This one goes partly hand in hand with tradition, but for many cyclists tradition is an excuse to whack out the razor and go to town on those pins for one other simple reason: they look better.

It’s the same reason male fitness models almost all have hairless torsos – a set of shaved legs have a definition and look to them that hairy legs just can’t match. Sure, it’s partly shameless narcissism, but cyclists are rightly proud of what all those miles covered in all manner of weather has done to their legs: it makes them look strong, lean and powerful and showing that off is part of the pride in being a cyclist.

And it’s fashion, too. Like bib shorts, like the amusing sock length debate or the cut of a jersey, part of cycling fashion is shaving your legs. It seems ridiculous to people who don’t ride, but is it really any more ridiculous than the crazy outfits on the high fashion runways in Milan? Or wearing trousers that don’t cover your ankles and going sockless? Maybe, maybe not, but the point is plenty of people have done strange things in the name of fashion, and shaving your legs certainly wouldn’t top that list.

If we’re entirely honest, every cyclist who shaves their legs does it a little bit for that reason, whether they’re a pro, and amateur or somewhere between the two.