Shaving...

[SteelBlue]

Originally Posted by bluegoose

The only valid reason for shaving legs is as hippie mentioned - to make wound care easier after road rash.

But what about Creekster's point regarding the arms? I think I agree with Creekster. People do it because they like the way it looks. Beyond that any benefit seems weak to me.

[bluegoose]

For me, and probably most people, there is no comparison between the amount of hair on my arms and my legs, especially my elbows where I would be most likely to make contact with the pavement.

Have you ever tried to take a bandage off a hairy leg or arm? I slid several times on artificial turf last year playing softball and ended up with some nasty burns on my leg. The worst part was by far the hair and the bandages.

But I agree - most people do it to make their calves look nice and shapely. Seriously, aside from hard core racers, how many of us rec riders have actually taken a spill on the road? That is, aside from not being able to get the cleat out of the pedal when you first go clipless.

[SteelBlue]

Originally Posted by bluegoose

Seriously, aside from hard core racers, how many of us rec riders have actually taken a spill on the road? That is, aside from not being able to get the cleat out of the pedal when you first go clipless.

Wow, that really happens to people? I can't imagine.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by bluegoose

But I agree - most people do it to make their calves look nice and shapely. Seriously, aside from hard core racers, how many of us rec riders have actually taken a spill on the road? That is, aside from not being able to get the cleat out of the pedal when you first go clipless.

I must confess to having been hit, having hard core falls, and needing to use the bandage.

Serious road rash hurts like hell.

I shave, cuz some hard body girls commented how they love my calves. That was enough for me. If a hard body gal compliments any part of me, the head above my shoulders swell.

For us triguys, lack of hair makes it easier to remove the wetsuit as well. An added benefit not originally contemplated.

[DirtyHippieUTE]

Originally Posted by bluegoose

Seriously, aside from hard core racers, how many of us rec riders have actually taken a spill on the road? That is, aside from not being able to get the cleat out of the pedal when you first go clipless.

I've got two "big" slides under my belt and a few minor dings. One was at a pretty good speed. I was going downhill and around a very slight curve when I hit one of those patches of "goo" pavement that get really slick when it's over 100F in SLC.

I probably slid for about 20' it was not a happy time.

The 2nd eat was going down Emmigration Canyon when a big truck decided to brush just a little too close. The wind made me wobble and "Goose" and I had a flame out from the jetwash... Goose hit his head on the canopy when we ejected but fortunately for me I had shaved my legs and the slide didn't hurt as bad as the last time. Sometimes I still hold on to Goose's dog tags and hope he'll talk to me.

[creekster]

I have taken more than a few spills over the years and have had road rash on just about all parts of my body. The worst i ever had it was once when I was hit by a car (the car's fault; ran a stop sign) and I took a spectacular flying roll. I have moderately hairy legs, or at least I did before the fall, but the hair on just about all of my extremities was gone after I finished rolling/sliding/skidding. But his was not the real problem. The real probelm was where I had skidded on my shoulder which sort of melded my jersy and my flesh together. Very messy to clean out.

My point, and yes there is one, is that the medicinal benefits, to the extent they exist at all, are very minimal IMO. The main benefit is that riders seem to like it, for whatever reason. SO if you like it, and it makes you feel faster or better or cooler or more hygenic, or safer or more attractive or whatever, then do it. And I freely admit that just becasue my opinion is mine it is still very possibly wrong.

I have never had to pull a wet suit on or off in the heat of battle, however, so maybe Arch's comments about tri-guys is valid; I have no experience in that area.