Why Do Cyclist Shave Their Legs

As a cyclist, I’m sure you have been asked this question many times. And I can tell you that there are parts of this country where it is socially unacceptable. Boulder is not one of them; I actually see more men with shaved legs than I do with hair on them. Maybe I need to get out of this town for awhile because it’s gotten to the point where it’s weird for me to see hairy legs.

Anyway, why do you shave your legs?

Personally, I do it for one reason and it’s the same reason I have hair on my legs right now. Massage. And since my girlfriend and I split up, I haven’t been getting them. The hair won't last long now that the season has begun. While on the road, I had a massage therapist tell me they wouldn't rub my legs unless they were cleanly shaven. I couldn't blame her, her hands must get raw with so many riders to massage. Especially at a stage race when thay have a whole team of guys to rub down every night.

The whole reason I thought of this was because I could actually feel the wind blowing through the hair on my legs today. I’m sure it’s just in my head but I felt like it was slowing me down.

What do you think and why do you do it?