shave legs?
Am a "runner" so have never done the shave legs thing.
Folks have strong thoughts on this?
I gather any bike advantage would be mainly mental.
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Am a "runner" so have never done the shave legs thing.
Folks have strong thoughts on this?
I gather any bike advantage would be mainly mental.
Comments
You may or may not care about this but, in my opinion, adopting the habits and accompanyments of "real cycling" -- clean bike, quality, clean, matching kit, good handling skills, can fix a flat in under 2', shaved legs -- is all part of becoming a better cyclist. If you're going to spend hundreds of hours doing a thing, you might as well get good, and look good, while doing that thing
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Did I mention that chicks dig it? (watch, chickas are going to drop in here and shoot us down...)
It's a tribal thing.
Mike
1, the post race massage gets much more comfortable :-)
2, newly shaved legs feel the wind etc. much more when cycling...hence you feel like you are going faster
3, it just looks better, and sends a signal of being a more seasonned cyclist/triathlete
Of the three, the second one is really the reason why you should do it.,.. In an Ironman, every little helps, and feeling you are going fast, will (all things being equal) make you go faster....
Yes, but you look like a "Fred" the 99.9% of your remaining time in the real world that you're not cycling. Just keeping things in the proper perspective.
Thanks all.
So I may do it. Once I've figured out the logistics.
Though wife not too excited by the idea, and there are no other women I'm trying to impress. Other than my mom (oedipal discussion for another time).
So if I'm going down the backside hills at St. George, the 50 mph will feel like 60 mph? Yikes.
Fred.
@Robin -- One other reason for doing so is that (allegedly) it is easier to slip your wetsuit off after the swim.
As for me, I shave my legs for one simple reason: my wife likes it. 'Nuff said.
Honestly, I like the way my legs look and feel when they are shaved but I am not married and my prospects at becoming so are very much subject to the whims and subjective opinions of the female populace. Some chicks dig it, some chicks very much don't. In the end, I'm pretty sure it's purely pyschological for me. I shave them only in prep for major races or major cycling events. If I lived in a more active / more accepting community, I'd probably shave more often during competitive season.
Not only do your legs look more cut, your well deserved M-Dot tattoo pops out more. You also look like less of a Fred in the pool.
In Japan a few years ago I went to an isolated rural bath house. When I opened the bath door to step in, quite a few locals jumped up and ran for the hills upon seeing the Western gorilla stepping into their bath.
You can still have hairy legs and drop the hammer on a roadie ride and know how to handle a bike.
I know plenty of roadies with shaved legs that are weak cyclists.
I did it last year for the first time. Didn't notice much of a difference. Haven't kept up with it since IMLP. Might do it again this year, might not.
Dave
I don't have any civilian, non-cyclist/triathlete friends so I don't know anything else.
Now having said that, out of curiosity, how would one go about the initial shave? Electric trim than razor? Shave with or against the grain? You know, in case anyone ever asked me....
Also, be warned that there MIGHT be some razor burn/bumps near the chamois area if you go that high up. I do.
http://www.shaveeverywhere.com/
Great site!
I'll share a lesson learned from my personal experience: if you've got a skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis, do NOT use nair or any other depillatory lotion/cream. It's basically the same as a chemical burn - and is NOT pleasant.
Oddly, my legs and the top of my head are about the only places I can grow hair. Shave my legs about twice a week and my face maybe once extra. I am very lucky that the big hairy chest look is no longer in fashion because plucking my 5 chest hairs is easier than chest hair implants. :-)
Um, I think shaved legs on guys are sexy. I didn't think I would until hubby started shaving his. . . .
However, your rugby pals may disagree. It may be more important to please them than anyone else.
I would shave my legs again but the hair seems to grow back as I finish shaving
"I wouldn't recommend it: women don't like when stubble rubs up against their stubble."
LOL.
If you shave 'em, you gotta keep it up or stay away. Nothing like getting poked by a leg full of stubble in the night.
I think it definitely helps keeping you cooler in addition to the other reasons mentioned. Here is a link that shows technique/products that worked for me. The Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm pictured is great.
http://coachlevi.com/cycling/how-to...-cyclists/