Why do male triathletes and cyclists shave their legs?

Triathlon Forum
42

yea use nair instead :stuck_out_tongue:
.

43

rroof, you DON’T stop. Chicks dig that too. OK, I can only speak for my chick, but she’s definitely a fan.

LOL! My “chick” is indifferent now (married 15 years) but I didn’t stop. Chest, stomach, and all …

:wink:

Come on Doc – I just hit 12 years and I still do my part to keep her ‘motivated’!! Of course, that’s how I ended up w/ 3 kids & 1 on the way, so maybe I should revise my thinking…

Wait, what were we talking about again?

44

id love to but if i spent money on another bike while trying to pay for a wedding…the wedding might not happen…hmmmmm

Any comment here would be superfluous…

and if vanity ranks above crash hygiene, you have never had a real crash. Amazing the number of scars you see at bike races, especially MTB and CX.

45

I started because I was disgusted by all the dead bugs that would end up tangled in my leg hair by the end of a long ride. I’ve since developed a disorder, I’m repulsed by the sight of hair on my legs. So here I am in the middle of winter with clean shaven legs. I used to have a good reason but now it’s just vanity.

46

In addition to all of the other awesome reasons given:

  1. helps keep cool
  2. my kids for some reason like to step/stand on my ankles, which pulls the hair out, and hurts
    .
47

aesthetics and functional cleaning, nothing like shaving extra close and putting some lotion on and getting into those satin sheets wearing nothing at night
while playing some Prince tracks on the cd player.

Joey G.

oh and chicks dig it,

48

Why not use Nair everywhere???

49

This is a funny thread to have been posted right now. My girl has been on me to shave and join the club. I’m hesitant because it seems like a lot of work. How long does it take to get used to it? Has anyone cut themself in an awkward place???

The linked thread below should be required reading for any first timer.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1313485;search_string=;#1313485

Brad

50

It’s FRIDAY and I’m Faaahbulous.

51

If you are shaving ‘awkward’ places then obviously your instincts will guide you to a kinder, gentler approach to shaving as well as guide you through the navigation of your razor around said ‘awkward’ places. Now the slices to avoid making are the ones on the back of your knees on those little tendons, your achilles tendon, patellar tendon, ankle bone, shin bone, knee cap…actually any slice you should avoid making, they sting like hades.

Enjoy!

52

O-K, you scared me out of doing it!!!

53

Why not use Nair everywhere???

Shaving is faster / easier for your legs, although Nair is a great way to take it off the first time. Nair is also good for places that wouldn’t be considered razor-friendly :wink:

54

I was wondering about that too…

55

You don’t have to spend big money on a MTB. I’m riding a $400 bike from REI and have a blast.

jaretj

56

Serious:

  1. bandaging after crashes (I’ve never laid a road bike down…I’m just asking for it, huh?).
  2. wetsuit donning/removal- ever felt the neoprene grab and pull at the hair? MUCH easier hairless.
  3. much easier to apply sunblock. I’ve reapplied on the bike- not sure it would be so easy w/ hair.

Seriouser:

  1. Back to that wetsuit/Bodyglide thing- you end up with clumps of Bodyglide in your leg hair, and thats nasty looking.
  2. Ever put on tights and have a bunch of hair sticking out- looks nasty.
  3. I’m a product tester for Dran-o. When I cut off my fur, it clumps in the drain, making my shower the ideal test lab.
57

Because it annoys my wife! Not bad, she just thinks I’m weird sometimes. (She’s right, btw) My 7 year old gets a kick out of it, too.

Main reasons for me:

Ease of sunscreen application
Potential road rash cleanup (don’t crash much, but don’t enjoy scraping road AND hair out of the wound when I do!)

Mike

58

Just after I finally broke down and started shaving (mostly to “join the club”), I had a nasty crash on some wet RR tracks. Shattered my left kneecap to pieces. Before they were about to wheel me in for surgery, an orderly came in to shave the area. He saw that it was already shaved and he looked at me and said, “you saved yourself a world of agony, man.” I can’t imagine what it would have felt like for him to try to shave that area just then. They’d have had to strap me to the bed and put a broom handle between my teeth.

.

59 
Why not use Nair everywhere???

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16-01/st_nair

60

Definition- ripped legs and every single striation bulging out…

61

Skip the nair and use an epilady. At least that is what my wife is recommending to me. I don’t really trust her advice right now, though, since she is pissed that she is the one who has to endure the pain of childbirth in a few months. I don’t know…Maybe she’s trying to get back at me? lol

Seriously, shaving to help with reducing road rash and treating it after it happens is reason enough to get the razor out.