warming legs on these cold days in the Giro

[masking_agent]

so with all the jackets, and gilets popping out for the changing weather conditions, are the soigneur's applying embrocation to the riders' legs ? or are they using some other sort of "warming balm" as I still see the riders are in their shorts and not tights.

What product or combination of product are these soigneurs of pro teams using to warm up the riders legs ?

anyone have insight to know ?

 

[Boeing]

so with all the jackets, and gilets popping out for the changing weather conditions, are the soigneur's applying embrocation to the riders' legs ? or are they using some other sort of "warming balm" as I still see the riders are in their shorts and not tights.

What product or combination of product are these soigneurs of pro teams using to warm up the riders legs ?

anyone have insight to know ?

Frankly I haven't a clue how anyone rides bare legged in those conditions. How do they get their legs to work well?

I thought about the same question. I noticed some of the teams have what look like neoprene jerseys almost wetsuit like, or not your typical jacket...

Thinking thin neoprene leg or knee warmers would work nicely

.

 

[masking_agent]

-3C at the top of a summit ? When they train in the mountains they would be in full tights. They must have some crazy embro solution ?

 

[hfer07]

I quite honestly don't find an issue with the legs- the priority is always to protect the chest, neck & hands. I personally have ridden in those kind of conditions & frankly the legs work fine since they're generating the heat due to the effort, while the rest of the body is still to the mercy of the temperatures & mostly the wind.

it all comes down to how accustomed the rider's body is trained to confront the weather...

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Agreed. It's when the fingers and toes go that I can't function. Keeping the rest of your legs warm doesn't seem to make much of a difference as they Are doing the work

 

[Master50]

wet leg warmers suck the heat out of leg muscles faster than bare legs with embrocation and petroleum jelly. For me even knee warmers when racing is too much restriction. Leg warmers and tights are fine for dry conditions but lose all their value once saturated. Most tights that might keep you dry too are too tight for racing as the fabrics don't stretch very well. Jackets and vests don't need the same flexibility so can be made warm and weather proof.

 

[hiero2]

wet leg warmers suck the heat out of leg muscles faster than bare legs with embrocation and petroleum jelly. For me even knee warmers when racing is too much restriction. Leg warmers and tights are fine for dry conditions but lose all their value once saturated. Most tights that might keep you dry too are too tight for racing as the fabrics don't stretch very well. Jackets and vests don't need the same flexibility so can be made warm and weather proof.

All good advice, and I agree, with one exception - wool leg warmers or tights. Wool retains insulating properties, even when wet.

 

[Master50]

All good advice, and I agree, with one exception - wool leg warmers or tights. Wool retains insulating properties, even when wet.

Yes a very good point but who has wool? BTW wool does retain much of the heat even when wet but it is definitely less effective. Whether petroleum jelly and embrocation work as well? I get a feeling that at some temperature one will cross over to the other. Wool does retain water so it does get heavier. 2 bidons weigh a kilo and I'd bet wool tights hold a litre.

 

[hiero2]

All probably true - I sure wouldn't race with wool tights. I still have a pair, btw. Darned more than a few times now, but still functional. Idk if anybody actually makes stuff like this any more. I think you overestimate the amount of water retention of wool, but I also don't think it is an important point to for me to fuss about that! They are heavy to begin with, and thus good for riding and all, but I as I said, I sure wouldn't consider them for racing.

From my experience, and recollection, they are superior to skin coatings in very nasty weather, but it would have to be conditions like this Giro to create a NEED for such extra protection - and then the racers aren't gonna use the wool tights anyway! So, the difference between the two is probably a moot point, if you ask me. A casual rider would want the tights, a racer wouldn't.