Brand Name Sport ShoesIt was the summer of 1990, and Stephen Bullard had become adedicated triathlete, fit and fast for swimming, running andcycling after five years of regular competition. He was aburgeoning young buck, eking up in the local ranks and looking thepart -- all hot pink and Spandex and mirrored sunglasses -- savefor one fuzzy detail: He had hairy legs. So it was one bright spring evening when Bullard, now a managementtrainer in Minneapolis, took blade to skin and began thedeforestation of his lower leg. "It was the thing to do if youwere serious about triathlon," he said. Bullard turned 50 this winter, still a committed triathlete,cyclist and Nordic skier. It's been 18 years since his virginshave, and Bullard's legs have been shiny and smooth ever since. Beyond aerobic sports, in no other part of mainstream Westernsociety does the male species commonly take wax or blade to leghair. But among the Lycra set -- particularly cyclists, swimmersand triathletes -- smooth legs are touted as a rite of passage anda performance-enhancing procedure. Bullard, who shaves twice a week, up to 45 minutes at a time, saidhair-free legs identify a man as someone who takes his sportseriously. "It's a badge," he said. Showing off rippling thighs doesn't hurt, either. Nor does thefeeling of fresh bed sheets on clean calves, admitted one maleshaver. And after a day of cycling a self massage on smooth thighsis irresistible, according to Steve Madden of Bicycling magazine. "Massage is the No. 1 reason to shave for seriouscyclists," said Madden, who serves as editor in chief at theEmmaus, Penn., magazine. "Lotion and leg hair don't go well together, and after ridingall day cyclists need a rub-down." Madden, 44, has shaved on and off since 1980. Narcissism andvanity, he admits, are part of the allure. Ditto to fitting intothe crowd. "Cycling is a very tribal sport," Madden said. "Youtake cues from the leaders -- the pros -- who all shave." More practically, cyclists shave because cuts and road rash canheal faster after a crash. "Hairless legs are easier to cleanand bandage," Madden said. What about aerodynamic advantages on a bike? In a wind tunnel,under perfect lab conditions, leg fuzz swirling in the breeze maycreate a tiny amount of turbulence and drag. But it has almost noaffect on riders in reality. "It's pure B.S.," Maddenspouted. Instead, your clothing, riding position, your helmet, eventhe placement of a water bottle cage can cause more drag than leghair, he said. In water, where resistance is greater, hair can make a measurabledifference. As such, swimmers have long shaved their legs -- andtheir arms and chests, too -- for hydrodynamic gain. A bald body,like a seal, slips quicker through the pool. In other sports, smooth man legs are a Grade A diversionary tactic. That's according to Dan Williams, a 42-year-old adventure racerfrom Champlin, Minn., who compares leg shaving to poker: "It'slike Texas Hold 'Em," he said. "Anything that gives you apsychological or perceived psychological edge, will in fact giveyou that edge." In any competition, Williams continued, there's a field of athletesattempting to read where each person ranks. Having clean-shavenlegs -- thighs flexing, contoured muscles sparkling in the sun --immediately identifies one as core. "Like mirrored sunglassesor carbon-fiber spokes, clean legs promote a slight mystery aboutyou," Williams said. For serious road cyclists -- the most vocal and particularparticipants in this investigation -- legs are an instantidentifier, said Jamie Smith, author of "Roadie: TheMisunderstood World of a Bike Racer" (VeloPress, 2008). Smith,a shaver for 22 years, said male legs are the first thing he looksat when showing up for a group bike ride. "A quick glance determines where you are in the sport,"he said. "I know who the serious and safer riders are fromtheir defined tan lines and clean legs." In a section of his book titled "Do You Really Shave YourLegs?", Smith writes: "In any group of cyclists, aserious Roadie can instantly spot the not-so-serious Roadie. Thetelltale sign: hairy legs. A cyclist makes a strong statement abouthis dedication to the sport when he goes against the societal normand shaves all the hair off his legs." Not that aerobic athletes shy from bucking societal convention. Thesame demographic that shaves is known to do other crazy things,too. Like run 50 miles in a day. Or bike around Lake Superior for funone month. But the buff guys in Spandex -- chests puffed out under jerseys,legs glimmering above athletic shoes -- are also an easy butt endto a joke. Just ask Stephen Bullard, a man who for a time wore aone-piece hot pink zebra striped suit to race in triathlons."The truth hurts, but I admit it," he said. Today, Bullard's preferred brand of shaver is one his daughter gavehim for Father's Day. The Gillette Venus has five blades and a"ribbon of moisture." It comes in pink and teal, and thecompany tags a slogan on the packaging: "Reveal the goddess inyou." "I keep telling my wife that shaved legs are sexy,"Bullard said. "But she remains unconvinced." Pulling Back the (Shower) Curtain. . . Seven men reveal reasons and rationalizations for shaving theirlegs in the name of aerobic sport. . . * Stanley Barton, 41, technology entrepreneur in Minnetonka, Minn. Why he does it: "Mostly in the event of a bike crash to helpheal road rash. And because I'm vain." * T.C. Worley, 30, photographer in Minneapolis On his first time: "It was quite feminine to glide a razorover the length of my leg. It felt like a sneak peak into a woman'sworld." * Rich White, 48, writer, Big Bear Lake, Calif. On the psychology: "Before a big bike ride or event shavingputs me in the warrior mode. It makes me feel like I'm ready torock!" * Dan Kimmel, 56, software developer in Burnsville, Minn. Why he shaved (just once) at age 53: "My cycling workoutbuddies were doing it. I thought I should try to understand whyother guys did it." * Ed Korb, 36, educator in Tustin, Calif. His girlfriend's reaction: "She thought it was hot! I shavedjust to try it, but after a day or two I starting liking it. . .." * Dave Melcher, 51, analyst in Richfield, Minn. On peer pressure: "If you line up for a bike race with hairylegs you are quickly identified as an inexperienced cyclist whocannot hold his line and may cause an accident." * Jason Prudhom, 23, bike parts factory worker in Minneapolis On why he shaves twice a week: "Narcissism probably mostprimarily. I like the aesthetic of clean tattoos better than hairyones." 2008-06-06 13:17:41
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