I can truthfully say that until sometime last year I never thought this day would come. For years I was the bike touring guy. Ortlieb panniers, sturdy shoes and just about anything from Mountain Equipment Coop were the signs that identified me.
Well good reader, although I still love my MEC, I’ve turned a corner. Since moving to France a couple years ago I’ve done far more day rides than touring, so evolution was inevitable, I guess. You’re aware that I now have a new road bike that wouldn’t have any idea what to do with a pannier; new shoes, new tight shirts with big back pockets, and now…the final symbolic (and it is symbolic, since I can’t think of any good reason to do it) task – I’ve shaved my legs.
First, this is what it all looked like before the operation. Parental guidance is advised.
And here’s how I did it. Lacking clippers, or the spare resources to buy them, Shoko took the scissors to my hair. Surprisingly, this worked reasonably well, but took ages.
Then I hopped in the shower with a bucket, shaving cream and a razor and proceeded to contort myself in uncomfortable and tricky positions to ensure all sides, nooks and crannies were shaved.
So there it is. I’ve crossed over no-man’s land, made the leap, fell off the fence, etc. At least from the tan line down, I’m a cyclist now.
The Vicious Cycle 
See, I said you were tough!
I see you lost weight – nice!
I hope you were referring to my sculpted muscles, but I have a feeling you are talking about the few grams I lost by shaving all that hair off.
Oh boy !!!! I was a little concerned about how much you shaved off !!!! and from where… but it is all dead weight….take it off !!!
wind resistance…there has to be a formula somewhere on the net !!
Definitely a new, tingly feeling on the bike now. I hope you’re right about the performance angle, but somehow I think it’s really a cosmetic issue…
Congratulations. I guess! It’s too late now, but consider this: how absolutely cool would it be to drop all those riders who, before the race, were sneering at your hairy legs?
Best of luck to you – I think you’re going to have a fantastic race season!
More likely that my poor placing would be fit my hairy legs, but thanks for the vote of confidence!
I found it ….. deals with cycling… (drag force)=-b*(speed)^2.
here is the website reference..
http://www.travelkb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/rv/3583/Wind-resistance-formula
and then there is this
Why Bikers Shave -Shaved legs serve several purposes for cyclists:According to Bryan Roberts, an instructor at the Sports Technology Institute at Loughborough University in the UK, about two-thirds of the aerodynamic drag caused by cyclists comes from their bodies — and it can easily be reduced by “wearing a smooth suit or by shaving the skin.”
by the way .. the best reason is that other cyclist like it LMAO !!!!
I’m going with the last reason, bro.
Excellent!
Soon you’ll be a really real roadie and shudder whenever your legs get hairy, or shudder at the thought of it.
I want to get mine lazered.
Tim
Thanks, Tim. I can understand what you mean. The stubble is irritating!