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Post by Scott Baker on May 25, 2007 8:59:08 GMT -5
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Post by bikerXJ on May 25, 2007 9:20:11 GMT -5
Yep, crashing and road rash. I don't shave my legs though. But I will someday...when I am faster and can kick some bootay on my bike.
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Post by Vespa on May 25, 2007 13:33:33 GMT -5
Actually, having hair on your legs doesn't make road rash any better, and it would be almost as easy to shave around the areas needing adhesive after a crash at the time anyhow. That is actually another myth, but you'll find folk who vehemently disagree, maybe because they need the easy explanation for such an extravagant, unorthodox, and time-consuming activity.  One factor that probably contributed to shaving -- pros have always relied on serious post race massage as a part of recovery, and supposedly shaved legs work better for that. BUT, most of us amateurs and even some non-stage-racing pros get massages only rarely. And slick massage oil pretty much neutralizes the pulling effect of hairy legs. It is messier and harder to clean up, though. It's also easier to wipe sunscreen off of shaved legs. The bottom line revolves around culture and image, both outer and self. It can be seen as part of being a member of the "club," and shaved legs look fast. Whether it's an ego-driven shot in the arm (or leg) to look down and see jet-fighter sleek pistons or just a statement of sporting identity, these are fine reasons to shave (in my opinion). Yep, crashing and road rash. I don't shave my legs though. But I will someday...when I am faster and can kick some bootay on my bike. |
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Post by TC on May 25, 2007 16:32:06 GMT -5
I asked the advance practice nurse at the wound clinic about this specific topic. She told me most of the road rash she sees is from unshaven clients. It makes no difference today as far as cleaning or healing, the solution you use is far more important. She told me she has a super treatment for road rash. She told me, but I forget the exact details. I'll call her and post it here, it's good stuff.
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Post by Scott Baker on May 25, 2007 16:51:09 GMT -5
I have a friend that studied at the University of Tennessee in the sports something-or-another program, and they looked specifically at the physiological and psychological effects of leg-shaving. Given all other equal factors for a 100-mile ride (which is realistically impossible), shaven legs save about 5 seconds due to less wind resistance. This makes it so infinitely marginal, it really doesn't matter. However, those cyclists who thought they were faster because they had shaven legs, actually rode faster as compared to the same conditions without shaven legs. Mind over matter I think.
TC - I look forward to seeing your road rash remedy.
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Post by Nikki Alexander on May 28, 2007 22:55:15 GMT -5
That was an odd article, and this was always been an odd topic of conversation seeing as I am female. HAH.
A few of the guys I know that shave their legs told me that when you fall, your hair will stick to the pavement making your road rash worse, now after that article and seeing as I havent fallen on pavement since I was little (and I shave my legs so who knows...)... Can someone verify that "fact" for me?
I think its all in their heads... "I'll go faster..."
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Post by YellowLemondTed on May 29, 2007 10:49:09 GMT -5
I see it as part of the cycling sub-culture as much as anything else. Sure in a month long Grand tour shaven legs could benefit and add up over the entire course of the race, and I certainly can verify that when you shave your legs you think you should be a little faster (I'm so into cycling that its almost a sickness...and the only remedy is more cycling). I personally could care less if it really does benefit a rider or not, its something that is part of the sport and I see no problem with those who do it.
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Post by bikerXJ on Jun 6, 2007 22:36:57 GMT -5
Dang, it took me 30 min to do one leg! I'm gonna wait to do the other one tomorrow. haha
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Post by YellowLemondTed on Jun 7, 2007 8:33:12 GMT -5
Hope you don't go for a ride before you do the second...the drag differential is so great that it'll make you ride in circles ;-)
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Post by cujo on Jun 7, 2007 8:58:01 GMT -5
I do not know about the "research". My experience has been faster healing and less pain without hair. It also appeared that the wound was not as deep. The best solution for any road rash is tegaderm. Road rash is a burn as well as an abrasion. Due to this you must treat the burn and the abrasion together. Tegaderm does a great job 7-10 day and good to go.
I just betadine the area to kill bac. and slap on the tegaderm and away you go. No seapage no hurt to touch game on.
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Post by Nikki Alexander on Jun 7, 2007 11:55:26 GMT -5
haha, we all definitely got yelled at when we wanted to use betadine on a wound in athletic training clinicals... i'm not sure why. I think it was allergies. Triple Antibiotic is the best, let me say. I am the princess (my mom is the queen...) of getting hurt. I've landed in the hospital so much my mom was scared they were going to think she and my dad beat me. And I dont have many scars to prove it that triple antibiotic worked so well  Ted- I kind of wish that was true, I'd love to see someone ride around in circles due to wind resistance. BikerKJ-- are you new to this? haha 30 minutes? |
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Post by cujo on Jun 7, 2007 12:36:28 GMT -5
tegaderm will not stick to triple antibiotic cream.
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Post by Nikki Alexander on Jun 7, 2007 13:35:01 GMT -5
oh well that makes sense. Does it stick to the wound/ your skin? I know some of that wound dressing stuff is a pain to take off. Literally
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Post by cujo on Jun 7, 2007 14:35:04 GMT -5
NO not at all. It is awesome. Just slap it on and then take it off 7 days later almost all healed It is unbelieveable.
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Post by mvi on Jun 7, 2007 20:13:27 GMT -5
Actually , wind drag is less with hair. Smooth surfaces create a vacuum behind them (drag). That is the reason of dimpled wheels and golf balls, sharkskin suits, and the strips Dutch speedskaters used on their skinsuits.
Tegaderm is indeed great. Scrubbing the wound clean very important as well , or you create a Tatoo from dirt.
The ER doc had a motivation on my last big crash not to use antibiotics, something like "if I use it now""it won't work if you do get infected" .
Maybe you kill off to much of the non harmless bugs, leaving a oportunity for the resistant ones.
I,m not shaving but after a crash I sure wish I did. Hairs act also as a perfect surface for mud off road.
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