8 embrocation mistakes you absolutely don’t want to make

Embrocation cream, often referred to as Belgian knee warmers, can make you feel invincible and ready to crush your competition bare legged no matter how biting the cold. It can also lead to extreme discomfort, sensations of burning in sensitive areas and other inconveniences if applied incorrectly.

Cycling embrocation is a balm, oil or salve rubbed into the legs to make them feel hot when the weather is cold. It produces a pleasing warm feeling and often replaces leg warmers or tights for cold weather racing in cyclocross and on the road. But it should be used with some measure of caution. To prevent things from going terribly awry and ensure your legs feel like pillars of power, avoid these embrocation mistakes at all cost:

1) Applying embrocation before kitting up

A common mistake is applying embrocation before dressing up for riding it. While you may want to get the application done as soon as possible, it’s a very bad idea doing it before you are in kit. While embro often takes up to 30 minutes to activate, you’ll want to be in your bibs when you do apply it. This ensures that no embro will spread when you dress and make it’s way to places it’s totally undesirable. Be mindful of where you apply embrocation cream as well, it can be very hard to get out of clothing.

2) Touching your eyes or other sensitive areas post-application

Even if you have thoroughly cleaned your hands after rubbing the embro into your legs, it’s possible there is some residue left on your skin. If embrocation gets in your eyes when you go to itch them or other sensitive areas, you could be in for a burning sensation in places you really don’t want it. It’s suggested to even apply embrocation wearing latex gloves if you don’t have the means of thoroughly cleaning your hands.

3) Acting like the embrocation is actually keeping you warm

While your legs may feel warm, this is only because embrocation stimulates blood vessels and the blood flow in your legs. It won’t protect your legs for extreme cold and frostbite. Applying embrocation won’t help your muscles warm up so it won’t supplement your warm up. If the weather is extremely cold, consider a pair of knickers or knee warmers.

4) Using the washroom post embro application

It’s common to take one last bathroom break before race time but you do not want to have already applied embrocation when you do so. Not only could it spread around when you remove your clothing but any residue that gets on your hands could then make it’s way to your sensitive nether regions.

5) Taking a steamy hot post-race shower or bath without cleaning the embrocation off

The wet tends to further activate embrocation and that pleasing warm sensation cwill turn into sheering burning if you hop into the shower without removing it. Before taking a bath or shower, remove absolutely as much of the embrocation from your legs as possible.

6) Applying embrocation to unshaven legs

Embrocation goes on like butter when your legs are freshly shaven. Applying it to tangles of hair will not only be unpleasant, but getting it off will be extremely difficult. Embrocation also tends to attract dirt and grim meaning it will be much easier to get your legs clean with nicely shaven legs.

7) Accidentally confusing creams

Chamois cream, embrocation cream and moisturizers can come in similar containers. Mix them up and it will be like pouring orange juice into your coffee but much, much more painful.

8) Packing your pockets and preparing your bottles after embro application

While filling your bottles and putting your phone, snacks, and other essentials into your pockets is usually the last thing you do before getting on the bike, you will want to get this all done before applying your embrocation cream. All precautions to avoid cross contamination should be taken. Also be careful where you sit once your legs are all gleaming and greasy.