Saturday, December 11, 2010

Hair(less) Question

Do you ever have times when you think you're really in the dark about things? Like there is something everyone else knows but you?

Examples might be (but not limited to): No one told you to not blow dry your hair while taking a bath. No one told you to not wear a maxi pad with a thong bathing suit (unless they are these of course). No one told you to always check to make sure a treadmill is off before getting on it.

Today I had one of those “in the dark” experiences while watching the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Who knew it was such an educational program? fudd

What I learned is this: cyclists should wax their hair (yes, down there) to lessen friction and to make the ride more comfortable. When I say shave, I mean SHAVE. As in Elmer Fudd, Phil McGraw and George Foreman. Bald. Bald bald bald as a ping pong ball. The person of interest was a female, so not sure if this applies to men or not.

Before becoming a runner I was a cyclist, putting in some big miles per week. Doing centuries and multi day rides. I never knew this little secret about hair and friction. Hey, you experienced riders - is there something to this?

I’m planning on some tris this year and want to maximize the experience. Wonder if I should go all Elmer Fudd.

Just curious,

SUAR

55 comments:

  1. I hate biking, so I can't share with you there, but I still remember realizing that I didn't need to wear underwear under my running clothes. It sure solved that VPL pretty quick.

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  2. I guess I was in the dark about this one too.

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  3. I didn't know anyone still had hair down there! ha! Really!

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  4. haha I saw that episode! It was hilarious. I am not sure about that rule, but I want to do some tri's as well so I'll keep it in mind.

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  5. I'm not a cyclist, but all I will say is once you do it, you'll never have it any other way.

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  6. Pam sounds like a woman of experience in Elmer Fudding.

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  7. I didn't know about that rule either and I've done tons of tris and long bike rides. However, now that I think about it, there may be something to it!

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  8. Hmmm. I'm still trying to figure out how that max pad in the thong works. It has wings and wouldn't it like dissolve in the water.

    I still don't know how to put my hair in a ponytail correctly. I've got more lumps in my hair than Jessica Simpson's backside. I am 25 years old and seriously have never been able to figure out how everyone else does it. I am sure I missed a memo growing up.

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  9. I think this going to go "down" the same route as the bra question...some of us are just not qualified to answer...but hey, we love the conversation!!!! Made my weekend...will probably be thinking about that during my run tomorrow

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  10. Shawn I'm so glad I could give you something to think about on your run. Elmer Fudd. Thongs.

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  11. Hmmmm...follow this to it's conclusion or watch the hockey Game????? Methinks I'll do both....I'll probably get hit by a car tomorrow...or run into a tree....dagnabit!!!!

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  12. Huh. Never would have thought of that. Interesting...

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  13. I am somewhat surprised you don't try for yourself and let us know how it goes. Or not. The people behind that episode are probably unaware there are bike saddles specifically designed for the female anatomy, built to accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes. I suspect if there was any significant amount of friction, the presence or absence of hair isn't going to make any difference at all.

    There are many guys who make a big deal out of shaving their legs, yet are not forthcoming when asked , where do you stop? The line will be obvious on almost every guy, and anywhere between the knees and the bottom of where a beard would stop is going to look odd.

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  14. In all my years of cycling it never occurred to me to shave my private parts, I rather have friction than itching....

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  15. Didn't we all learn in middle school hygiene class that hair grows in all of those "skin-on-skin" places to naturally reduce friction?
    Maybe they were just trying to help a sister out so her pubes weren't tufting out of her booty shorts.

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  16. I have to agree with Pam on this one.

    I'm not a cyclist so I didn't know anything about that but what I can tell you about it is, that when swim suit season comes along, you really don't have much to worry about in the bathing suit department and you sure don't look like Miranda from Sex and the City (the first one), LOL!!!!

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  17. WAX people!! Do not shave. EVER.
    That is all :)

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  18. I never heard that, but let's just say- I am glad I know. I am starting to put in more miles on my road bike and friction ( I guess) was an issue this past season.

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  19. I find the opposite is true....maybe I'm missing something.

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  20. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is the best one. Laughing about the Miranda from Sex and the City comment!

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  21. Hah! I was going to say the same thing as Hanna, but she beat me to it. No shave hoo-ha, wax thee hoo-ha.

    I've been a cyclist for many years, but I've never shaved/waxed for friction reduction.

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  22. I wax legs but just can't keep up the Fuddiness of the yoni to make it worthwhile. I've tried it, meh, just too much upkeep. Swimsuit season here is year-round so there is never an offseason.

    It is definitely Very Different during Sex. Good different. VERY good different. But a lot of work. You should try it just once, but make it a surprise. It is always a Very Appreciated surprise. :)

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  23. I've heard of shaving arms and legs for swimming purposes but never heard of down there for the bike.

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  24. OMG I totally just watched that too! I guess I learned a good lesson since I just started riding long distances. guess i better try it?!

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  25. I keep going back and forth if I should shave my chest. Well, continue to shave it I mean. Rest assured I will not be posting about this. Now that we are BFF's, has anyone pointed out your heel strike in your profile pic? No judgment, just an observation.

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  26. I agree with Cucipata, the lesser of two evils. I just make sure to avoid the '70's look.

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  27. I think this type of beav styling job :) would be called "The Full Brazilian. Check out Wikipedia's write up on bikini waxing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikini_waxing

    hmmm, I'm not so sure this would really help with the cycling so much but please do let us know what you decide but maybe not include pictures with that post. ;)

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  28. No WAX! Sugar the hoo-ha! It is less painful and lasts longer. I swear by the stuff.
    ps - I ride my bike when my car is getting worked on, so I really know nothing. otherwise it's for the. . .um bikini season - or something.

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  29. I think it's probably personal choice - but I'm not a cyclist.

    I think there should be minimal to nothing down there if you do anything that makes you sweat!! :)

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  30. I saw that episode and thought WTF!!! Just how much friction could there be?

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  31. Oh and by the way - as a result of Chemo - all and I mean ALL of my hair fell out. Nose hair, eye brows, arm hair . . . yup everything! But there is NO way that I would wax there!

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  32. Oh. My. God. Can you imagine the amount of flexibility needed to wax your own yin-yang? And what if you applied the wax, and couldn't go through with the ripping and the tearing. You'd have permanently glued on panties, that's what!

    LOVE your blog!! I read it all the time, but this is my first comment. You guys are having too much fun over here, and I finally decided I wanted to join the party :)

    Nellie
    http://midlifecruiser.blogspot.com
    (36 year old fulltime RVer living la vida loca with a cute-butt husband and a stink-butt dog!)

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  33. Um, OK, well, it seems, but perhaps, yeah - I got nothing on this.

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  34. News to me... I'll have to consider it if I end up with issues when I get my road bike.

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  35. Well, who's a thunk?! This is very tricky because for me running in tights I need the, um...extra layer, if you will. So what about tri's and ironman races where you ride and run? And well we all know (at least I think we should) that swimmers are bald as a baby all over! The dudes and girls alike shave all hair on arms and legs and chest and pits...

    Very interesting...

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  36. Chris K - from one BFF to another - yes, it's true about my fabulous heel strike. Don't be jealous. Newton should use me as their poster child for what not to do.

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  37. Frankly, the only women I know who shave it all off "down there" do it to hide the gray.

    Never seen any of the Real Housewives shows, but I hear there's now a bisexual (unmarried) Brazilian personal trainer on RH of the OC; guessing their desperate for viewers.

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  38. I saw that episode and was wondering the same thing!!

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  39. I actually have a few friends from the old US postal service team in the Tour de France.

    The waxing legs is not a wind resistance thing ... and unzipped shirt causes more wind resistance than all of chewbaccas fur put together.

    What hairless gets you is ... easier to get massages after race day, and much cleaner to deal with wounds and applying creams etc.

    Lessoning of wind resistance is really a very very minor benefit.

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  40. who cares, just do it and then tell us all about it, I bet you will tell us one hell of a story...

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  41. I have to agree with jfred...i didn't know there were that many people who aren't smooth in their southern hemisphere. It's worth the effort.

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  42. I'm just glad to not be the first guy to post here.

    I can't see how that helps in cycling, unless there is that old 70s porn type thing going on I don't see how it helps.

    But what do I know.

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  43. Isn't that what body glide is for? I would think that no hair would just lead to a crap ton of ingrown hairs. Not that I have any experience.....

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  44. hahah I'll keep this in mind as I venture into the world of cycling in pursuit of becoming a triathlete :D

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  45. My question is do guy cyclists do the same thing?

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  46. I am absolutely cracking up at all the different names people are using in their comments. Yin Yang, Southern Hemisphere, Yoni....LOL!!

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  47. Ok...slowly raising my hand. I did no reasearch on this and got no advice. I decided on my own last month that going "clean" would probably cut down on the burning. So "clean" I was for my 81-mile training ride and 109-mile tour. And yes, it most certainly did help. *sigh*...the things I do for the love of sport.

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  48. I thought I was the only one who knew this was one of the greatest ideas ever! I wouldn't openly discuss my long-ride secret with other cyclists (the whole stinking team is guys ranging from 30-80), but I was thrilled to discover that it makes a huge difference. I used to get really bad saddle sores in some spots due to the friction.

    I must say: my boyfriend is totally down with it, too.

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  49. I learned the hard way. Do not get waxed the day before a long ride. Just sayin.

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  50. With my generation, everyone's an Elmer Fudd.

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  51. I got clean and smooth (with a razor) over ten years ago when I started doing adventure races. 10+ hours of slogging through the muck, then riding, then running caused chafing galore.

    Chamois Butt'r was great to reduce rubbing, but had a tendency to mat in the hair...so...remove the hair. Problem solved.

    Have maintained a clean playground ever since, with all of the greenery removed from the ball field.

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