b hamon

Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
muscular calves all year?

Yes.
And also -- not necessarily.
Sure, if you've got great calves (presumably at least in part from all the cycling), why NOT show them off a bit?
But also, applying embrocation and massaging it in on a very cold morning helps physically as well as psychologically.
I love and use Northwest Kneewarmers Embrocation--

http://northwestkneewarmers.wordpress.com/

--and find that, except for the newest, hottest formula, it's easy to remove in the shower after my race with soap, water and a washcloth. (For the latest concoction, bringing a bottle of rubbing alcohol to apply to hosed-off legs after your race is not a bad idea, especially if you plan to hang out and watch for awhile after your race is over.)

And no, it doesn't "hurt". It's intense, but not exactly painful. Once you've rubbed it in (using vinyl exam gloves to reduce the likelihood of rubbing your eyes and regretting it later) the blood is circulating more and the embro goes to work right away. For best results apply about 30 to 60 minutes before your race. It should be working about full-strength by call-ups.

Beth

http://bikelovejones1.blogspot.com/

Portland Bicycle Studio

http://mollycameron.com/2010/10/27/re-embrocation-choices/

Kori Kunz

Check out the info on the Northwest Knee Warmers blog--there is actual science behind the use of embrocation--and you're not actually burning your skin or self.  And has anyone mentioned how nice it smells?  I used to be a (cloth) knee warmers advocate, but Northwest Knee Warmers embrocation has won me over.  Check out the info for yourself: http://northwestkneewarmers.wordpress.com/ and try some out before you make up your mind.
Cheers!

--- On Wed, 10/27/10, John Bravard wrote:

From: John Bravard
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 4:50 PM

Does burning one's skin with products actually have a measurable effect on muscle temperature? I assume not. My three options: bare legs, knee warmers, leg warmers.

On Oct 27, 2010, at 16:39, Edward Groth wrote:

> Tapatio sauce and beeswax.  Nuke for 30 seconds then half on the head
> to keep your dome warm, other half on the knees.
>
> On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Dan H wrote:
>> Vasoline....
>>
>>
>> On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:56 PM, "Brett Boyles"
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I am confused about why anyone would want to use embrocation? Why not
>>> just wear tights or leg/knee warmers? Your legs would actually be warm
>>> without having to chemically make them feel warm. Please enlighten me.
>>>
>>> Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
>>> muscular calves all year?
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Jimmy Gantz
>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:05 PM
>>> To: obra@list.obra.org
>>> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>>>
>>> I would like some suggestions on embrocation.  Do you embrocate?  What
>>> brand/type do you use?  Where do you purchase it? What would work in
>>> Portland type weather?
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Jerald M Powell

There are lots of options for embrocation. A bit of heat does
(probably psychologically) feel good... but the biggest advantage of
greasing up is to provide a bit of waterproofing and a slicker surface
for the water, mud, road film (etc) to slide off of. In that sense, a
good application of bag balm or a heavy petroleum jelly is just fine.
just the heavy oil will cut the cold a lot. If it also has some heat
to it, so much the better. Cramer's products are an old tried and
true product (Cramergesic for moderate heat... Atomic Balm for the
really hot stuff). Avoid getting it behind your knee, or applying
chamois stuff after putting either of these on! In any case, take a
bottle of Rubbing Alcohol along to neutralize and remove it after
racing.

As for why bother... you only have to slog through a race once with
tights trying to slide down and catch to front of your saddle every
time you get out of the saddle or dismount to understand why bother.

... I do recall one Volunteer Park, many years ago when I followed
this really tall skinny Asian guy with the shiniest calf muscles I'd
ever seen managed to sit right in front of me the whole race. Every
time I saw an opening, he was in it ahead of me. He won and I got
lost in the sprint. Shiniest legs on the planet. Baby oil and
Intensive Care.

Jerry

On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:30 PM, halfwheelhill@yahoo.com wrote:

> I have some quolum (sp). Not really impressed with it. I use ozone
> elite warming oil and it works great in all temps. The problem with
> the embrocations, I have found, is that they are really hard to get
> off your skin. Like light you on fire in the shower several hours
> after the race.
>
> Scott
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roger Joys
> Sender: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
> Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:24:10
> To: Jimmy Gantz
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>
> Northwest Knee Warmers is a local company making a good product:
>
> http://northwestkneewarmers.com/index.html
>
>
> On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:04 PM, Jimmy Gantz wrote:
>
>> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate?
>> What brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would
>> work in Portland type weather?
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Amy Shepard

Veloshop downtown sells mad alchemy (in several varieties and tempterature ranges.. as well as their chamois cream) .. though last I saw they're getting low in stock, flying off the shelves!!

tackyglueit

yes but we are all not blessed with your handsomeness sir bravo.

On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 4:50 PM, John Bravard wrote:

> Does burning one's skin with products actually have a measurable effect on
> muscle temperature? I assume not. My three options: bare legs, knee warmers,
> leg warmers.
>
>
>
> On Oct 27, 2010, at 16:39, Edward Groth wrote:
>
> > Tapatio sauce and beeswax. Nuke for 30 seconds then half on the head
> > to keep your dome warm, other half on the knees.
> >
> > On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Dan H wrote:
> >> Vasoline....
> >>
> >>
> >> On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:56 PM, "Brett Boyles" >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I am confused about why anyone would want to use embrocation? Why not
> >>> just wear tights or leg/knee warmers? Your legs would actually be warm
> >>> without having to chemically make them feel warm. Please enlighten me.
> >>>
> >>> Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
> >>> muscular calves all year?
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
> On
> >>> Behalf Of Jimmy Gantz
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:05 PM
> >>> To: obra@list.obra.org
> >>> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
> >>>
> >>> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What
> >>> brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in
> >>> Portland type weather?
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> OBRA mailing list
> >>> obra@list.obra.org
> >>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> OBRA mailing list
> >>> obra@list.obra.org
> >>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> OBRA mailing list
> >> obra@list.obra.org
> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

John Bravard

Does burning one's skin with products actually have a measurable effect on muscle temperature? I assume not. My three options: bare legs, knee warmers, leg warmers.

On Oct 27, 2010, at 16:39, Edward Groth wrote:

> Tapatio sauce and beeswax. Nuke for 30 seconds then half on the head
> to keep your dome warm, other half on the knees.
>
> On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Dan H wrote:
>> Vasoline....
>>
>>
>> On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:56 PM, "Brett Boyles"
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I am confused about why anyone would want to use embrocation? Why not
>>> just wear tights or leg/knee warmers? Your legs would actually be warm
>>> without having to chemically make them feel warm. Please enlighten me.
>>>
>>> Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
>>> muscular calves all year?
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Jimmy Gantz
>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:05 PM
>>> To: obra@list.obra.org
>>> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>>>
>>> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What
>>> brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in
>>> Portland type weather?
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Edward Groth

Tapatio sauce and beeswax. Nuke for 30 seconds then half on the head
to keep your dome warm, other half on the knees.

On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Dan H wrote:
> Vasoline....
>
>
> On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:56 PM, "Brett Boyles"
> wrote:
>
>> I am confused about why anyone would want to use embrocation? Why not
>> just wear tights or leg/knee warmers? Your legs would actually be warm
>> without having to chemically make them feel warm. Please enlighten me.
>>
>> Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
>> muscular calves all year?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of Jimmy Gantz
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:05 PM
>> To: obra@list.obra.org
>> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>>
>> I would like some suggestions on embrocation.  Do you embrocate?  What
>> brand/type do you use?  Where do you purchase it? What would work in
>> Portland type weather?
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

Dan H

Vasoline....

On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:56 PM, "Brett Boyles"
wrote:

> I am confused about why anyone would want to use embrocation? Why not
> just wear tights or leg/knee warmers? Your legs would actually be warm
> without having to chemically make them feel warm. Please enlighten me.
>
> Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
> muscular calves all year?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
> On
> Behalf Of Jimmy Gantz
> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:05 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>
> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What
> brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in
> Portland type weather?
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Dan H

I'd ask Aaron C. But he unsubscribed.

Dan Houghton
Southwest Bicycle, LLC
3605 SW Multnomah Blvd
503-246-0333
www.swbicycle.com

On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:30 PM, halfwheelhill@yahoo.com wrote:

> I have some quolum (sp). Not really impressed with it. I use ozone
> elite warming oil and it works great in all temps. The problem with
> the embrocations, I have found, is that they are really hard to get
> off your skin. Like light you on fire in the shower several hours
> after the race.
>
> Scott
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roger Joys
> Sender: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
> Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:24:10
> To: Jimmy Gantz
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>
> Northwest Knee Warmers is a local company making a good product:
>
> http://northwestkneewarmers.com/index.html
>
>
> On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:04 PM, Jimmy Gantz wrote:
>
>> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate?
>> What brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would
>> work in Portland type weather?
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Brooke Hoyer

I embrocate with mud, rain, and the glowing sheen of competition.

Cyclocross blog

> Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:04:57 -0700
> From: yoshigan3@gmail.com
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>
> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in Portland type weather?
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

tackyglueit

you hit the nail on the head.

On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 2:56 PM, Brett Boyles wrote:

> I am confused about why anyone would want to use embrocation? Why not
> just wear tights or leg/knee warmers? Your legs would actually be warm
> without having to chemically make them feel warm. Please enlighten me.
>
> Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
> muscular calves all year?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of Jimmy Gantz
> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:05 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>
> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What
> brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in
> Portland type weather?
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

Brett Boyles

I am confused about why anyone would want to use embrocation? Why not
just wear tights or leg/knee warmers? Your legs would actually be warm
without having to chemically make them feel warm. Please enlighten me.

Is this a vanity thing so people can show off their oiled, shaven,
muscular calves all year?

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Jimmy Gantz
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:05 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices

I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What
brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in
Portland type weather?
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

tackyglueit

these guys say that is because of lack of moisturizing...........
http://classiccyclingessentials.com/index.php?main_page=index&zenid=b7h7th1em9eaipek3u6iho0qd7

On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 2:30 PM, wrote:

> I have some quolum (sp). Not really impressed with it. I use ozone elite
> warming oil and it works great in all temps. The problem with the
> embrocations, I have found, is that they are really hard to get off your
> skin. Like light you on fire in the shower several hours after the race.
>
> Scott
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roger Joys
> Sender: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
> Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:24:10
> To: Jimmy Gantz
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices
>
> Northwest Knee Warmers is a local company making a good product:
>
> http://northwestkneewarmers.com/index.html
>
>
> On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:04 PM, Jimmy Gantz wrote:
>
> > I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What
> brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in
> Portland type weather?
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

halfwheelhill@yahoo.com

I have some quolum (sp). Not really impressed with it. I use ozone elite warming oil and it works great in all temps. The problem with the embrocations, I have found, is that they are really hard to get off your skin. Like light you on fire in the shower several hours after the race.

Scott
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Joys
Sender: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:24:10
To: Jimmy Gantz
Cc:
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Embrocation choices

Northwest Knee Warmers is a local company making a good product:

http://northwestkneewarmers.com/index.html

On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:04 PM, Jimmy Gantz wrote:

> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in Portland type weather?
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Roger Joys

Northwest Knee Warmers is a local company making a good product:

http://northwestkneewarmers.com/index.html

On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:04 PM, Jimmy Gantz wrote:

> I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in Portland type weather?
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

steve dale

Mad alchemy. Uber secret formula. Stuff is awesome.

On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, Jimmy Gantz wrote:
> I would like some suggestions on embrocation.  Do you embrocate?  What brand/type do you use?  Where do you purchase it? What would work in Portland type weather?
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

Jimmy Gantz

I would like some suggestions on embrocation. Do you embrocate? What brand/type do you use? Where do you purchase it? What would work in Portland type weather?