What is it about embrocation that makes one brand better than another? Is it some secret basement tucked away in a cold, dark corner of Belgium? Some mythical, alchemical balance of flowers, oils, roots, grass, leftovers, what-have-you?
Embrocation comes in varying 'levels' of heat and from a variety of companies - Qoleum, Sixtus and Mad Alchemy are I have used before. Some boast claims like "tested on pro-athletes" (do I hear the grumblings of a some sort of liberation movement to free these pros from the confines of test labs?) to "use at your own risk" - nothing wrong with a little heated adventure, right? With all the different choices out there, and having used a few over the past years, no one ever really talks about how to best get the sometimes searing paste off your legs once you are indoors. Some folks may just grab a bar of soap and get to it. For me, this usually means my legs will feel like hotdogs on a 7-Eleven roaster for a good amount of time after the ride. That is not such a great thing to endure while participating in a VP-level product meeting or trying to down a few at the local watering hole. So what can you do?
There are a few companies out there offering some post-ride soapless treatments, but they never really cut the oils and heat of embro free. Logically, you want something that states it can cut through grease with no problem - and the first thing that came to my mind:
I mixed this with a little water and applied it. Not sure it really cut through the embro as I had hoped, but it was much better than normal bar soap. The lemon scent did not stick around, which is not such a bad thing. I think a big bottle cost about $2 at the local Woodmans, or something to that effect.
Next, I tried Dr. Bronner's Magic All-One soap.
I went with almond as it was on sale. I didn't bother with reading the dilution recommendations and just poured some on a washcloth. Not only does it smell like almond cookies some Chinese restaurants throw in with your carry-out, but it took the grease and heat right off my legs. Both big pluses in my book. This comes in varying size bottles and can easily be pre-diluted for a quick wash if full facilities are not available. The only downside is that this is not always for sale at local grocers. Total cost was $6 for a 32oz bottle (like I said, it was on sale - normally it runs around $9-12 for this size)So if you can grab some Dr Bronner's, do so. Plus the info on the label is kind of entertaining - it's like listening to your drunk Uncle ramble on two hours after the family holiday party is over. If you need some good soap on the fly, hit up the local grocery and grab some grease-cutting dishsoap. Or, HTFU and feel the natural burn of capsicum long after the ride is over. For me, I'll wash it off.
(For the record, I tested this out with Qoleum Medium and Mad Alchemy's Medium and WarmWeather blends. Mad Alchemy's products are damn fine and I recommend giving them a shot)
