Saturday, February 2, 2008

Belgium Knee Warmers Defined

This text below is taken from the BKW blog. Every now and then I read this definition for inspiration:

For many professional cyclists the Spring campaign is the toughest of the season; it means training from October until March in the worst, character-building weather conditions Europe can dish out. This weather and the suffering that is bicycle racing breed characters known as "hardmen".

Select cyclists tackle these conditions in shorts, long sleeve jerseys or short sleeve jerseys with arm warmers, wind vests, and shoe covers. A true hardman opts to forego the knee or leg warmers and instead chooses an embrocation to cover the knees. The liniment provides warmth for the legs and keeps the blood circulating and muscles supple. Embrocation and the sheen created is affectionately known as "Belgium knee warmers". The hardest of cyclists will sport bare legs in the most ruthless of conditions.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hell Man, just don't wear a jersey either.

The other thing that quote fails to mention is that you end up smelling like you fell asleep in a vat of Halls.

Still, I must call it out as impressive.

Now go try it in Minnesota, where I have heard the nasty stories from our former compatriot Mr. Tim Lewis on what happens to the body when riding in the wind and temps in the teens.

Manley Man said...

Buyer beware...this stuff doesn't come off easily, and when it does, it gets transferred to your hands. After scrubbing the mud off my face from the WS RR, I soon felt a warming sensation on my cheeks. Damn, this stuff is warming my face up! It took about 15 minutes for it to cool off.