posted Jun 26, 2008

embrocation - personal preference is only use when wet / cold - and if you ride better without then there's your answer. Gym machine vs Road - cannot really put a conversion factor on it - but would guess 1.5 - 2 times more difficult on road.

oh back to the embrocation - always put chamois cream on BEFORE you apply embrocation products and never mix the two up.

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posted Jun 26, 2008

One of the main difficulties in trying to relate theoretical times achieved indoors with actual race/TT performance are that out on the road there are more variables like wind, rain, temperature and topography. Then there’s the traffic that can hinder, such as having to slow at roundabouts, or help, like traffic-assisted times where you are travelling in the same direction as a busy road.

And rollers aside, you aren’t learning any bike handling skills in the gym/garage.

If the gym is your thing then enjoy it for what it provides, a stable environment to do targeted training. I really wouldn’t worry too much about trying to convert indoor/outdoor times. Just contact a local cycling club and give their 10 TT a go. You probably (?) won’t put in the fastest time and there is no shame in starting on a normal road bike, but it gives you something to aim at next time.

Embrocation - never used it. A bit close to the shaved the legs debate for me.

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posted Jun 26, 2008

paulthebike:-'always put chamois cream on BEFORE you apply embrocation products and never mix the two up.'

I always have my shorts on before I reach for the embrocation, so it's unlikey that I'd get the two confused.

I think the theory behind embrocation is that it increases blood flow. Surely the embrocation itself will only affect blood flow in the upper dermis, not deep in the muscles where you'd want it. This is why I'm doubting its efficacy.

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posted Jun 26, 2008

I think the comparisson of gym to real cycle riding should be on its own thread.

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posted Jun 27, 2008

I used to race road/time-trial from the ages of about 13 to 27; I've now taken it up again last year at age 43. In the early years I used to put on embrocation religiously. Then one time I stopped, went faster, and never used it again.

If you want to keep your legs warm, then put on lycra leg warmers, or alternatively you might put on a light layer of baby-oil (might be best to shave your legs if you do this).

If you want your legs to be in good condition for a race, make sure you have a reasonable warm-up ride. As CyclingSid said, embrocation only seems to direct the blood to the skin - not the muscles.

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posted Jun 27, 2008

embrocation = deep heat ?
Never used for cycling, used to when playing rugby .. more psychological than physiological !

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posted Jun 27, 2008

usually a lot, lot stronger than deep heat. Sports Balm (very hot - almost burns when you come back into the warmth) or Ozone products - they do warm the skin layers only - allowing you to worry about the muscles.

Was only joking about mixing up with chamois cream.................

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posted Jun 28, 2008

I had to look this up despite holding a Sport Science degree.

Embrocation whether you know it or not causes vasodilation of blood vessels near the skin, thereby reducing circulating blood mass.

*claps slowly*

I hope none of you ever become coaches.

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posted Jun 28, 2008

druss_the_legend

'Embrocation whether you know it or not causes vasodilation of blood vessels near the skin, thereby reducing circulating blood mass.'

'Vasodilation'? That's not in my dictionary. Dilation would indicate an opening up of the blood vessels near the skin. Surely that would mean more blood passing close to the skin? That is not where I think it should be. Could you answer this in plain language - embrocation, good or bad?

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posted Jun 29, 2008

By the power of goggle...

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?Vasodilation

Vasodilation - What my uneducated guess thinks happens is that your blood vessels relax, become larger in diameter and carries more blood, lowering your blood pressure in the process.

Personally I think embrocation is one of those things that’s perfectly fine, but unless you are repeatedly riding at a very high level of performance its benefits comes more from your mental well-being i.e. it’s part of your routine that makes you feel good, rather than physical performance. Still, if you have a good frame of mind you usually ride well and enjoy it.

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