Embrocation... So Hot Right Now

by Robb Hampton, Features Editor

In case everybody hasn’t noticed, the temperatures have started to take a nosedive.  Mrs. Thompson, my 2nd grade teacher tried to teach me something about the revolution of the earth around the sun while rotating on its axis creating seasons which, in turn, would change weather patterns and the like. I never really paid attention to all that new age science stuff so I don’t know how it all works. What I do know is that it’s getting cold outside and my basic human instinct tells me to stay warm, by any means necessary.

I’ve tried a few things to stay warm when the weather dips. I couldn’t keep the fire going on a torch I carried with me on the bike (the flame kept flying back in my face anyway) and a space heater was too bulky to carry with me. I could take the easy way out and wear leggings along with everybody else but why be normal? What I have found that works, really well, is embrocation.

First, what is embrocation? According to Free Dictionary.com, embrocation is a medicinal liquid that is rubbed into the skin to relieve muscular stiffness and pain. Ok..well, we all know cycling has it’s own vernacular so this is the definition I came up with. Embrocation is stuff you put on your legs to make them tingle, feel hot, look shiny, and loosen your junk up. And it’s awesome.

It’s important to point out that embrocation isn’t just for cold weather riding. Oils and liniments are available for summer riding too and are designed as massage oils, light warming prep, tanning, and vanity. After all, shiny legs look good.

Since we are entering into the doldrums of winter, let’s focus on cold weather embrocation. I want to point out that I bought all this stuff with my own money and didn’t receive any freebies. I also want to point out that most bike shops don’t seem to carry embrocation. You have to go find it yourself. I found mine on the intertubes. Maybe we’ll see a gamjams brand embrocation in the near future and make it easy for everybody here to find. I smell a menthol based collaboration!!

Qoleum embrocation, Hot
This stuff is from Belgium, the motherland of cycling. Simply opening the jar put the hairs in my nose on end. The scent transported visions of spring classics to the front of my cranium and immediately got me excited to go ride in the crappy weather. Application added a nice tinge to my normally white pale legs. After application, riding sans leggings in high 40 degrees and light rain started off a bit chilly as oneould expect. However, about 15 minutes in, I noticed raindrops were beading off my skin and my legs felt the heat of the natural based embrocation. After my ride, I wiped my legs off with a towel and showered only to feel the burn of Qoleum Hot for the rest of the day. During the shower, it was very intense but later in the day, it did feel somewhat therapeutic. Don’t use in temps over 50 degrees. 

5 out 5 hot chilies. WAY HOT

Mad Alchemy Cold Weather Medium Heat
Don’t let the medium rating fool you. This stuff has a kick. The next level is called ‘madness.’  I had similar reactions opening the Mad Alchemy embrocation as I did with Qoleum but for some reason, my brain flashed images of cross rather than cobbles. It also was a little thicker than the other brand but applied just as easy. I was impressed with the sheen that it gave my legs and the immediate tingling sensation I received. My legs felt alive and the scent cleared my olfactory senses during a 3 hour jaunt. It’s kind of nice to smell something nice after riding that long, don’t you think? Wipe off was better too. My legs didn’t burn like hell in the shower but I still had a nice tingle for the rest of the day. Best for temps in the 35s-low 50s.

The good folks at Mad Alchemy are really turning out some good stuff, for all seasons. I can’t wait to try their Chocolate Wish warming embro when my current supply runs out. Would have been perfect for Halloween.

4 out of 5 chilies. JUST RIGHT

Dr. Miracle’s “Feel It” Formula Hot Gro
Although this stuff wasn’t developed for cyclists, I got a nice tip from a fellow cyclist and gave it a go. What is it? Hair and scalp treatment conditioner to stimulate hair growth. I’m serious. What’s in it? The same stuff that is in some cycling embrocations, but not exactly. It’s also easy to find. Go to your local chain based drug store and look in the hair treatment aisle for options. While not as hot as Qoleum or Mad Alchemy, it does give you a nice tingle opening up the capillaries with its clove base. It’s good for bare legs at 50 degrees and up. Application is a breeze and it’s the same consistency as ‘real’ embrocation. I had a nice ride with temps in the 40s and 50s with light drizzle and felt very warm. I had knee warmers with me and only applied them during a break. This stuff is also cheap. About $9 a can I put some on the crown of my head to stimulate hair growth, although this stuff doesn’t see to work for that at all. No issues post ride as all tingling sensations were gone about 3 hours into the ride.

2 out of 5 chilies PASS THE CHULULA

One last thing. If you think you want to try giving embrocation a chance, my only advice would be to apply it AFTER you put your bibs on.


Check out the results of the GamJams embrocation poll.

--

Besides being the judge of hotness for GamJams, Robb Hampton is a husband, father, avid cyclist with a certifiably average VO2Max. Robb races for the Cat 3 Bike Doctor Racing Team. 

Comments

[Greg]

you prolly want to apply the chamois cream first too.

How far up on your leg did you apply it?

[Mary Craighead]

Hi Robb,

One tip for removal is to use witch hazel (without alcohol burns less), which strips it off without opening up the pores too much. You also can use lukewarm, soapy water with pretty reasonable results. The trick is to remove the embrocation without opening and saturating the pores.

You might also check out our small batch embrocation, Winston's Brand. We have a few new products to add to the 2010 line up as well. You can find us at http://www.winstonsbrand.com. Let me know if you have any interest in sampling something.

Cheers,

MC