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Leg shaving (not what you think!)

9K views 45 replies 31 participants last post by  wzq622 
#1 ·
First, this isn't the same old "should I shave my legs" or "how do I shave my legs" thread that's been beaten to death. It's much less exciting than that!

My mind often ponders odd things while I'm out riding, things like "What the heck is Cheez Whiz, and why does it have an infinite shelf life?" and other useless things. Anyways, I got to thinking about leg shaving, and was wondering what the history is behind it? How long have cyclists been shaving their legs? I see some old TdF photos of cyclists with shaved legs, but I can't imagine taking the straight razor to the legs back at the turn of the century.

All responses are welcome, smart a$$ or serious ;-)
 
#3 ·
OK, here's the story I got back in the early 1960's from a Belgian pro named Frans Pauwels. (Third in the world road championship about 1947 - 48. His cousin Hecktor Middlekamp won the title. He rode the TdF in the same peloton as Louison Bobet BEFORE Bobet became the first rider to win three tours. Bobet told Frans the race was insane, and he'd never ride it again.)

Racers shave their legs because it makes it easier to massage. Also, no hair in the road rash to cause infections, and the bandages are easier to apply and remove without the hair.

My dad pitched a fit. I was about 15, and removed more skin than hair the first time out.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Straight Shooter

Chris T said:
...I can't imagine taking the straight razor to the legs back at the turn of the century...
Why not? Actually I use a straight razor when removing the layer of winter fur of if I waited too long between summer shaves. The straight razor does not clog like the disposables (even when using Cheez Whiz). A straight razor is really not that difficult, just take your time. I do usually use a disposable around my knees and ankles.
 
#7 ·
I would think that PIE would be better than Cheeze Whiz.

Really, no one serious about leg shaving, Alfredo Binda or not, shaves with Cheeze Whiz any more. It's all about the PIE.

Jeez, where've you been.

BT
 
#8 ·
Hmm, Cheez Whiz, so that's what it's used for. At the very least, you'd probably get lots of sprinting practise in from outrunning dogs that catch a whiff of your legs.

Thanks Hardy for the serious answer, but I'm more interested in the history (i.e., how long have cyclists been doing this) rather than the reasoning. It's been done since at least the 50s, but I imagine perhaps further back than that.

KUWJ, you're a braver man than me. My barber uses a straight razor on the back of my neck, and that still makes me feel uneasy!
 
#9 ·
Chris T --

Frans Pauwels had photos of him and his team racing in the 30's. Lots of racing photos from the 30's. Shaved legs. So that's like 70 or 75 yrs ago.

I searched google and couldn't come up with anything germane. But it seems like the pix of the track riders on the old American six day circuit showed the riders with shaved legs.
 
#10 ·
Chris T said:
How long have cyclists been shaving their legs? I see some old TdF photos of cyclists with shaved legs, but I can't imagine taking the straight razor to the legs back at the turn of the century.

I asked this question about 8 months ago here. I was serious too. One poster responded that shaving body hair goes back to Roman times. Thinking about it, I can believe it. It certainly predates 1900.

Hardy mentioned Franz Pawels (sp, sorry). He's was a legend here in Oregon for many years. He's greatly missed.
 
#11 ·
As far as "recreational cyclist" goes, I dont really remember shaving legs as an "in" thing 20 years ago. Maybe it just wasn't popular in my circle of friends. But if you really get beyond the "easier to message", "hair in the road rash" excuse, I think this is more of a 1990's/ 2000's "Metro Sexual" thing than an actual necessity. Now I don't expect everyone to step up and readily admit that, but I mean c'mon, how many of you are getting a daily message, and just how much road rash are you really nursing?


recreational cyclcist = riding is not your fulltime employment.
 
#12 ·
Metro-sexual thing?? No way

Bryan said:
As far as "recreational cyclist" goes, I dont really remember shaving legs as an "in" thing 20 years ago. Maybe it just wasn't popular in my circle of friends. But if you really get beyond the "easier to message", "hair in the road rash" excuse, I think this is more of a 1990's/ 2000's "Metro Sexual" thing than an actual necessity. Now I don't expect everyone to step up and readily admit that, but I mean c'mon, how many of you are getting a daily message, and just how much road rash are you really nursing?


recreational cyclcist = riding is not your fulltime employment.
It is a hetero-sexual thing. At first, my wife hated...I mean HATED...my shaved legs. To her, it was "weird". Now she loves them. Commented that it would feel really strange to her if I ever let them grow out. Nothing metro about that buddy boy....all hetereo. Cleanly shaved legs = happy wife = nookie. Say no more.

Besides, in my shower, there is one shampoo and a bar of soap. I shave with soap and shampoo. Metro sexuals will have conditioner, two types of shampoo, numerous body soaps, body creams, loofa's (spelling??), etc....I gathered this data from a metrosexual discussion several months agao on this board.
 
#13 ·
This 1914 photo of Norman Anderson sure looks like he had shaved legs to me. Then again, maybe the white glare hides the hair!

<img src="https://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c10000/3c12000/3c12600/3c12678v.jpg">
 
#17 ·
Obviously you feel threatened by the label "Metro-Sexual". And who wouldn't? It's not the most manly of titles. It doesn't mean you are gay, it just means that certain characteristics you hold as a heterosexual male could be construed as stereotypically gay. Shaving your legs is just that. You don't have to live in a large metropolitan area to be "Metro", no more than you have to live in San Francisco to be gay. You can live in backwoods Sweet Home Alabama and still be "Metro". Pampering yourself with an occasional message is a favorite among "Metro-Sexual" men. Also a main reason stated here for shaving your legs. Of coarse your wife will love your legs shaved. Women love to hang out with Gay men because they have more in common with a gay man than straight. So why wouldn't they love sharing something as intimate as leg shaving with their Metro man? To justify shaving your legs because the Pro's do it is silly. It's like buying the same pair of shoes as Mike, so you can jump higher.

P.S. Don't hate the messenger. Im just pointing out the obvious.

P.P.S. No offense to Gay men intended above. But, it's no secret that Hetero men do not like to be mistaken as being gay.


PaulCL said:
It is a hetero-sexual thing. At first, my wife hated...I mean HATED...my shaved legs. To her, it was "weird". Now she loves them. Commented that it would feel really strange to her if I ever let them grow out. Nothing metro about that buddy boy....all hetereo. Cleanly shaved legs = happy wife = nookie. Say no more.

Besides, in my shower, there is one shampoo and a bar of soap. I shave with soap and shampoo. Metro sexuals will have conditioner, two types of shampoo, numerous body soaps, body creams, loofa's (spelling??), etc....I gathered this data from a metrosexual discussion several months agao on this board.
 
#18 ·
Bryan said:
Pampering yourself with an occasional message is a favorite among "Metro-Sexual" men.
Oh for the love of god, someone's got to say it. It's spelled MASSAGE.
 
#20 ·
it looks good

honestly, most serious cyclists shave because pro's and other fit cyclists they seen shave....the dominoe effect..it says you take your riding serious, and it identifies you to others.."that guy shaves, must be a cyclist" by the way, I've seen gay guys in shorts before, and none of then had shaved legs..so equating one to the other is, well illogica.....and then there's the obvious reason, the reason why body builders shave.....to show more muscle tone, that is earned from being fit, and ripped!


Bryan said:
Obviously you feel threatened by the label "Metro-Sexual". And who wouldn't? It's not the most manly of titles. It doesn't mean you are gay, it just means that certain characteristics you hold as a heterosexual male could be construed as stereotypically gay. Shaving your legs is just that. You don't have to live in a large metropolitan area to be "Metro", no more than you have to live in San Francisco to be gay. You can live in backwoods Sweet Home Alabama and still be "Metro". Pampering yourself with an occasional message is a favorite among "Metro-Sexual" men. Also a main reason stated here for shaving your legs. Of coarse your wife will love your legs shaved. Women love to hang out with Gay men because they have more in common with a gay man than straight. So why wouldn't they love sharing something as intimate as leg shaving with their Metro man? To justify shaving your legs because the Pro's do it is silly. It's like buying the same pair of shoes as Mike, so you can jump higher.

P.S. Don't hate the messenger. Im just pointing out the obvious.

P.P.S. No offense to Gay men intended above. But, it's no secret that Hetero men do not like to be mistaken as being gay.
 
#21 ·
Shaved Arms

Always wondered why cyclist do not shave their arms. Thanks for the answer Mike.

3465mike said:
...and then there's the obvious reason, the reason why body builders shave.....to show more muscle tone, that is earned from being fit, and ripped!
Speaking of useless upper bodies, how many roadies does it take to screw in a light bulb?
None, they just lift their jersey and let their pale, white belly illuminate the room.
 
#22 ·
Bryan said:
P.P.S. No offense to Gay men intended above. .
why is there an assumption that gay men shave their legs anymore then anyone else? to be honest i don't know of any gay men that shave their legs. as a matter of fact some men i know are into very hairy men. most, if not all the leg shaving men i know prefer women. go figure.
 
#23 ·
3465mike said:
honestly, most serious cyclists shave because pro's and other fit cyclists they seen shave....the dominoe effect..it says you take your riding serious, and it identifies you to others.."that guy shaves, must be a cyclist" by the way, I've seen gay guys in shorts before, and none of then had shaved legs..so equating one to the other is, well illogica.....and then there's the obvious reason, the reason why body builders shave.....to show more muscle tone, that is earned from being fit, and ripped!
I think you hit the nail on the head. Among "serious cyclists", having hairly legs puts you outside of the "inner circle" of acceptance. We show we are committed and serious when we keep the gams shaved. No one likes to admit this, but there is plenty of truth to it.

One thing that trumps a set of shaved legs is strong, consistant performance combined with smooth, skilled riding.
 
#24 ·
Metrosexual label

Bryan said:
Obviously you feel threatened by the label "Metro-Sexual". And who wouldn't? It's not the most manly of titles. It doesn't mean you are gay, it just means that certain characteristics you hold as a heterosexual male could be construed as stereotypically gay. Shaving your legs is just that. You don't have to live in a large metropolitan area to be "Metro", no more than you have to live in San Francisco to be gay. You can live in backwoods Sweet Home Alabama and still be "Metro". Pampering yourself with an occasional message is a favorite among "Metro-Sexual" men. Also a main reason stated here for shaving your legs. Of coarse your wife will love your legs shaved. Women love to hang out with Gay men because they have more in common with a gay man than straight. So why wouldn't they love sharing something as intimate as leg shaving with their Metro man? To justify shaving your legs because the Pro's do it is silly. It's like buying the same pair of shoes as Mike, so you can jump higher.

P.S. Don't hate the messenger. Im just pointing out the obvious.

P.P.S. No offense to Gay men intended above. But, it's no secret that Hetero men do not like to be mistaken as being gay.
Nope, never labeled as such. Maybe 'cause my ties sometime don't go with my suit or my shoes don't always match my belt. Or maybe becuase some of my fashions are woefully out of date.

I have a couple of co-workers who heartily embrace the "metro-sexual" label. One guy, named Chris - married, two kids, loves the label. He's proud that he has a half dozen hair products in his shower. I just don't get it. It's not the fear of a 'gay' label. I don't care. I just don't understand the need to take an hour to get ready in the morning: shower (one shampoo), shave in the shower, towel off, comb the hair (sans hairdryer), put on the clothes, grab breakfast and out the door in 20 minutes. Primping?? If you do it, then OK, but don't be proud of it. After my coworker, Chris, proudly described all of his "metrosexual" habits (not gay, but just overly concerned with his fashion, his scent, his hair (not a strand out of place), etc..) , I very publicly suggested he should take a peak in his pants to re-check his gender. He was not amused, I was, as were others.
 
#25 ·
Hardy Cyclamens said:
OK, here's the story I got back in the early 1960's from a Belgian pro named Frans Pauwels. (Third in the world road championship about 1947 - 48. His cousin Hecktor Middlekamp won the title. He rode the TdF in the same peloton as Louison Bobet BEFORE Bobet became the first rider to win three tours. Bobet told Frans the race was insane, and he'd never ride it again.)

Racers shave their legs because it makes it easier to massage. Also, no hair in the road rash to cause infections, and the bandages are easier to apply and remove without the hair.

My dad pitched a fit. I was about 15, and removed more skin than hair the first time out.
Hey, my name is Frans!
 
#26 ·
Hey, don't you guys know this is one of those subjects you're not supposed to be talking about? Most of the long-time posters have already given their opinions about this - some of them will get mad if you don't just search the previous threads to see what they said and leave it at that.
 
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