what are the benefits of shaving your legs....seriously

daddyELVIS wrote:

mtbtomo wrote:

Pale pastey shaved legs look even worse than pale pastey hairy legs.

....but tanned shaved legs with plenty of miles in them look the business!

Don't believe the reasons given (massage, road rash, aero, etc) - the real reason is that it just looks right.

Hairy legs + lycra = WRONG!!!

Bah ! Legs are for providing power, not looking at. The litmus test for such things should surely be - what would a Klingon do ?

Cyclist wrote:

bikeboy76 wrote:

I don't think hairy legs are dirty, but I do think calf tattoos are as ugly as sin.

I have a calf tattoo

Missed that. See it always gets personal. What would happen if I said it rubs me up the wrong way when I see an 'all the gear no idea' mamil on his colnago C60 topping out at 10mph weaving all over the road and carrying more fat around his calf than his bike weighs!

Oh well..let's bring on the keyboard warrior vitriol.

We should have a UK Road bike members bike cafe get together day. Have a proper discussion. Now that would be interesting. You have to wear your road cc name.

Well I am in. I would really like too meet some of you.

You are aware than calf tattoo isn't about him disliking tattoos, but the oil imprint from the chain ring on the calf.
Idiot, too many people with tattoos like to play the victim straight away, and I saw this with about 40% upper body coverage. People don't like tattoos, get over it.

thorolf wrote:

To shave or not to shave. Each to their own.

I prefer to use leg and arm warmers instead of shaving.

But in the UK we have such poor weather for 2/3 of the year, every opportunity to wear shorts is treasured. That period of the year where we can banish the tights to the back of the cupboard are almost holy. Wearing tights when its not necessary is the work of satan

BBB wrote:

Oh and no, most of women don't "dig it". Get real.

Your legs aren't impressive enough. For me it's like a Diet Coke advert everytime I go out haha

thorolf wrote:

I prefer to use leg and arm warmers instead of shaving. From very light warmers/sun guards in summer, to more warmer (Roubaix, Vuelta fabric etc) ones in winter. I wear them all year round.

For me, this is a much easier way to achieve the same effect as shaving. Vanity doesn't interest me one iota.

I fail to see how you get the same effect? Or what is the same effect you are on about?
I've crashed in knee warmers (leg warmers and tights are not on!) and still ended up with road rash, which was still easier to look after due to shaved legs.

glynr36 wrote:

thorolf wrote:

I prefer to use leg and arm warmers instead of shaving. From very light warmers/sun guards in summer, to more warmer (Roubaix, Vuelta fabric etc) ones in winter. I wear them all year round.

For me, this is a much easier way to achieve the same effect as shaving. Vanity doesn't interest me one iota.

I fail to see how you get the same effect? Or what is the same effect you are on about?

Not sure, but I was reading it as the aero benefits (if any).

Beatnik69 wrote:

I'm not into the shaving thing but how does one abvoid the problem of, umm, one's gentleman's foliage poking through bib shorts?

I take it you're not wearing your shorts a bit low

Scrufftie wrote:

Beatnik69 wrote:

I'm not into the shaving thing but how does one abvoid the problem of, umm, one's gentleman's foliage poking through bib shorts?

I take it you're not wearing your shorts a bit low

Definitely not. I'm talking about poking through the actual fabric.

Beatnik69 wrote:

Scrufftie wrote:

Beatnik69 wrote:

I'm not into the shaving thing but how does one abvoid the problem of, umm, one's gentleman's foliage poking through bib shorts?

I take it you're not wearing your shorts a bit low

Definitely not. I'm talking about poking through the actual fabric.

Perhaps, you need to shave a little higher than most.....or try some different shorts

Beatnik69 wrote:

I'm not into the shaving thing but how does one abvoid the problem of, umm, one's gentleman's foliage poking through bib shorts?

Trim your downstairs area so you don't get that problem. It will also keep your crotch cooler (reducing odor and sweat).

Slap some imac on your legs (dry legs, pre-shower/bath) job done! avoid using it on your crotch (unless your other half has a video recorder handy )

Beatnik69 wrote:

I'm not into the shaving thing but how does one abvoid the problem of, umm, one's gentleman's foliage poking through bib shorts?

Thong?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/8-pack-Strings-thongs-bodywear-size/dp/B00B6F06U...

cavasta wrote:

Beatnik69 wrote:

I'm not into the shaving thing but how does one abvoid the problem of, umm, one's gentleman's foliage poking through bib shorts?

Thong?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/8-pack-Strings-thongs-bodywear-size/dp/B00B6F06U...

I think I'd have some serious 'spider's legs'

Epilators hurt bad but you get used to it and the benefits are that you don't get stubble but soft hairs growing back and you don't have to epilate as often as you'd need to shave.

These "Rules" are amusing http://www.sub5century.org/news/the-40-immutable-rules-of-cycling/ and I particularly like this one:

Rule #17: Legs are to be carefully shaved at all times. If, for some inexplicable reason, your legs are to be left hairy, make sure you can dish out plenty of hurt to your shaved brethren.

abudhabiChris wrote:

I will look at their kit, their bike and their legs to get an initial judgement.

You know that situation when you pass someone on your ride, and they look you up and down before deciding not to acknowledge your friendly greeting?

This comment has brought to mind this exact situation - the feeling of being judged/ subjected to other people's snobbery. Really p*sses me off and it's symptomatic of the bad attitudes that exist in some quarters of cycling.

@Abudhabichris, I'm not suggesting you are a culprit of this, and I get the need to trust prople on a fast group ride or whatever, but you should never judge a book by it's cover..

So what if I have hairy legs? ride with a stem that is not slammed, have black socks, wear a Sky top without being paid by the team to do so, or have committed some other faux pas?

It bears no reflection on me as a person, as a cyclist, or anything.

So stop judging, people!

If people didn't judge books by their covers then Waterstone's would be a very different place...

It's a good analogy in fact. The book cover is part of the initial decision, if you didn't already know the book or author. But once you start reading it you can make a more informed and accurate review.

The fact is, what you do and wear DOES say something about you as a cyclist, person etc.

It doesn't, or shouldn't, affect your value or rights but it does reflect on you.

abudhabiChris wrote:

It's a sign... if someone joins our group ride or I'm in an unfamiliar ride then I want to get some idea of whether people know what they are doing.

It's not for the sake of being judgmental, but for the sake of my safety and my bike's preservation.

Are you serious? Remind me never to come on one of your group rides.