Exit Sunscreen, Enter Embrocation

Seems like riding in ninety-degree heat was just yesterday. Seems like riding in the early morning, sun coming up over the treetops, was heaven. Now, it's drag my bum home to catch a few hours of daylight in the moderate temps of the afternoon. No Epic Ride with epic scenery; rather, the monotonous shoulder of Highway 80.

Today the weathermen predicted only a slight chance of rain, so in spite of doing a swim workout earlier I knew I had to get in a bike ride, no matter how short. It was hard getting out of the house because, paradoxically, there were so many bicycle-related "goodies" that came in the mail and via UPS to tempt me to stay in: two bicycle magazines and a Tour de France DVD; also more chamois creme, and--how timely--my first tube of embrocation.

I've read about these creams and salves and other skin elixirs used by the pros. They are supposed to warm up the muscles, etc., on brisk days on the bike. There are so many days when leg warmers are just too much, but bare-legged is not enough. So, even though I had no idea if they really worked or not I was willing to give it a go.

Unscrewed the cap, tore off the foil sealant, and sniffed. Hmmm. Kinda smelled like my favorite skin cream but with a kick of bitterness I couldn't place. Well, at least it wasn't patchouli oil. I squeezed some out and applied it to my legs and even to my arms for good measure. I did not feel a rush of warmth like Icy Hot or some such, but I guessed I felt...something. Anyway, when I got on the bike, going down Lee's Hill, nothing would have kept the chill away, but that was just for a minute. Out on the road I felt fine--bored, but fine. I really motored, cruising at 22 mph, which clearly indicated the presence of a tail wind. I knew it would end at Crow but I enjoyed it while I could. Heading back into the wind, even as I groaned inside, I told myself "This is making me stronger. This is making me stronger." The carrot was making it to the next turnaround so I could enjoy a sweet six back to Crow. The last turn into the wind was tougher, but I made it. I passed the hour point here and was pleased to see that, even with my warm-up, my average speed was near 17 mph--abysmally slow by King William's standards, but not bad by mine. ;-)

Made it back home by 5 p.m. Time to dive into the bike mags. Much as I'll try to make them last, I'll probably have them read cover-to-cover in 10 days. (By the end of the month I'll be reading the classified ads.)