Why do cyclists shave their legs?
Professional cyclists claim there are two reasons why they shave.
1. Medical
The first is medical. They fall off their bikes more often than one might expect, and it's easier to clean out the dirt and gravel from their wounds if their legs have been shaved. Bare skin coming into contact with asphalt at 35mph is going to tear off, so it's better that it tears off cleanly, and pulling off bandages from healed cuts is less torturous if hairs are not pulled out at the same time.
2. Therapeutic
The second reason is more therapeutic: the massages they receive after every stage of a race are more comfortable if they are hairless.
EXTRA 3. Aesthetic
The real reason cyclists shave their legs is very simple: it is because everyone else does it. No one likes to make a direct admission but, secretly, shaving one's legs has an aesthetic dimension: it is simply how the racing cyclist should look. As every oiled bodybuilder knows, smooth skin looks better and allows everyone a perfect view of all your hard work.
