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 shave them about every 4-5 days. Year round.
After 25 years of cycling, I just started doing this about six months ago. It feels great, looks great, and makes me ride better (well, maybe). I need no other reason.
Got made fun of mercilessly in grad school. Such are the trials.
As Homer Simpson said, I'm kind of like Jesus but not in the sacrilegious way.
In the summer I shave my legs 2 times a week, in the winter just once a week (the day I have my group indoor training ;) )
Met Will Frischkorn in Colorado a couple of summers ago. He and his wife had biked over the divide from Boulder to Fraser and were staying at the same B&B as us. They carried a change of clothes and toothbrushes, and biked back over the next day. Will had that hairy mountain biker look.
BTW, very cool folks. If you're in Boulder you have to check our their charcuterie "Cured.". Amazing flavors.
Met Andy H in Boulder on the same trip. I was so in awe I didn't even notice if he had shaved legs or not....
I love the feel of my shaven legs. So smooth ... until they are not and then they itch like a bitch!!! But, just reminds me to shave again.
And Gianni, Chapeau for the Peter Van Petegem shout-out! Love that guy! He was tough as nails and rode during a very rough time with Johann Museeuw in his prime and Tommeke up-and-coming.
And fuck if he wasn't ripped to shreds as well! Looks at all four of those guns!
!
I will confess that I stop shaving around mid-November and do not resume until late March. I am just that lazy, plus no one can tell whether they're shaved or not when the tights are worn.
Apparently I've evolved out of hairy leggedness. Instead, I'm blessed with a few nearly invisible wind vector detectors. These optimize drafting sweetspot insertion and report V-locity failure with alarming accuracy and frequency.
I'll never forget the look on my father's face when I came home to visit during college and I had shaved legs and an earring. My father, being an ex-Marine, is never one to mince words or stifle his opinion, but he was silent. He walked away and a short time later returned with a pink razor and my mother's jewelry box. I quickly grew out of the Pantani earring phase, but still shave the guns. When my teammates entered a race near where I grew up, we stayed with my parents that weekend. My father placed a jar of pink razors in the guest bathroom. Most years, my father will stuff a pink razor into my Christmas gift.
Thursday is my shave legs day.
Being WC, can you get away with Rule #33 non-compliance?
http://www.bicycling.com/racing/pro-cycling/peter-sagan-races-tour-de-san-luis-with-gasp-hairy-legs