Francesco Moser Poster

I got this sweet poster of Francesco Moser from the LRHG's uncle the other day.  A friend of his brought it back from Italy.  He says that it is from Moser's shop and was autographed by the man himself.  See the signature over the F?  

There is so much to love about this poster.  The old school bubble font.  The clip's and strap's. Moser's massive thigh's.  Exposed brake cables. Grinding in the little ring out of the saddle.  That faraway glare.  

A few thing's I really dig are the guys smoking as they cheer, and the young girl who looks likes she is praying.  Possibly for a(nother) Moser victory.

The woman standing away from the crowd holding her baby catches my eye as well.  Possibly she is trying to stay away from the noise to keep the kid awake.

Maybe I over analyzed it.

I am trying to figure out a place to hang this.  For some reason I keep fighting the urge to hang it in my bedroom thinking that it would look more like a sixteen year old's room.

Embrocation Primer

I just started using embrocation a few years ago.  I had heard of he magic effects of this warming cream and I am not a big fan of freezing so I decided to try it.

In general I like embrocation.  The thing is, no one ever taught me to use it and being a dude I never asked. How hard could it be?  Rub some cream on your legs, get warm ride, done.  Only it isn't that easy.

The stories of people getting embrocation in their eyes, on their junk and even worse, in women's lady bits are abundant and often great stories.  People always speak about the "after burn" or getting in the shower and having the stuff re-awaken.  I am not a fan of that.  It has been said by many that the after burn is just part of the process.  Part of the process I don't like.

Because of these stories I have always treated embrocation like toxic waste. I am almost afraid of the stuff, even though I like to use it.  Last year I got smarter and started talking to people about their embro tip's and even used this thing called Google my friend turned me on to and found out peoples tricks.

Here is my process.

But before we get started I wanted to head off any Chicken Leg jokes that are sure to come my way.  I almost didn't use pictures but it makes the story telling easier.

My embrocation of choice is Mad Alchemy.  The Uber Secret Coffee has a nice smell and a bit less burn than the standard medium.

The capsicum can have a bit of a burn to it but, it has let me race cyclocross in just knee warmers all season. Some folks just use the embrocation but I have bad knees and don't like exposing them to the cold air like that even if they feel warm.

Always put your shorts on prior to applying embrocation. Also pull your shorts up above where you normally put them. You don't want to drag the stuff directly into your groin, Unless your into that kinda thing.  I like to put my socks on as well and roll them down so I don't have to risk rubbing my forearms or jersey sleeves in the embro pulling my socks on.  Plus if its really cold I will rub the cream into the tops of my feet as well as my legs.

Probably the best trick I learned this year is to use a rubber glove to apply.

This trick is great because then I can actually use my hand afterwards without fear of getting the burn anywhere I don't want it (see above)

I get a fair amount on my fingertips and then drag it up my leg in a line.

Then I rub it in on the front of the leg.  I don't do the back of my leg because it doesn't really see the wind and I am not a fan of the heat when the burn gets going behind the knee.

Note the rolled down socks and shorts pulled above their set line

Then I pull up the socks, put the shorts in place and continue getting ready.  All the time I am getting ready I am cognizant of the cream and sure not to rub against it while putting on Knee warmers, tights or anything else for that matter.

Next step: Go ride.  Enjoy nice toasty legs and the occasional "whoa" my legs just got really warm sensation.

Post Ride.

The other trick I learned this year that has increased my enjoyment of embrocation is getting it off of my legs.  This way I can enjoy my shower without the water re-awakening the the cream and making my legs feel on fire.  Also then I am not afraid to do things like pull on my jeans after a race and be afraid that I am pulling a bunch of hot cream into my nether regions.

I had heard of people using hand sanitizer, moist towellettes, or alcohol pads.  None of this seemed to work really well for me.

My low tech approach is to take a bottle of rubbing alcohol.

Then pour a bunch into a few paper towel's.

See the puddle in the center

Then wipe off your legs

See the embro

I can still feel a twinge of heat sometimes after removing the Embro but nothing like full blown heat and the fire doesn't turn on in the shower.

I keep all of this in a plastic shoe box storage thingy.

Last important note:  Don't mistake your Embrocation for Chamois Cream.  Seriously I know people who have done it.

Stevie Wonder Sunday (?)

Yeah It's Stevie Wonder Sunday not Saturday.  No biggie.

This motivated my unmotivated self to get out into the freezing cold, with a Stevie playlist in my earhole of course.



If Stevie can work it out so can you

The Pines

I took a ride in the Batsto Village last weekend.  It really isn't a village per se, it is a part of the Wharton State Forest.  It is convenient to the LRHG's P's place so I figured why not.  Fatmarc and T-rav had recently ridden there and had good things to say.

Normally a ride in the Pine Barrens isn't high on my list.  In the summer I will still stay away.  I can't ride fast enough to escape green-head flies and mosquitos.  This winter ride was an exception though.  It rained all the day before and packed down the sand tight.  There was a 6 mile loop an 8 mile loop and a 19 mile loop.

I chose the 19 mile loop.  No elevation to speak of but fun and twisty.  I saw one group of two guys on cross bikes out there.  I kinda recognized them from Fifth Street cross, but we blew past each other just saying "Hey".

I was enjoying the ride and thinking I should stop for some pic's but didn't because I wanted to get back.

Then I saw this.  I decided to get all arty with the amazing camera in my phone.  I wish I had the fisheye lens attachment LRHG gave me for christmas then I coulda been all pro like.

This downed pine tree just spoke to me.

Maybe it is the graying?

Pinecones + Lichen = Cool

Obligatory Life Behind Bars shot.  

This would be a great place to single speed but I chose gears.

These trees were a little close 

Somebody lost there beer.....awhile ago

The loop was fun.

It made me so happy I got crazy eyes.

I'll be back.  Maybe I can even talk someone into making the trek down next time.

The weather has been so mild that mother Nature is confused.

This weekend, ride your bike, relax, and don't believe the lies being spread by the anti unicorn establishment.

Really?

This ad campaign blows my mind.

GnarLube has this horrible advertising campaign. I get the "sex sell's" concept but......

This isn't even subtle.



GNARLUBE How To Lube Your Chain from GNARLUBE™ on Vimeo.

First off:  What is so "Gnar" about chain lube?  

Second off: As the kids say, do they even say "Gnar" anymore?

Third off:  This is just poorly done.  

Fourthly: Did they watch a cheesy 80's music video (remember them) and decide they wanted to recreate that?  I don't think they had that much irony in mind.

Fifthly: Is this supposed to be tongue in cheek because there are women talking about "Lube"?  Insert Beavis laugh here.  "He said LUBE"

Sixthly: Knowing that half the population or more that ride bicycles are female's how does this even make sense?

This campaign is simply Mind Bottling.



Yes, I said Mind Bottling.

Let's end this with an intelligent take on women's road racing by a person with a clear informed view, and someone I respect quite a bit.  Read these words from Advanced Sports Vice President of Marketing Karen Bliss.  Click HERE.

Bicycling Magazine gave Karen an even broader voice by publishing THIS INTERVIEW.

Now there is a view I can agree with.