New To Cycling? Should You Shave Your Legs?!

First of all why on earth do cyclists shave their legs?

Pro cyclists say they shave their legs for 2 reasons:

1. If they crash and cut themselves (otherwise known as road rash) then hairs (which carry germs) might encourage the spread of an infection into the open wound.

2. They receive regular massages (sometimes up to twice a day) and it is much easier to massage a smooth leg than a hairy one.

You, like us, are probably not a Pro so why do so many amateur cyclists shave their legs?

Well, you’re unlikely to be getting a massage anywhere near as often as a Pro anyway we’ve never seen a Sports Massage Clinic with a sign outside saying “shaven bodies only please!”  That rules out reason no. 2.

With reason no. 1 you might be onto something but then if picking up an infection was that likely then wouldn’t all rugby players, footballers, and other sports people do the same?  Well, some do so we’ll let you get away with that one.

Do you want to know why cyclists really shave their legs?

TO LOOK LIKE CYCLISTS!

NOT for aerodynamics!

Even half the pro-pel0ton confess that they think it looks better and, let’s face it, if you feel better about yourself then you’re half way there.  This sport is largely in your head (tell our lungs that!).  When we first shaved our legs we felt like proper cyclists and then when you line up against 50 riders and 2 or 3 look like Chewbacca in lycra then it is hard to take them seriously, in fact we’ll try not to ride behind them in case they haven’t owned a bike for that long!  Your legs will look more muscular and that’s not just vanity it is due to what’s called the refraction of light; pay attention here comes the science bit…….every shape we see is due to the shadows that are formed, not the shape itself.  If light shines onto a hairy muscle then the shadows are not as sharp as the light is deflected slightly and forms various fuzzy lines.  Without hair the shadows are sharper, giving the illusion of more definition (you might intimidate a few people that way!

That’s why bodybuilders shave their entire bodies cos it makes them look more defined and therefore more muscular.

Whether you decide to shave your legs or not that’s up to you but you will be taken more seriously.  If you have long, thick, black hair then please just do it anyway!