sstang13

Ok so I joined a team near my home that takes racing basically seriously, they are one of five centers that train like this for cycling in all of Canada. So ya, pretty serious people. Anyway, the coach put the spot light on me yesterday in front of about 30 of us. It was my second time there and he said I was the only one with hair on my legs and that I have to shave them. I thought it was a joke until I looked around. I am the only one. He didn't bust my balls about it or force me to, only mentioned it at that time. But one kid there came up to me 2-3 times during our 2 hour ride and kept asking/telling me to.

Apparently it's a "chick magnet". I am very skeptical. The problem with shaving my legs is:

1. I honestly don't want to shave my legs. I love my hairy legs.
2. I'm 16 years old, and I'm racing for my very first time tomorrow and wont be racing until next year when the season starts again.
3. I see that a lot of the racers on this forum that are in cat 4-1 and/or race like a second job don't shave there legs.

So working off of number 3, is it really THAT bad if I don't shave? And will my coach make me? I honestly don't want to get made fun of/lose all of my hair I think that I have a choice and no one can tell me what and what not to do. I've Read the "To shave or not to shave" thread, but what are your opinions of what I can/should do. I told the kid there that if I make it professional or actually go somewhere in racing (ie. Provincials, nationals etc) than I will shave, but no way in hell will I do that now.

Seattle Forrest

Then don't.

pallen

It doesn't matter. Even more fun if you win with hairy legs.

wphamilton

You should ask in the road racing forum, they'll probably tell you to do it because it's tradition. Or not, I don't speak for them.

But, no it won't help your speed. It's not a chick magnet, as far as I know. You don't want to, then don't.

Ultraslide

Just man up and try it. You might like it. Watch Breaking Away a few times to get in the mood. LOL

K&K_Dad

if you don't want to then don't. I personally like it. Feels better, but my wife has a severe distaste and therefore I don't shave anymore. If you don't wanna do it, it's your body.

Rekless1

I do it.

But don't if you don't want to, its not a big deal and has NOTHING to do with performance really. But depending on where you ride, it's way cooler (temperature wise), and it's so much better should you pick up a case of road rash. But it's certainly not life changing.

FWIW, I don't actually "Shave" , I use clippers. Fast, Painless and effortless.

wrr1020

If you don't want to then don't. If you're on the fence about it, shave it and see what you think. It's only hair, it'll grow back if you don't like it.

Phantoj

Your coach told you to. Seems like you either have to or else find another team. What am I missing?

SCochiller

Incorrect.

Commodus

hahaha that's a really funny image of you standing in the middle of all your teammates staring at your hairy legs.

If you do, you might fit in a bit better. It's not exactly the end of the world to stand out in a group of skinny hairless dudes, granted!

waterrockets 

Screw that. I don't shave my legs, and I've been racing for 20 years. I have had them shaved for several years in the past, but who has time to shave these things? Takes about 10 minutes every other day.

I don't get comments about it too often, and I've won lots of races with hairy legs, and only one race shaved

Doohickie

You know why racers shave, correct? It's a lot easier to clean road rash if there's no hair involved.

no_safe_HAVEN

Well if coach says yo have to then you may want to just do it. Thats like saying im going to be on the swim team but coach says i have to wear a speedo but im just going to wear boardshorts. You're 16 and have yet to learn that there are going to be a LOT of people that can are going to tell you what to do? Wait till yoiu get married and have a real job.

NINJAed ^^^
And really its not about speed or aero or looks... Its about less pain. When you hit the deck. And you will hit the deck at some point. Road rash is a lot more pleasant (well as pleasant as missing flesh can be) to clean out with out having to deal with also rippnig out hair as you try to scrub. Ive wrecked both shaved and unshaved and the rash was worse when the hair was ripped out along with the flesh.

Gruesome I know, but its the truth.

surgeonstone

Exactly, then don't and quit your whining.

pallen

I've had road rash. The hair is fairly insignificant. That's just what men who shave their legs say to make it sound manly

Mike F

If the coach is adamant about it, he is the coach. If you dont and he wants it, this could be seen as a challenge to his leadership which rarely ends well for the new guy.

sstang13

I couldn't care less how I look, nobody there chirps me because of it, and if they did, I wouldn't be offended, I also only see them twice a week when I can. Unless I 100% absolutely have to shave them, I won't. My mom told me since I don't want to, I don't love cycling? If I end up having to, and don't like it, how fast will it grow back do you think? Not like 2 months right? I still can't grow a moustache and I don't want to have to live with that on my legs as well.

Commodus

hahaha. that's even funnier. some middle-aged coach staring at this young boy's legs and telling him he 'has to' shave them.

wait, that's less funny, and a bit more creepy.

canam73

Does your mom tell you to HTFU? Just curious.

Commodus

It grows back fast. If you want to try it, don't worry about it. Two weeks tops and it'll look perfectly normal.

Seattle Forrest

Oh the sweet, sweet irony.

Seattle Forrest

I think Commodus just solved your problem for you.

waterrockets 

Fixed that for you. There may be myths in other directions, but it's really just for the looks. Maybe massage if you're getting a real massage every day.

Road rash is just not a problem. Go get in the shower with a dark washcloth. Soap it up and scrub the hell out of everything. Shave the area if needed (I've shaved freshly scrubbed road rash before, no additional pain at all -- use a new blade).

rangerdavid

doesn't matter if you shave or not. I'm going to laugh as I go by you anyway...............