5 Reasons Why Cyclists Shave Their Legs (6 photos)

There's a curious fact about cyclists: almost all of them, amateurs and professionals alike, shave their legs... Yes, that's right. And there are several reasons for this.





For the Sake of Beauty



One of the reasons cyclists shave their legs is for aesthetic reasons. Putting aside all stereotypes, you'll agree that shaved legs paired with cycling shorts look much better than hairy ones. The smoothness makes them appear more defined and well-built, while hair, on the contrary, makes them appear a bit sloppy and primitive.

For the sake of tradition





The habit of shaving legs has been established among cyclists for a very long time. Therefore, when modern athletes do it, it can be said that they are following a tradition that has existed for decades. Professionals say that shaved legs are a sign of a cyclist's membership in the elite sport. And the first shave is practically a rite of passage.

For Speed



But how did this tradition even begin? Back in the 1980s, scientists discovered that smooth legs reduce drag by 0.6%. This translates into a speed advantage of approximately 5 seconds per hour at 37 km/h. During races, every second counts for competitors, so they do everything they can to increase their speed: adopt special riding positions, reduce the weight of their bikes, and... shave their legs.

For hygiene



During races, athletes often fall, sustain various injuries, abrasions, and other damage. In such cases, they have to stop and provide emergency medical care—disinfecting abrasions, applying bandages, dressing wounds, etc. This is much easier to do on "clean" skin. It's not for nothing that patients shave areas where surgery is planned.

For convenience



Another reason is comfort, including during recovery. After tough races, cyclists often need to undergo massages or apply special ointments to their legs to relieve muscle pain. Again, this is much easier to do on smooth skin than on hairy skin.