Bicycle Riders and Shaved Legs

Leg shaving is fairly common in the cycling world. However, it’s a personal decision. The decision to shave your legs can be for a variety of reasons. Some cyclists use it to celebrate a goal that they’ve reached, a race won or entered, a century ridden, etc. Here are some of the many reasons given by cyclists for shaving their legs:

Timing

This is probably the most often touted benefit of leg shaving, shaving time off of a race. However, the advance you gain in aerodynamics is so incredibly slight that you would probably only notice this in a time trial on the track as opposed to a road race.

Healing

Ah, road rash. Every cyclist will eventually experience this “joy” of cycling after a nasty fall. The presence of hair on the legs makes cleaning the wound more difficult. It can also increase the chances of infection.

Massage

Many cyclists are fond of massage. Massage is reportedly less painful for those without leg hair and easier to perform, though we all know men and women who don’t shave their legs and still receive massages.

Tradition

For years cyclists have simply shaved their legs.

How to Shave Your Legs

If you’ve never shaved your legs, the first time will be the longest process. Some recommend, particularly if you have a lot of hair or longer hair, that you trim the hair with clippers before using a razor. If you decide not to use clippers that is fine as well, but the razors will dull faster and you will require more razors.

Take a bag of disposable razors or a replaceable razor with multiple fresh heads and a can of shaving cream, most find cream works better than soap and helps with sensitive skin, and lather up one leg. Be very careful around the ankle, the knee cap and the top of your shin, particularly if you have prominent bones. These areas are more likely to be cut than others. Be sure to change the blades or exchange razors frequently. Repeat the procedure with the other leg.

When you are done cleanse the entire leg to be sure that you remove dirt out of any nicks or cuts that you have. This helps prevent infection in these tiny wounds.

Usually shaving once or twice a week will keep your legs mostly hair free. Though there are cyclists who prefer to shave more or less frequently. There isn’t a written rule about how often to shave. Some cyclists don’t shave their legs year round, preferring to shave only during the core of the riding season.

Waxing and other hair depilatory creams can also be used, though may cause skin irritation.

The big question some cyclists have is where to stop shaving! This is another personal decision. Some choose to stop just past where their bike shorts hit, so that all exposed skin is hairless. Others choose to shave to where their thigh meets the truck of their body. If you choose to shave, let your preference be what guides you. I might recommend shaving less at first, you can always take off more later. Remember that the hair that grows back will cause some itching and potentially ingrown hairs in tight spots, so be mindful of areas like the groin and where bike clothing may be tighter.