Graeme Simpson: Shaving legs for very good causes

Cyclocross are designed for road, gravel and dirt. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

I've been riding bikes for more than 50 years.

In that time I've never shaved my legs. I didn't when I had road bikes. I didn't when I started riding my Jeffson hybrid late last year - hand-made in Rotorua for off and on-road.

There are a lot of reasons cyclists give for shaving: tradition, aerodynamics, easier for massage and to care for wounds, it looks better and women like it (bicycling.com).

Others disagree. "It always just seems stupid to me," says Dave Wiens, multi-winner of one of the most demanding mountain bike races in the world, the Leadville 100 (miles) in Colorado.

There's a first time for everything. Last week, I spotted the Shave for a Cure campaign for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand on Facebook. I know people who have suffered from this and it seemed a good opportunity to raise money for a very good cause.

I never lost any hair to chemotherapy, but I did end up with a V shape in the back of my head etched out by radiotherapy, since grown back. My hair is getting thin on top, though. So, I'm going to get out the heavy razor and shave my legs at the end of the month.

I set a goal of $500 that was reached in a few days. You can donate more. Go to www.shaveforacure.co.nz and click on "search for a shave".

A far better option would be to donate to Philly Angus. She's an important part of the local mountain bike community and organised the Cyclezone Women's Ride Month last year. She has a very personal reason to get involved in Shave for a Cure.

From her sponsor page: "In December last year, just 5 days before Stella's 8th birthday, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - ALL for short. 'Shave for a Cure' is the perfect opportunity for me as a Mum, to show my love and support to our beautiful girl. (Stella's hair loss, due to her treatment, has been a huge part of her journey so far).

Five days a week for seven weeks, visiting the Oncology Department at Auckland Hospital, three years ago was tough. But never tougher and more emotional than when the kids were in for treatment. Hell, I thought being ill, myself, was unfair enough. Kids in the same situation? Absolutely nothing right about that.
Head to that website, search for Philly's page and donate, OK?

I might have to fast track the shave. There's a new bike coming to the shed.
It's a Focus Mare cyclocross bike. Like the Jeffson, it's designed to cope with smooth tarmac and the rigours of gravel roads and mountain trails. The Jeffson has flat bars for commuter comfort. The Focus is, well, a bit more focused and goes the full-CX with drop bars. It is designed primarily as a race bike for the sport of Cyclocross, big in Europe and growing elsewhere, including New Zealand.
It is carbon, a featherweight and with disc brakes, something I wouldn't ride without these days.

The Focus is only on loan so I can write a review for New Zealand Road Cyclist. I'm looking forward to giving it a solid workout on tarmac and dirt.