Review: Mad Alchemy Embrocation

Mad Alchemy- Worlds Collide CX Worlds 2013 Special Edition Embrocation.

Embrocation is one of those things that you are either ambivalent about or you are really into. I live in a more Northern climate (Southern Ontario/Buffalo, NY) so I've learned the value of using embro. to improve and extend a winter ride or CX race.

Mad Alchemy has been my go to brand for the last few seasons, prior to that it was Leg Salsa. I still really dig the consistent heat of Leg Salsa, it's ease of removal and the fact it has aspirin in it, but the smell is something I've never been able to get past. It kinda does smell like salsa, but closer to a stanky crisper bin in your refrigerator where a jar of salsa may have been spilled several months earlier.

At any rate M.A. is a great product and is a one man operation. I belive the brewmaster is named Pete and having dealt with him via on-line ordering I can say he's a good guy and really wants to do what ever he can to keep you happy. In the past of I've used the Uber Secret Coffee version (with real bits of panther and caffeine*) and have been loving its mellow buzz on my legs. It has a great sweet coffee smell and like I mentioned is super consisent in its heat. So when I was at Cyclocross Worlds in Louisville this year I was super stoked to see they had made a special "Worlds Collide" edition. 

Today was the first ride I used this great smelling embro on. Apparently it is infused with bourbon as hommage to the city that hosted the event. I know MA has a pretty well defined heat guide with most of their products and on their site www.madalchemy.com they give you a variety of options for which intensity/flavour. This is not the case with the CX Worlds edition. The jar itself says nothing about the heat level and it's not even listed on the MA site since it was only available at the race and now on-line through the Louisville 2013 merch page  So I was surprised to find this stuff was damn hot!

Temps were around 6/40 degrees today with a bit of a wind chill and since some of the ride took me past the Niagara River I was subjected to more intense winds. In total I had the embro on for about 3hrs of riding and found it started to really kick in about 30 minutes in. As usual it started mellow then I really noticed it was heating. The other MA prods I used have been a lot less potent than this one! At about 1 1/2 hrs we stopped for a coffee break and as soon as I stepped out of the cold I could really feel the heat. Nothing bad, but very noticeable. For the rest of the ride I was comforted by its glow and found it was great since I was wearing 3/4 bibs and did a great job of warming my exposed bits.

When I got home this is when things went south. After about 10 minutes in the door and after removing my fancy pants and such I began to really feel an instense heat...so much so that I had to get it off me. So to the shower I went. Unfortunately the heat from the shower only intensified things and reminded me of the time I got 2nd degree sunburn while in Italy. I was having trouble getting the oil based product of my skin...probably having some of the MA unbrocation would have helped. After getting out of the shower the heat was still unpleasant so I began putting on a skin creme designed to soothe sunburns...finally some respite.

Bottom line. I really dig this one..great smell and excellent heat. I however have to caution it would be best for the coldest days (freezing and below) and to be prepared to remove it immediately post ride with something the strips oil based products...maybe paint thinner or varsol. I can't see myself actually using it for fall CX racing. Oh also don't put it on your ass...bad idea.

Hinterland Who's Who.

As a youth growing up in the Great White North I fondly recall the Hinterland: Who's Who segments that were broadcast on CBC. Where else could I learn minutia of detail about the Lynx, Moose, Blue or Prairie Dog. When I think of winter of think of these videos and that theme music is what I hope is played at my funeral (looped over and over). For those unfamiliar with what the hell I'm talking about, here's a sampling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l5ap0p_3-o

What does this have to do with anything you ask? Not much really, I thought it was simply a good way to start off my return to blogging.

So what's on the agenda eh? Well It's February in Ontario and it's cold as shit. Been mostly hibernating and coming off week 3 with a persistent cold. Getting ready for a week of South Carolina riding in April, trying to amass odds and ends that are needed and budget. Biggest challenge is getting my car in road travel shape. My 98 Volvo has seen better days and since we bought a newer one a few years ago this guy just gets buzzed back and forth to work and in town. Fear not though as he's scheduled to get some new tie rods and control arms this week!! Yay.

SC will be a blast! A buddy and I have rented a room from a TO local who rents a massive house each season in South Carolina. We're bringing road and MTB bikes and my goal is to balance beer consumption with riding, fingers crossed I don't have to contend with insufferable roadies who spout off endlessly about lactate thresholds and wattage. May need to smack a bitch if that's the scene I roll up on.

I'm still loving my new True North CX bike. Only complaint is the wonky eccentric BB that tends to loosen constantly. Pinch bolts not a good idea! I'm pretty happy with it's current configuration, though I need to play with gearing a bit. Not sure if 38x18 is the best combination for me and my local riding, though it's a blast to ride in the single track. My first CX race on it was mostly fun, despite being 1 of 2 SS riders in the Master class. Not sure I'll return to that scene again, unless Ontario events start to learn some lessons in "fun" from our neighbours to the South. Bike racing does not need to be a serious thing people.......remember when you had fun riding your bike! You're not too old for that. Inset pic. shows me prepping my rig for a Halloween trail ride with my club. Best score all season was the bargain bin discovery of an adjustable Zefal bottle cage designed to hold 1.5ltr watter bottles. Not to ironically I discovered it also perfectly fit a 40oz of OE....represent!

Anyhow I'm planning on getting more regular with my posts and scheming up a direction to take this whole deal. As a hint I'm toying with entering an infamous PA long distance Cyclocross race in the single speed category. More to come on this later, but this will be a huge feat for a currently over weight, out of shape Canuck.

This is all for now.....fill your ear holes with this, SNFU got me through some shit times as a dumb kid...thank Mr. Chi Pig

Toronto Bike Show....boring Sidney boring..

I punish myself every spring debating about attending the annual Toronto Bike show. I know in my mind that it's really a complete waste of time and money and 99% of the vendors are just trying to unload crap they couldn't move in their store (hear that La Bicicletta with you XXL Rapha jerseys!).

Since we were coming to the city to visit friends and have a "grown up" weekend I thought "why the hell not go and see if I can't grab a few odds and ends...

Well after fighting past people for 2 hours and picking up crap that I really don't need. That is expect for a vintage San Marco Rolls saddle and a Park truing stand I had again confirmed that the show is a life sucker. $12 bucks at the door to walk about and admire the 5 different shops tring to unload 2009 Tarmacs and Giant Bowerys.

The only highlight was the True North booth which again allowed me to oogle their amazing bikes. I suggest everyone proceed to their shop and order up a sweep ride....now goddammit! Alas if your like me and not able to drop $1500 on a custom frame at the moment, then simply start saving your pennies...kay.

I snapped a total of 2 pics....enjoy them bitches..