the Tri gid-up). its all the confidence of knowing your Obeying the Rules! and taking that into consideration the benefits would be year round.