Thursday, February 19, 2009

Embrocation

I've never tried it.  I stick to knee warmers and when it's really cold, full leg warmers.  But I've been reading more and more about embrocation.  It's an interesting idea.  And living up at Suncrest it might be useful in the early and late season.  

BELGIUM KNEE WARMERS DEFINED

For many professional cyclists the Spring campaign is the toughest of the season; it means training from October until March in the worst, character-building weather conditions Europe can dish out. This weather and the suffering that is bicycle racing breed characters known as "hardmen".

Select cyclists tackle these conditions in shorts, long sleeve jerseys or short sleeve jerseys with arm warmers, wind vests, and shoe covers. A true hardman opts to forego the knee or leg warmers and instead chooses an embrocation to cover the knees. The liniment provides warmth for the legs and keeps the blood circulating and muscles supple. Embrocation and the sheen created is affectionately known as "Belgium knee warmers". The hardest of cyclists will sport bare legs in the most ruthless of conditions.

Belgium Knee Warmers are indicitive of the many subtleties that make professional cycling so enthralling.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

no. dude. just no.

StupidBike said...

yes dude yes, it is awesome.

madalchemy.com

all natural ingredients, pay attention to the heat index, they are NOT lying.

Post Draper CX race in October, in the 40 degree rain, I was sitting on my tailgate in only my bibs, trying to cool off witht eh medium hot stuff, everyone else was shivering, near hypothermic.

BEST STUFF EVER i even got the coffee version, smells good.

But remember
Pee first
Embrocate second
trust me

South County Ciclista said...

With knee warmers when it gets warmer you can just take them off and put them in your jersey pocket. How would you get that stuff off? I imagine it is water resistant. Not like you could just pull over to the nearest stream and wash it off. Not sure though.

Jonnie J said...

I gotta try this stuff out. I hate having stuff on my legs when I am riding

Rick Sunderlage said...

Bob- is it hard to wash off? Can I put it on my nips?

StupidBike said...

it stays with you for a bit, although wash cloth and good soap usually takes care of most of it. I like the post ride warm feeling when it is chilly out though.

You can put it anywhere you want, so long as you are willing to accept the consequences.

Anonymous said...

Dare I ask - what consequences?

KanyonKris said...

Ever heard of the old locker room prank of putting Icy Hot in someone's jock strap? I think that's what we're talking about here.