So recently I have had the opportunity to be in, around, or the brunt of several conversations regarding the removal of hair from ones legs…men in particular…this is a topic that often raises eyebrows, sometimes from the female folk, but mostly from the male persuasion who look at you like you have on a dress and mascara – and those are the nice guys. After having endured these comments and insults, and in vain have tried to come up with the easiest lines to use to explain, I have decided to make this next blog entry on the topic. I have read many an article about the benefits, some about the lack thereof, but recently I found a very cool article that simply listed the GOOD reasons to go sans hair, and the BAD reasons as well…though I will tell you in advance that the final out come of the article, was that “everybody doing it”…so there was no support in for the DO NOT DO IT crowd…J. It was titled: 5 reason why you should shave your legs (that have nothing to do with aerodynamics) and I have taken the liberty of taking some excerpts and added some of my own thoughts as well.
First a couple of wrong reasons:
To ride faster (due to better aerodynamics.)-yes maybe for the water portion of your event there would be some microscopic difference, but the fact of the matter is that it does nothing for wind resistance, and has not even had many studies on the subject because any difference would be so minute that it would render it pointless.
For sheer joy and excitement. (Wait was that “For the ‘shear’ joy of it?)…doesn’t really need much of an explanation now does it?
Now the GOOD reasons:
Reason 1 - To look good. Wait a minute, did I read that right? Yes…think about it, This is what it’s all about right here. You can have a fancy, sleek helmet, and top-of-the-line bike, but if you pair hairy legs with tight spandex, the cycling fashion police will be forced to haul you away. (Best of all, hairless legs emphasize your muscles. With hair, your legs will still be big, but once they’re shaved, every little ripple in your muscles stands out for the world to see.)
Reason 2 - To feel like a pro. All the pros shave their legs. Not once have I seen a professional racer (on the road, at least) that foregoes shaving, and even the majority of recreational roadies and amateur racers shave their legs. If you shave yours, too, it makes you feel like part of the group. You’ll feel faster, too, just like the pros. Heck, you might even get motivated enough that your mind is driven to ride faster. This is a placebo effect, not aerodynamics, but it could very well result in faster times! And not only do you feel like a pro, you just feel good. That’s probably because hairless legs keep you cooler (think of hairy legs like wearing a cotton t-shirt.) Plus, you actually “feel” the air moving around your legs, which is very neat.
Reason 3 - To treat road rash easily. The less you race or do group rides, the less you’ll have to worry about road rash, but it’s always a concern. But if you do a lot of group rides and races, there’s a good chance you’ll experience road rash first-hand.The previous two reasons (looking good and feeling good) will help you on each ride, but the (hopefully) rare cases when you get road rash will be the most memorable “I’m so glad I shaved my legs!” moments. That’s because cleaning your raw skin is much easier if you don’t have hair in the way. Not to mention, the hair will likely trap more dust, dirt, bugs, and gravel in your wounds. If you end up in the hospital to get your hairy road rash cleaned out, chances are a tired, unsympathetic nurse will bust out the wire brush to scrub your wounds. Ouch! So in this case, leg shaving is kind of like wearing a helmet - you hope you don’t need it, but it’s there just in case. Smooth legs also come in handy if you’re a mountain biker and get scratched up or cut; then you can put a band-aid on your wounds without it pulling out your hair (which can sometimes be more painful than the cut itself!)
Reason 4 - For better massages. Again, this probably doesn’t matter on a day-to-day basis (unless you’re a pro,) but getting a massage feels so much better if your legs are smooth. Part of the reason is that the hair gets sticky and creates friction, which makes it harder for the masseuse, which translates into a sub-par experience for you.Try it yourself: rub some massage oil on a hairy leg, and then do a little self-massage. Then try the same thing on a smooth leg, and you’ll see a big difference. Your hands will glide easily, and it will feel oh so good!
Reason 5 - To deter ticks. If you ride in the woods (or even on back roads,) ticks can jump off weeds and grab your leg hair, then make their way around your body until they decide to bite. Smooth legs don’t leave them much to grab onto, so it’s less likely that a tick will stay on your body. It will also be easier to spot a tick if there isn’t a mass of hair obscuring your vision.
So there you have it. Five solid reasons to shave your legs that have nothing to do with aerodynamics. I hope all those out there who have been on the fence trying to decide will find solace in knowing that you will have brothers (and sisters) out there with you, look at it like a support group of sorts. Plus now with your handy list of reason (excuses) to give them, what do have to be afraid of? Other then the damaged caused to your partners legs, and your super expensive compression socks, by your NEW found friend…leg stubble…J
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