The mercury hit 50 degrees (10 C) as I finished an afternoon ride today, according to the National Weather Service. A shocker. With steady raindrops and a few well-timed gusts, the wind chill had to be in the high 40s. I am not making this up. Perfect conditions for testing embrocation.
Yes, that aromatic goo. The shiny stuff on the shaved legs of European and U.S. East Coast cyclists during winter and early spring. In Southern California, embrocation is more like a foreign substance. You won’t find it on the shelves of your LBS. For starters, cyclocross isn’t exactly huge in SoCal. And clear sunny days in November have been known to hit 80 degrees (27 C). Sporadic rainy days are rarely–if ever–challenged by riders around these parts. A continuously rainy week may prompt ‘hard men’ to brave the elements. But most everyone else? Uh, no.
Which leads to the exception: Me. On this Saturday, it was wet, windy and wild (for San Diego, anyway). After spending the afternoon in the garage tuning, adjusting and cleaning nearly all the family bicycles, I finally couldn’t take it anymore. Even though the streets were slick and the skies dark gray, I kitted up and figured an hour wouldn’t hurt to “keep the legs loose.” What’s a little moisture? A rooster tail to feel like a kid again? Maybe even some “marble-sized” hail? I pulled the Moots Vamoots off the bike stand and committed. Before clicking in, though, I rubbed deep into my legs some Mad Alchemy Cold Weather/Warming embrocation. “Mellow” strength, mind you, for temps between 40 and 60 degrees. (5 C and 15 C). But not the Madness/Maximum Warmth for the “truly insane.”
As sure as I’m sitting here typing, the mellow stuff worked, providing a steady and pleasing warm buzz to my muscles, joints and skin. Upon pedaling the rain-soaked pavement, I found that the Mad Alchemy served not only as a trusty shield against the blustery air but also the sideways rain and spray blasting up from my Vittoria Paves. Water beads, dirt and specks of tree debris formed on my shins and knees. Then, they jumped off like fleas from a hound. With good embrocation, fear not chilly air, water or grime. For good measure, I also have a jar of Warm Weather / Summer Mad Alchemy, as well as a Start Stick to get my sense of smell on ultra-high alert.
Now, you may ask, why would a road cyclist in San Diego have embrocation? Well, it’s more for big climbing days in the local mountains than anything else. Palomar Mountain today hovered around 32 degrees (0 C) with a dusting of snow. It will be in the 50s all next week. Not bone-chilling by any stretch but excellent embrocation opportunities. I feel more confident having Mad Alchemy as my “Belgium knee warmers.” Maybe you might, too. [Full disclosure: I paid 100% for my Mad Alchemy goodies, and the opinions expressed in this blog post are 100% my own.] Here’s wishing you and yours a great Sunday and start to December.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
As someone from Oregon, who grew up in the cold and wet, I am a bit dubious about that stuff: the ‘warmth’ is sort of like the warmth from hot peppers, not the warmth from a thick wool sweater. In other words, I’m not sure about its true effectiveness at conserving body heat, and thus, energy.
Quite possibly true, David. For me, though, mind is as important as matter. If I feel it helps me ride better in cold weather, I’m wearing it. Just like if I someday believe that Speedplay pedals will save me 33 seconds in 20km TT. http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.slipperypedals
OK, maybe not. But I like the smell, the sensation and the pre-ride ritual of embrocation. Change of pace for us surfer types in SoCal. JB
Has anyone tried this on their feet? Or is it unwise to put this on followed by socks?
Up here in PDX my feet are the only things that consistently get cold — no matter how thick my smartwool socks, toe warmers (shoe covers), etc. If this stuff could help warm my feet, I’d be sold.
Ron
If that stuff is fun for the few times it dips below 15C over there, have fun. I’m just saying be careful with it in situations where the cold is real and you should be using real, high quality technical gear to conserve your body temperature.
Ron: if you’re getting cold because you’re wet (PDX, after all…) you might try some thick neoprene socks or shoe covers – those hold warmth better than the thin, sleek looking ones do when their soaked.