Ten years ago, I was a newbie cyclist and I’d never before heard of embrocation. Seven years ago I thought embrocation sounded like a really lame substitute for tights or leg warmers. Five years ago I started using it occasionally for really cold cyclocross races, and found that I raced better with warm stuff on my knees and calves than I did in lycra knee warmers that inevitably left me looking like the Michelin man or sliding down my legs mid-race.
I hated putting the stinky stuff on, though, and even worse hated the chemical burns it left on my admittedly pale, freckled skin. My husband likes really *hot* embrocation (he likes really hot showers, too). I think he has too few nerve endings in his skin, or maybe he’s just tougher than I am.
I like embrocation that goes on without pain…that sends a nice gentle warming sensation over the covered area, but doesn’t make me feel like I’ve got a third degree sunburn on a 20 minute drive to a local race. I like embrocation has enough staying power to beat a little rain or snow, but not so much that I have to rub the top two layers of skin off with a bath mitt to get rid of it. Over the years I’d tried several brands without a real feeling of success.
At the end of 2009 we tried Crank (Get yours at www.chomperbody.com) in the Spicy Hot warming version and together worked our way through two full 4oz tubs of it before the end of the cyclocross season in the midwest. BINGO! The mix of essential oils, beeswax and shea butter provide the perfect base for the heat, going on just where you want it (and not where you don’t) and staying for several hours resisting wind, rain and snow. Yes, Crank attracts a little sand if you ride through it, but then, that just looks cool, doesn’t it?!
Crank offers a nice slow burn that feels warm to both of us once it’s on and rubbed in (even when it’s well below freezing), but doesn’t make me scream in agony, and doesn’t leave me with chemical burns after showering. It comes off with regular soap and water, too, which is a bonus. Besides all that, it actually smells good! (Don’t want to risk getting Crank where you shouldn’t? Put it on with a plastic sandwich bag over your hand, then throw the bag away.)
We’re both converts, after having raced with the Spicy Hot Warming version of Crank at the 2010 World Masters Cyclocross Championship, in the true home of embrocation, Belgium. And, at our house, embrocation is not just for cyclocross anymore. Crank has made several chilly spring time trials and long rides much more comfortable for us, and is now on the LocalCycling.com list of cycling essentials.