Sunday, June 20, 2010

Hi Jeff, is this better?

Jeff from Dangle The Carrot left this comment on my post Triathlon Gee a few days ago.
June 19, 2010 10:44 AM
BloggerJeff - Dangle The Carrot said...
Dude is that a pic of your gun and your compression socks because if so neither of them is as shocking as the amount of hair on the legs ... you need some manscaping my friend!

Also, you are lucky you didn't grab one of the RockStar Energy Drinks or a Red bull ... he would have tased you on the spot!
When I read the part about the "shocking" amount of hair on my legs, I wasn't sure if Jeff was goading me on or giving me some good old fashioned advice.  On the one hand, the use of the word "manscaping" possibly suggests an ever-so-slight dig.  On the other hand, leg shaving is not uncommon in our sport.  For all I know Jeff might be the world's most dedicated leg shaver, and has committed his life to spreading the word on how incredible it is.

But does it really matter?  I had mentioned in the Roadology Post last week that I would streak down the street a half mile for $100,000.  Actually I've already done it - and didn't get paid.  It was in Bremerhaven, Germany on New Years Eve in 1994.  But that's a story for another time.  The point is, I really don't have any physical hang-ups.  And the question as to the intent of Jeff's comment is a complete non-issue - Jeff put a thought in my head and I was feeling impulsive.

So within 2 seconds I was Googling "cyclists leg shaving", and the second link that came up was exactly what I was looking for.

My wife tried to talk me out of it.  But it was not because she really cares about the hair on my legs.  Rather, she wanted me to be careful of what I was wishing for and warned me that maintaining shaved legs is a pain in the butt.  And if I ever decide to let the hair grow back out I should expect some pretty serious itchiness.

Whatever - I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.

Getting started by shaving off as much as I could with the buzzers...


 Step 2...


Finished.  Contextual shot with the bike shorts on.

14 comments:

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

You won't be sorry! When i see unshaved legs, i think amateur...and usually i'm right. There are so many advantages for having smooth legs. Putting sunscreen on easily is one. Overall, it just looks pro!! It took me a long time to get my husband to finally shave his legs. Once he did, he's never looked back.

Matty O said...

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

OK, that being said, I did it too on Memorial day! I had been talking with a bunch of guys at the local TRI club and they convinced me. Mainly they said if you wreck your bike, the healing process is expedited cause you don't have hair growing in your wounds and trapping dirt.

As for maintenance... Sigh, I understand what women go through now haha! That being said, I don't think I will go back to hairy legs haha.

My swims have improved (notably) and I think I look sexy in my spandex now LOL.

Good choice man!

What I did not mention was... I was still drunk from the night before when I made the decision to shave my legs... had I been sober I might not have been able to go through with it!

Unknown said...

AWESOME!

It was more advice than a dig, but also just a little dig ... lol.

As Matt said above, road rash with hair = awful. Road rash without hair = no as awful. It took one scrape on the shin to realize the legs needed to be trimmed. And the side benefits are that you feel extremely fast in the water and you don't look as foolish in your wife's heels!

Excellent Decision!

Jennifer said...

OMG I am still laughing!

Now you are truly a pro- at leg shaving at least! Now get on that bike!!!

KovasP said...

Shaved legs = triathlon (thug) life! You are hardcore.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

x2 with jeff and matt

Try nair, it really works and takes less time

Matty O said...

My 2 cents on Nair. I used it a few times, once for the initial removal and again for "maintenance".

It worked well on the initial removal, for maintenance I cannot get it to work well :(

I have been sticking to the razor in the shower... so far so good. Nair does leave the skin more smooth and prevented irritation, toss up I guess.

Caratunk Girl said...

That is freaking funny. But really, that is awesome...do you feel faster?

Nair? Ummm, I hate the stuff myself, but it seems to work for some folks.

Aimee said...

Ha ha...love the shaved legs! Nice!

As for Nair, that stuff just kind of freaks me out. Do I really want to put a chemical on my body that will remove the hair? NO! Stick with shaving...it gets the legs much smoother! :)

Rad Runner said...

You are ONE hard freaking core blogger- with hairless legs!

skierz said...

that is hilarious! I can relate to the wife comment! the first time I walked out of the washroom my wife almost fell off her chair. She could not believe that I did it. Feels good doesnt it?!

64 CLASSIC said...

I had to go back and read the old post and the Carrot's comments...

Personally, I love the new look and it may help to keep you out of trouble with the law... you now have the look of an athlete!!

I keep mine neat and tidy most of the time!! I prefer it, so does my wife. It makes the Junior High kids at school nervous though!!!

Glenn Jones said...

Coffee spew! Guess I'm not going to becomea triathlete any time soon!

Angie said...

In for a penny, in for a pund I guess- way to be committed to your sport. I commend you. Also nair totally stings.

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