Confessions of a Long Distance Cyclist

A while back I posted a video on YouTube with a simple title: crazy people ride their bicycles. It got a lot of views, more than I expected. It got me thinking about who was watching and what they thought of us. Here is the video.

I have a pretty good guess about what professional road cyclists think of people like me: hairy, unwashed, and a little bit lost. And honestly? They might be right.

Life at Walking Speed (Almost)

When you cross a country at 6 or 10 miles an hour, the world looks different. You notice the change in the soil, the smell of the bakery in a village you’d have missed at 30 mph, and the old man who waves you over to talk. You also don’t always find a shower. Sometimes you don’t find water for a good stretch. That’s part of the price, and it’s a price I’m happy to pay for crossing countries and learning from the locals.

Packing Light, Thinking Hard

The less you carry, the better the trip. Every extra pound is a pound you push up every hill. So you start asking yourself the hard questions: is this a need, or is this a want? A second pair of shoes? A want. A spare tube? A need. Long-distance touring is the best lesson in minimalism I’ve ever had, and it’s cheaper than therapy.

About Those Hairy Legs

Road cyclists will tell you that leg hair creates wind resistance, and for someone chasing seconds in a race, fair enough. But I’m hauling bags up a mountain pass, and I’ll take my chances.

They also say that when you crash, the scabs form in the hair and injury treatment becomes problem. I say we’ve all fallen off a bike, and a scab is a scab. Nobody ever finished a tour without a few of them.

And consider what the hair gives us in return:

Winter warmth. Legs and face both get a little extra insulation on those cold mornings on the road.

Sun protection. Ever thought about sunburn? A bit of hair is a bit of shade. Not a replacement for sunscreen, but it’s not nothing.

The Dad Belly Aero Theory

I also read an article claiming a dad belly helps with wind resistance, rounding off the front of the body so the wind passes smoothly around the hips. Now, I’m not saying the science is settled, but I am saying some road cyclists might have something to learn from the rest of us. Maybe the secret to going fast was the extra helping of dessert all along.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Pro cyclists have their world: shaved legs, tight kits, and precision. We have ours: slow miles, good stories, and dirt in places I won’t mention. Neither is wrong. But I know which one I’d rather be riding through a foreign village at sunset.

Have you ever ridden a long distance? Are you a shaver or a natural? Tell me in the comments.

---

Disclaimer this is the real facts:

I must admit I did bend some of the facts.

• Leg hair and aero: Wind tunnel tests do suggest shaving saves a small amount, but it only matters over a race. For a loaded touring bike, your bags and your body position matter far more.
• Scabs and healing: The real reason roadies shave is that road rash is easier to clean and dress on smooth skin. Hair doesn’t seriously hurt healing.
• Warmth and sun: Leg hair adds only a little protection and warmth. Sunscreen is still your best friend out there. Long sleeves and full-length bibs offer even more protection and aerodynamic help.
• Dad belly: I kept it as a joke. A round belly probably doesn’t help much, but readers enjoy the theory, and my self-deprecating humor is part of the blog.