Is anyone using it? How does it work? Brands you like?
As I understand it embrocation is warming cream you put on your legs before cycling to keep your skin warm? Is that right?
Been seeing some advertised and wondering about it as the weather turns cooler.
Thanks, John
I use DZNutz. Helps keep legs warm. If you shower before it wears off…OUCH. It burns
It’s miracle cream. Best works if you trim (no really shave) your leg hairs. Put it on about 15-30 minutes before go time. You won’t notice the weather. DO NOT, and I can’t stress this enough, get it near your balls. I went to the bathroom after putting it on and it was a scene from Revenge of the Nerds. Horrid pain.
DO NOT, and I can’t stress this enough, get it near your balls.
When using embrocation, be sure you first put on shorts/bibs/skinsuit before you apply the embro then immediately afterwards, use something citrus or alcohol based to thoroughly wash hands before touching any sensitive areas. Also, once applied, be sure not to brush/touch fingers on surface where it was applied as it will transfer - I made this mistake once at a cross race when I rolled up for start line for call ups and failing to realize my mistake, removed my glasses to wipe sweat from my cheek and shortly afterwards, the area below my right eye socket felt like it was on fire which made for a very exciting first lap!
John if you apply the embro, cover your legs w tights/knee warmers, leg warmers. Go warm up, break a sweat, and then the embro will really do its thing. Peel off your clothing layer or leave it on, up to you. In wet weather:
liniments are phenols that irritate the skin. the feeling of warmth is the dilation of the capillaries from the blood rush to remove the irritant. the net effect is actually the cooling of the surrounding tissue, as the increased blood flow removes heat from the body.
For cyclists, it is better to cover the area (under 60degrees, cover the knees) to block the wind or create an insulatory area.
When temps are variable, it is nice to have ‘something’ to facilitate capillary dilation during exercise, but without the windblock it won’t do much. While it is nice to not have the extra bulk of tights or knee warmers around the joint, you need to have a block on top of the embro (vaseline, lanolin, etc). Especially when it’s wet.
For cyclo cross is is perferabable to use the embro/weather shield combo, again because there is no bulk with tights/warmers but also if it’s sloppy mud the weight of the tights or droppy ass won’t add to your misery.
There are numerous homemade varieties, including Tiger Balm mixed with Baby Oil.
Mad Alchemy x2 - expensive but worth it. Used it on my lower back and legs today for a cold (45C) and wet ride.
liniments are phenols that irritate the skin. the feeling of warmth is the dilation of the capillaries from the blood rush to remove the irritant. the net effect is actually the cooling of the surrounding tissue, as the increased blood flow removes heat from the body.
For cyclists, it is better to cover the area (under 60degrees, cover the knees) to block the wind or create an insulatory area.
When temps are variable, it is nice to have ‘something’ to facilitate capillary dilation during exercise, but without the windblock it won’t do much. While it is nice to not have the extra bulk of tights or knee warmers around the joint, you need to have a block on top of the embro (vaseline, lanolin, etc). Especially when it’s wet.
For cyclo cross is is perferabable to use the embro/weather shield combo, again because there is no bulk with tights/warmers but also if it’s sloppy mud the weight of the tights or droppy ass won’t add to your misery.
There are numerous homemade varieties, including Tiger Balm mixed with Baby Oil.
Nailed it.
Use it if you like the feeling of it, or need it as a barrier if clothing can’t be used. But don’t be fooled into thinking a cream is seeping its way directly into your muscles, etc.
Mad Alchemy x 3 - Russian Tea is very nice.
Thanks for the responses.
What I am gathering from these is to use embro but also cover it up? Like put it on my knees and lower legs AND use tights?
Or can it be used in place of tights down to certain degrees?
Also, do you use it on your neck area? Or simply use a bandanna or something to cover the skin?
It can be used in place of tights/leg warmers. It actually gets “warmer” when wet or as you sweat. Using the hot kind will be an experience in the shower later on - you will soon see!
It can be used in place of tights/leg warmers. It actually gets “warmer” when wet or as you sweat. Using the hot kind will be an experience in the shower later on - you will soon see!
Got it. Thanks. Interested in trying it now. Just need to find it!
Go to Walgreens and buy some IcyHot.
Besides using Icy Hot or old school Atomic Balm, try using regular Vasoline or A&D oinment as a wind and water resistant layer on exposed skin. David K
Mad Alchemy x 3 -
Mad Alchemy x 4
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Sorry about reviving this thread. I’ve been using Castelli embro cream and still trying to figure it out. It has the exact opposite effect on me. Beljum butter, bib on, jersey on, slather embo cream on calves, Knees, and quads, front and back. Wash hands and slip on knee warmers.
Wait 10 mins. Start ride. I am already freezing. The cooling effect makes me shiver. What’s the deal?? What am I doing wrong here? Not even that cold outside, like 45F. I can feel the sensation and the “menthol” effect on my skin but my brain says it’s cold. Anyone else have this prob??
If you want some good winter embro, check this stuff out, leg salsa
http://www.unconmed.com/products.htm
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Sorry about reviving this thread. I’ve been using Castelli embro cream and still trying to figure it out. It has the exact opposite effect on me. Beljum butter, bib on, jersey on, slather embo cream on calves, Knees, and quads, front and back. Wash hands and slip on knee warmers.
Wait 10 mins. Start ride. I am already freezing. The cooling effect makes me shiver. What’s the deal?? What am I doing wrong here? Not even that cold outside, like 45F. I can feel the sensation and the “menthol” effect on my skin but my brain says it’s cold. Anyone else have this prob??If you use an embrocation for cold conditions, make sure it does not contain menthol (which the body perceives as cool). Many OTC products have menthol plus something that feels warm, which confuses the body and feels tingly, but you don’t want that when it’s cold. You want a hot feeling only.
Sorry about reviving this thread. I’ve been using Castelli embro cream and still trying to figure it out. It has the exact opposite effect on me. Beljum butter, bib on, jersey on, slather embo cream on calves, Knees, and quads, front and back. Wash hands and slip on knee warmers.
Wait 10 mins. Start ride. I am already freezing. The cooling effect makes me shiver. What’s the deal?? What am I doing wrong here? Not even that cold outside, like 45F. I can feel the sensation and the “menthol” effect on my skin but my brain says it’s cold. Anyone else have this prob??
Do all of this…but don’t put on your warmers. Embro needs moisture to kick in. If its too cold and dry you wont get the moisture under your warmers. Ive had this happen when the embro starts to work after my ride is over and I take off my warmers.
I use it on my hands and feet sometimes, but they sweat enough through socks and gloves to activate the HEAT.
I’ve never used true embrocation, but when I was racing triathlons, and later bike rides and races in cooler wet/rainy conditions, typically in that transitional temperature range, before veing cool/cold enough for knee-warmers or leg warmers, I would rub my legs with vaseline - it seems to help keep the legs a bit warmer in these sorts of conditions by keeping the water on top of the skin and shedding off easily.
Note - best applied on shaved legs! 