Silly question about shaving

[Luann]

I understand why girl bikers shave their legs, most of us have for years independant of biking activity.

Why do boy bikers shave their legs? Is it to reduce wind drag? If it is, then why don't they shave their arms, too? I would imagine that going hairless on the arms would shave off as much time as going hairless on the legs.

I'm stumped. Cany anyone shine some light on this VERY improtant topic?

[pedalfaster]

Because it's sexxxxxy.

It also helps with identification. How else is a single cycling-gal supposed to know who to hit on? If a guy shaves his arms I think "swimmer" or "body builder" and move on ;P

[fultzie]

I was confused by this too... i mean, it makes sense for swimmers to shave just about everything, because i know hair makes a huge diference on water resistence (literally seconds), but wind resistence in cycling? hmm....
one of the guys on the cycling team here said it's to prevent infections in the case of a nasty fall. apparently guy- hair is thicker and harder to clean out of cuts than girl-hair, and gets all itchy in the bandages (not to mention the pain of ripping a band aid off your hairy leg- ouch!). if a guy wipes out and gashes up his leg it's more likely to get infected if he didn't shave (nice visual there, eh?)
this is just what i've been told... maybe it is just for looks... after all, it's MUCH harder to see the muscle definition on a hairy leg than on a smooth one

[Irulan]

for ease of care of wounds... I was told this over twenty years ago by a roadie roommate who rode for Celestial Seasonings in the Red Zinger... does that date me or what?
Irulan

[MightyMitre]

For the Pro's who get daily massages on their legs, having long leg hair would be get pulled and be painful and make the massures job harder. Not to mention all the massage oils/ ect that would get caught up in the hair. Smooth is easier.

pedalfaster - I use it for as a handy identifcation thing too!

[annie]

All the above reasons, plus it says "I AM a bike rider. I'm part of the team/tribe, whatever. I am committed!" It makes a statement.

Personally, I am glad they do it!

[Hillhugger]

I agree with Fultzie, it has to do with possible infections if wounded. All the guys in our club shave their legs religiously. It is really amazing how much time guys can spend in bathroom - and they complain about us...

And yeah, it definitely looks sexy!

[fultzie]

hee hee, my (female) cycling buddy and I were just talking about the time-in-bathroom thing this weekend. we were at a race with five guys from our team, and trying to figure out what time the wake-up call should be in the morning. the guys were amazed that my friend and I only took 15 min. to throw on jerseys and brush our teeth/hair. they each took twice as long! being outnumbered, my friend and i thought it best not to rub it in...

[MightyMitre]

By-the way- there's a tradition that says you shouldn't shave your legs the night before a big race. It's meant to be bad luck but it's probably got more to do with embrocation stinging on freshly shaved skin or having to turn out with nasty cuts or nicks on your legs.

I'm talking about the guys here - who probably aren't quite so handy with the leg razor. My boyfriend once took chunks out of both knees and had to go around with plasters on his knees for a day. He looked very funny with 2 patches on his knees!