I love embrocation for cold weather riding. Since my commute is about 40-50 minutes each way, I like to put it on my neck, shoulders, lower back, and legs for those cold morning commutes. When it's 50 or colder I typically wear wool cycling legwarmers, too. (and the associated gear, such as layers of wool in various places, depending on temps). And the wonderful smell and ritual of putting it on helps energize me in the morning as I'm stumbling around in the half-darkness, trying not to wake my wife and child so I can slip out before they wake up (don't worry, I'm the afternoon pick-up parent).

I started with Rapha's Summer and then Winter Embrocation. I just love the smell and the formulation of these! But they're expensive (US $30 for a 125mL container), and I really love the heat of the winter embro, so I decided to go with Mad Alchemy's Madness. GOOD LORD this stuff is hot! But in a good way, because I adore that warm feeling when I ride. Using embro helps me not scrunch up my shoulders from the cold. It has a clove-mint smell that is nice--just not as gloriously formulated, scent-wise, as the Rapha.

I feel like using embro, along with yoga and stretching, helps keep me flexible for cycling and for life in general. Are there others who love the burn? I don't even mind when it heats back up in the shower--although I have had colleagues comment on the redness of my neck after I get ready at work, haha.