Embrocation:<\/p>\n
\nem\u00b7bro\u00b7ca\u00b7tion<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n\n\u02ccembr\u0259\u02c8k\u0101SH(\u0259)n\/<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n\nnoun<\/em><\/div>\n\n
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\na liquid used for rubbing on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nEmbro. Leg Lube. \u00a0Belgian knee warmers. \u00a0Whatever you call it, it's something that has fascinated cyclists for decades. \u00a0It is an essential part of cyclocross, but has become an accepted and even necessary part of fall, winter and early spring road cycling. \u00a0It's something that many people speak of in hushed tones, in reverence and wonderment. Embrocation is akin to leg shaving<\/a> in terms of the depth of puzzling looks received by those new to the sport (and indeed, those outside the sport.) \u00a0It's a skin protector. \u00a0It's a leg “polish.” \u00a0It's a warming agent. \u00a0Truly, it's as close to the very essence of cycling as one can get without chattering over the bergs of Belgium on a steel Bianchi. \u00a0But why is that so?<\/p>\n
If you're new to embrocation, you may rightly be wondering what the fuss is all about. \u00a0“It must be easy to just rub it in and ride off into the sunset, right?” \u00a0Sure, your legs will shine like gleaming beacons of power and destruction, and they will tingle with the a warmth indicative of the spring classics.\u00a0 But beware, for\u00a0circumstances\u00a0can go horribly awry and end with an eye opening, possibly life changing (and certainly nether-region demolishing)\u00a0experience.<\/p>\n
As with all things in life, there's a right and a wrong way to undertake any task. \u00a0And the correct method of embrocating bliss is to speak of “The Ritual” which should accompany each embrocating experience you undertake.<\/p>\n
First, you'll probably need some embro. \u00a0I'm personally a huge fan of
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t[easyazon_link identifier=”B00B5TAPQO” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Mad Alchemy Gentleman's Blend[\/easyazon_link] for cool days, and\u00a0<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t[easyazon_link identifier=”B00BD4AVYM” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Mad Alchemy Warm Weather[\/easyazon_link] for warmer days (the warm weather variety has no heat to it at all, just some delightful spearmint oil to wake up the legs, facilitate a solid pre-ride massage and protect your skin from sun, dirt, etc.)<\/p>\nNow that you have your embro, you need to apply it. \u00a0But before you do read more after the jump. \u00a0To help you out on the path to righteous embrocating,\u00a0I'm going to go through some of the “do's” and “don'ts” of embrocating, along with the ramifications of each.<\/p>\n
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Embrocation Do:<\/h2>\n
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- Apply liberally:<\/strong> \u00a0Get a good glob of that spicy goodness out of the tub and smear it onto your waiting pistons. \u00a0In some cases, less is more, but you want a goodly amount to go around and work into your muscles before you start. \u00a0 But hold on, cowboy, there's a method to the madness of applying your chosen liniment…<\/li>\n
- Massage it in:<\/strong> \u00a0Before you go hog wild just wiping embro onto your skin, consider what I call “The Ritual.” \u00a0Start by covering your patella and patellar tendon, hamstring tendons, the distal part of your IT band and your achilles tendon (if not wearing tall socks) with embro. \u00a0Work it in with your fingers, opening up the fibers in those tendons and loosening them up for a couple seconds each. \u00a0Then, with broad strokes, swipe up the calf and lower leg, into the hamstrings and quads. \u00a0Return to the quad and, starting at the achilles, use both hands to stroke upward and outward, following the orientation of the muscle fibers. \u00a0Continue into the hamstrings, starting at the tendons in the back of the knee and kneading\u00a0towards the midline of your leg. \u00a0For the quads, start with the lateral quad by working up the muscle with both hands, and then knead the medial quad with short strokes from the patella up towards the inside of the leg. \u00a0Repeat with the other leg. \u00a0And before you do ANYTHING else….<\/li>\n
- Wash your hands after application:<\/strong> Because you really don't need to have embro (and the capsaicin contained therein) added to any sensitive area of the body. \u00a0Use dish soap for the grease cutting capability or, if you're lubing up before a race, a wet wipe at least. \u00a0If you're using a wet wipe, I hope you have gloves with you.<\/li>\n
- Use it on other sore spots:<\/strong> Your lower back may be a prime candidate here. \u00a0The warming, toasty sensation along with the muscle relaxing properties is a great adjunct when you're fighting with stiffness or soreness in your low back muscles.<\/li>\n
- Make sure legs are shaved<\/a>:<\/strong> \u00a0Please. \u00a0PLEASE. \u00a0PLEASE!!!! \u00a0If you're not part of the “shaven ones” then don't use embro. \u00a0Just don't. \u00a0We don't want to look at the matted mess that is your leg hair embedded in a rapeseed and shea butter concoction. \u00a0Plus, it just looks like you rode through a cow pasture, and that's kind of nasty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n