I shave my legs for cycling. Practical or gay?
2006-07-13 21:22:21 · 17 answers · asked by tackelberry88 3 in Sports ➔ Cycling
You're not a poseur if you choose to shave your legs because professional cyclists do so as well. Nor does such behavior define you as gay. There are practical reasons why you might consider shaving your legs but you won't necessarily see any performance benefits because you do. I am an avid cyclist and I'm not gay. I shave my legs because I prefer the aesthetic of my clean-shaven, well-muscled legs and most women I know also appreciate this look on me, but whether other people approve or not is truly immaterial to me. I also believe that I derive some measure, however slight, of aerodynamic improvement. This is probably infinitesimal, but if it makes me a better rider then so be it.
2006-07-18 07:15:50 · answer #1 · answered by metimoteo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some people shave their legs in order to reduce infection after a fall. (Nothing said about the stones, sand and dirt embedded in the wounds) or better yet. Don't fall.
Some people do it to cut down on wind friction to obtain higher speeds. "LOL" like how much will that help.
Some shave for hygiene or just like to feel smooth
Some may be gay but regardless it is a personal thing.
Me.... I'll stay hairy
2006-07-14 07:50:00 · answer #2 · answered by Eldude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shaving is to facilitate deep tissue massage and help with healing road rash. Pros get massage almost everyday. There is almost no aerodynamic advantage at all.
Many non-pro cyclists shave their legs because the pros do (most don't know why the pros do either) and they want to brand themselves as a "serious cyclist." Posers, mostly - unless they fall a lot or have a live-in massage therapist.
2006-07-14 16:53:39 · answer #3 · answered by JHart 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shaving your legs has nothing to do with being gay, but unless your a pro rider and excel in speed there's very little if any benifit or gain in doing so.
2006-07-14 06:59:23 · answer #4 · answered by Ric 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually for those of you that say aurodynamics you're wrong. seriously.
the reason for it...when you are flying at 20+mph, and you FALL...the hair on your legs and arms actually catches the pavement and rips your hair (and skin) right off. It makes road rash 10 times worse.
For mountain bikers-getting a cut or scrape while riding-the surrounding hair holds dirt, sweat and other debris around and in the cut. Shaving your legs prevents infection.
2006-07-14 19:01:56 · answer #5 · answered by cyclepunkgear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i feel faster when my legs are freshly shaved, but i know it's all in my head. every athlete has their little ritual that gives them focus for the performance ahead.
i haven't fallen down for a couple of years now (knock on wood) but when i was doing more criterium racing, i got my fair share of roadrash, and i definitely appreciated the lack of hair when i was peeling off bandages and stuff. i have to go with practical.
now, if you're shaving your legs to put on a dress and pick up men in the local gay bar, i'd have to go with gay.
2006-07-14 21:00:45 · answer #6 · answered by k m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Practically gay. Seriously though, practical.
2006-07-14 04:25:43 · answer #7 · answered by blanchesophiadorothyrose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GAY!
But practical in a totally random twist!
2006-07-14 04:25:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to increase speed. swimmers shave their legs too. practical.
2006-07-14 11:56:29 · answer #9 · answered by Lucy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have oten road rash and i dont shave. Didnt make any difference. Now if you're time-trialing you might want to to be more aerodynamic.
2006-07-14 11:27:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋