Beer and cycling



Originally posted by tomUK
Do you have any suggestions to overcome this issue?
This requires a very long post......
It is very heartening to see you taking this issue so seriously, Tom, and the questions you ask are at the very epicentre of practical and healthy cycling. There is no universal answer as there are so many different situations that we may find ourselves in. In order to make sense of the question of how to imbibe nutrients "during" a ride, it may be useful for us to break the solutions into 2 sections - On the bike and Off the bike:
On the bike - Very difficult, as you have pointed out.
(1) In terms of beer, lagers are probably the supplement of choice as the head tends to die off fairly quickly. One solution to the bubble dilema is to carry a wad of lard or goat fat in the side of your mouth - when you crack the can or bottle, stick your lard-coated tongue in and around the opening as quickly as you can. I usually carry 3 cans, each in a stubbie holder (or a rolled-up sock), in my jersey. The bottle-holders that bikes are festooned with these days were originally developed for carrying long-necks, but namby-pamby marketing has changed the shape of the plastic replica's along the way and a good 375ml stubby, long-neck or can, no longer fits securely. A bit of tool-time down in the shed can fix this problem and enhance the value of your bike.
(2) Switch to wine. Wine casks, as we call them (plastic foil-coated bag of wine inside a cardboard box), were originally developed for cycling and are the pre-cursor to the Camel-back. Red wine is the one to go for as it has the same effects as EPO, but is socially acceptable.
(3) For the longer training rides, I usually carry an 18 Gallon Keg on my back (good weighted training and gets lighter towards the end of the ride). I spike it just before I roll off down the road and have 4 or 5 outlets on coil-bound hose coming off it. As this is more than sufficient for my own needs, I often gather quite a pack around me. These rides tend to turn into very social events.
(4) When racing, my manager drives near me towing a Mini-Tanker (rescued from New Zealand after the totalitarian Government banned them). I just drop back for a top-up whenever I feel my reserves are dropping.
Off the bike - plenty of scope and no wet spots.
(1) It's easy - plan your ride. Mark out all the refuelling stops along the way. If mountainbiking, do fuel drops up in front. On the road, check out all the pubs along the route. Pay particular attention to the Al Fresco outlets. In Europe, many kiosks sell cold cans and, to minimise your stop, you can pre-pay the vendors so they have the beer ready to pass to you. Make these pick-up points like a Spot Sprint or King of the Mountains and you will find new vigour in your riding.

Eoin (Wow, my mega-malt levels have never been so high. This really is good Ale) C
 
Originally posted by tomUK
Do you have any suggestions to overcome this issue?
Assuming I am able to attach the image to which I refer, an ideal solution is in the offing. This is the new Butanese Team Trials bike undergoing recent testing (all very hush-hush so don't go letting on that you know about it). It is believed that they have encountered a few problems with aerodynamics and the local constabulary, but it certainly looks like the way of the future.
Just like disc wheels and viagra, it may be a few years before we start seeing these in our LBS's, but there's nothing really stopping one from whacking together a similar edifice down in the shed.
Eoin (Anyone up for a 100 Pint TT?) C
 
Quiet a machine. Let's hope Mr Armstrong doesn't find out about it before the tdf.

I *think* one maybe catching on to all the ideology behind being well hydrated. The phrase 'being dropped' so it now appears is not actually a shameful disgrace. Although, I must add there still appears to be such issues not so easily overcome. After gulping down plenty of the ale the bike steering seems to suffer any mishaps. Is this a form of envy being portrayed by the bike? Like jealousy being ousted by giving the rider poor control?

This can actually be a *VERY* dangerous occurrence. Once on our way home from a watering hole while on a cycling track a friend of mine suffered a nasty encounter - he was riding happily - mashing away at the pedals when the bike began to fight fiercely. Result - he ended up becoming intimate with a English bran bury bush. Needless to say his injuries were horrific, to run a parallel, the guy looked like he'd been ferociously attacked by a 2 week old kitten.

You learn from experience. When he rides these days after pints he remembers that day and knows at any time his own bike maybe read to attack.

I hope this story serves well to all you newbies out there. Remember when drinking and riding your bike is out to get you.
 
Hey, everyone, it's coming up to Friday Night (you Kiwi's are already there). Nearly time to drag out the Butanese Team Time-Trial Bike and get some training in! My body is craving those Health Supplements - mmmm, nice and cold!
I hope you all make a big effort to increase your Mega-malt levels tonight. Remember, the traffic lights are wrong - Amber means "Go".
Eoin (Well, if you reckon it'll help the hops farmers, I'll have one more) C
 
Originally posted by deanabol
enjoy your supplements EoinC, powerade is my hydrato.r
"Powerade"? Sorry, don't know it. Is that a pilsner?

Eoin (the only bad beer is the one that gets away) C
 
Originally posted by EoinC
"Powerade"? Sorry, don't know it. Is that a pilsner?

No, no, no - I heard that it is some sort of new wine thats being made. Weird marketing ploy - you got your reds & whites, but then there is supposedly some green & oranges offered. Not that I am a wine connoisseur myself - could never figure out that sipping thing - if its good - drink it.

Alcohol Abuse is
A) spilling your drink
B) not finishing your drink or
C) All of the above
 
Originally posted by SLS
Not that I am a wine connoisseur myself - could never figure out that sipping thing - if its good - drink it.
Absolutely - It reminds me of the story of a Wine Buff who took a woman to a restaurant, wanting to impress her with his vino knowledge....
WB - "Waiter - Bring me a '63 Lexia from the Grumphen Vineyard."
Waiter - "Certainly, Sir" - Trots off and comes back with the bottle. Pours WB a mouthful and waits for the acceptance.
WB - "Good Lord, Man, I asked for a '63 and that's a '62. Dontcha know that was the big frost? Take it away."
Waiter - "I'm sorry, Sir, you are correct." Takes bottle away and returns with a '63.
Later in the meal....
WB - "Waiter - Bring me a '72 Savignon Blanc from the Jacques Petrousse Winery."
Waiter - "Certainly, Sir" - Trots off and comes back with the bottle. Pours WB a mouthful and waits for the acceptance.
WB - "Good God, Man, that's from the Clement Petrousse Winery. Dontcha know that their vines only got some body in'74? Take it away."
Waiter - "I'm sorry, Sir, you are correct." Takes bottle away and returns with a Jacques Petrousse.
At the end of the meal, the Waiter comes up to the couple with a glass of White.
Waiter - "Excuse me, Sir, throughout the course of the evening, I couldn't help but be impressed with the extent of your knowledge of wines."
WB - "Well, my good Man, that sort of thing comes with experience, dontcha know."
Waiter - "Well, Sir, the other staff were wondering whether Sir would be able to place the origins of this drink?" Passes the glass to WB.
WB - Takes a mouthful and, choking, promptly blows it out through his nose. "Great Scott, Man, that tastes like ****!"
Waiter - "Right again, Sir, now how old am I?"

Eoin (real Powerade comes in Jugs) C
 
Hard to believe - no sooner have we gotten over Friday night than Saturday night comes along. You've just got to love that! When it comes to Malt-based training regimens, this is definitely the healthy end of the week.
Eoin (2 Heads are better than 1. Make it 2 pints, thanks, Mate) C
 
Hey guys, I'm new here but I do know a thing or two 'bout
beer. I consume it on a regular basis. As a matter of fact
I drink 2 of 'em whilst working out on my home gym. I work
out with 220lbs on the bench press-do curls and other stuff.
If it hurts I have another beer. During a 5K foot race against
other folks in my family (after having imbibed freely the night before) I kicked ass. It was I who was supposed to come in
last. You have to judge what your own body can handle. And
if it hurts-have another.
 
Alcohol is really bad for your body. When cycling on a professional level I wouldn't drink alcohol at all. It has been proven to "dissolve" muscles. Also I once got really drunk and in the afternoon I had to go on a 4 hours training. Well... While I was resting I had a heartrate of 120... That's not quite sane.
 
You're right. Strictly speaking alcohol isn't good for any athlete. Having said that, I've never actually noticed any ill effects from alcohol consumption and feel I get away with the odd can of lager. I think the real damage is done by systematic partying and binging, late nights and junk food. Anyone who simply enjoys the odd can of lager but doesn't neglect sensible training and health-care should be O.K.
Train hard and reap the benefits a healthy lifestyle brings with it but the odd drink won't do any damage so long as you don't abuse your body with excessive consumption.



Originally posted by Routier
Alcohol is really bad for your body. When cycling on a professional level I wouldn't drink alcohol at all. It has been proven to "dissolve" muscles. Also I once got really drunk and in the afternoon I had to go on a 4 hours training. Well... While I was resting I had a heartrate of 120... That's not quite sane.
 
Just re-reading the messages here - Eoin C you must Have some Irish blood in you (your name and your advocacy of alcohol based
training !)

Alcohol isn't a basis for anyone doing some serious training.
OK for the social cyclist to have a beer or two but for those of us
who consider ourselves to be training for this sport, I wouldn't
recommend it.
Having thought at one stage that I could go out drinking at the weekend and still race competitively, i found that eventually it really did start to prevent me from riding well.

Have cut back since then and have noticed that my cycling, weight and fitness have all really improved.
 
Originally posted by limerickman
Having thought at one stage that I could go out drinking at the weekend and still race competitively, i found that eventually it really did start to prevent me from riding well.

Have cut back since then and have noticed that my cycling, weight and fitness have all really improved.
Having thought at one stage that I could go out riding at the weekend and still drink competitively, I found that, eventually, it really did start to prevent me from drinking well.

Have cut back since then and really noticed that my drinking, obesity and sense of humour have all really improved.

Eoin C (Scottish Gaelic Kiwi)
 
I confess I'm dosing myself with red wine at this very moment before I go to work. Red wine is actually very good for the heart and the reason cancer statistics are far lower in countries like Greece and Italy is down to the red wine. I tend to have a couple of glasses when I feel like it and prefer wine to beer.


Originally posted by EoinC
Having thought at one stage that I could go out riding at the weekend and still drink competitively, I found that, eventually, it really did start to prevent me from drinking well.

Have cut back since then and really noticed that my drinking, obesity and sense of humour have all really improved.

Eoin C (Scottish Gaelic Kiwi)
 
As an after-thought, you know what they say in northern Spain?:

"Ni fumo, ni bebo, ni jodo."

Translated it means:

"I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't screw."

The first definitely applies to me (I don't smoke) but my ability to resist gorgeous women is kind of limited.

Originally posted by Carrera
I confess I'm dosing myself with red wine at this very moment before I go to work. Red wine is actually very good for the heart and the reason cancer statistics are far lower in countries like Greece and Italy is down to the red wine. I tend to have a couple of glasses when I feel like it and prefer wine to beer.
 
Originally posted by Carrera
I confess I'm dosing myself with red wine at this very moment before I go to work.

Red Wine before work?! Now there's an idea!

Seriously, if I did such a thing I'd be slumped over my desk asleep by 10:00am!