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On Skincare

Von Jeremy Dunn • 1st October 2010 12:47am • Geposted in Products

Let us be honest for a minute here. Cyclists have a lot of routines. As a cyclist, it works well to figure out which ones work best for you and then start to add your own adjustments and refinements as you see fit. These could include the way that your route your cables and wrap your bars. Unrelated to the bike they could include how you prepare your coffee before a big ride, or possibly the number of turns you give your shoe ratchets (before backing them off two). Baselayers go under the bibs, unless they don't. Everyone has them and they are all particular to each individual, who knows how they all came about, but the point is, they exist. One routine that has been getting a bit of attention in recent years revolves around the application of embrocations. If you are not yet aware of embrocations and their functions within cycling now is either the time to look away, or sidle up and pay attention.

The person who taught me what I know definitely had his. His process would start on the ride to the race and usually resulted with the remainder of the drive happening with the car windows down, all eyes watering from the sting of embrocations. You see, for him the warmup, the buildup of heat, the preparation was the most important part. "Start with clean, dry, and freshly shaved legs" he would say, "even buff them a bit with a rough dry cloth to prep them to take on the embrocation."

The way that he would get to his desired temperature was to start early and then cover with layers. One needs to eat at least three hours before competition could be considered another routine people ascribe to. This Gentlemen on the other hand, his saying went something more like "Embrocate vigorously at least three hours before competition." His sense (and he is correct) was that the embrocations took some time to warm up, to reach their "peak heat" as it were. A little trial and error and he was on his way to determining the best incubation time for each of the different liniments in that strong smelling travel bag he carries with him everywhere. Because, as you see, this ritual had become part of the bigger picture — an essential to his race day repertoire.

Have a go with selections from the new Skincare line and see what you come up with, for as we know, everyone is a little different. Whatever you do, when your day is done make sure to use soap and water to clear winter embrocation from your skin. There is nothing more unpleasant than a night of sleep interrupted.

See Also: Getting Ready for a Kermis Race — 30 Steps by Joe Parkin

Kommentare

Ryan Watson

1st October 2010 01:58am

I spend long days riding in high altitude sun, so sunscreen is a must. I've never gotten a straight answer on how to combine sunscreen with embrocations.
Currently I apply sunscreen first and then apply embrobation just prior to heading out.
I suppose I could apply embrocation first or maybe even mix them together?
Any suggestions?

PAUL WITTE

1st October 2010 02:12am

Got my skin care order in the mail . Container of winter embrocation was half empty . Company is getting back to me .

David Bayendor

1st October 2010 05:08am

Got my skin care order in the mail. One soap - check… No chamois cream… Two containers of embrocation.. Even though packing list said one of each. Soap smells good, washes up nicely.

Just sent the extra embrocation back, exchange for chamois cream. Be careful on the exchange form, don't select "Sampler" size, select "Standard".

Jon Moss

1st October 2010 07:54am

It was the loss of embrocation virginity yesterday, and overall, it was all good!

Legs looked like fly paper afterwards, and the heat was just about right, although did apply to soon to riding.

Chamois cream was excellent too.

Jon :-)

Peter Cottington

1st October 2010 10:51am

Ok got the embrocation this week. Anyone else noticed the packaging carton it came in is on white stock but, printed black mostly. Then the edges have been penned (I'm guessing) in black to hide the white edges - is there no end to the length Rapha will go to. Also noted the 'recycled' logo is 90 degrees the wrong way round and the tin print is very poor unusually!

James Fairbank

1st October 2010 11:51am

Thanks for your comments Peter, the print on the tin wasn't as sharp as we were hoping for and will be improved in subsequent packaging. The white stock (chosen for clarity of the white text) has indeed been penned. The cartons failed QC as the edges stood out so back they went for correction…

Regarding the quantity of product we've done random checks on the volume of a number of tins and they're all accurate to the volume quoted on the packaging. Apologies if the pictures seem a touch misleading.

Philip King

1st October 2010 12:05pm

Can someone tell me if Chamois cream is still applicable in today's world of technical synthetic padding rather than actual Chamois?

James Fairbank

1st October 2010 12:46pm

I've always used it for anti-bacterial reasons as much as anything else. Certainly it isn't required to soften the synthetic pads used in contemporary shorts in the same way that chamois cream originally was. It can also help with chaffing on longer rides.

Peter Cottington

1st October 2010 01:13pm

James thanks for the reply. Working (Production Director) for a graphic design company i love your packaging but, can't say I could validate our designers rejection of the white edges of cartonboard. Have penned the edges of a few cartons myself but, purely one-offs! Rapha raises the bar yet again…

Stefan Rohner

1st October 2010 02:06pm

""Can someone tell me if Chamois cream is still applicable in today's world of technical synthetic padding rather than actual Chamois?""

Philip, I also would like to know, even on LONG rides…. too much hype about it.

Stefan Rohner

1st October 2010 02:10pm

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2010/09/laying-it-on-thick-your-epidermis-is.html

have fun! ;)))

Bryan Walsh

3rd October 2010 05:13pm

Embrocation and Chamois cream have been great so far! Soap is wonderful as well however it is a pain to travel with because of the shape of the soap. Would be nice if it could fit into a standard travel soap case such as;
http://www.radiustoothbrush.com/soaptravelcase.aspx

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