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I speculate here that this could be a second reason why we lost our big ape hair. The preferred method of hunting was running after prey until it fell/slowed down - due to the fact that, unless other animals, man can run and hold the mouth open, thus eliminating the excess heat + higher oxygen flow. Having less hair than the prey made us run otherwise faster while on lower enery requirements.

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At the speed we run, it would make no difference I would imagine. The benefits of shaving your legs only really come into effect for cyclists at the pro level ... those of us who can manage a steady 25km/h see far less benefit.

I always thought it was an urban myth that it made you go faster, and that the real reason was that road rash was easier to treat.

I am not a competitive cyclist but remove the hair on my legs with a depilator in the Spring because my leg pelt retains too much heat in the Summer. There is a noticeable improvement in cooling after it is done.

While not the most pleasant process, it avoids stubble and the delayed regrowth means the new hair is sufficiently long to begin providing warmth just in time for when cooler Fall temps arrive. I always considered that to be the real reason why the pros do it with road rash being of secondary concern. Those with shorter leg hair just went along and copied their hairier peers.

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