Post-Ride Recovery Ales
The most important moment in a man’s life is the first time they have a beer. I place it on the list above sex and having a child because sex usually only happens as a direct result of drinking beer. As for having children, I’m given to understand they are poop factories at first, then promptly become loud, and then obnoxious before they resent you for the next fifteen years. If my math is right, it isn’t until after about twenty-five years that you can stand them and the investment starts paying off. Given the instant gratification of beer verses the ROI on child rearing, its not even a close. But the real clincher is that men love solving problems and there is no chance of solving problems if you don’t create them first.
As Cyclists, beer also forms an important part of our training regimen; after a day of crushing our opponents and laying down enormous helpings of The V, it is critical that we give our muscles the rest and nutrients they require in order to rebuild and become ever stronger. Required nutrients include things like carbohydrates, sugars, and proteins. As it happens, beer is made of things like – wait for it – carbohydrates, sugars, and proteins. According to alcoholic nutritionists I’ve spoken to as well as some recent studies, beer taken in moderation is the ideal recovery beverage after a hard workout.
But there’s that annoying word again, “moderation” – always with the moderation, these scientists. Apparently, you can’t go and get hammered every time you ride a bike or the alcohol will have other effects like making you fat, stupid, and bloated. Alcohol slows your metabolism and lowers your impulse control, which forms a double-whammy as after you get drunk and stuff your face, your body will have a harder time burning those extra calories.
When I started getting serious about losing weight and improving my climbing (this was immediately after my first ride up Haleakala), I completely ignored the possibility of giving up on booze as I’d much rather starve myself than stop drinking. But the fact is that dieting and training only yielded limited results. When I finally accepted the notion of reducing my alcohol intake, my weight started to drop and my riding immediately improved. The most surprising side effect was how much better my sleeping patterns became which also feeds into post-ride recovery.
I’ll never give up beer completely because I’d hate to be without problems to solve, but for anyone who is struggling to lose weight, take note: diet and exercise are key elements, but you won’t get there without taking a hard look at your alcohol consumption. I’m not suggesting you stop drinking altogether; drink a beer or two after riding to help your recovery, but beyond that alcohol will get in the way of reaching your goals. Unless your goal is to drink more, in which case I remind you that your liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself.
@ChrissyOne
Sure sure – once I take one of my little blue pills, I reckon could easily lift that amount. With no hands.
@Marcus
Then you’d be one step ahead of most guys on E. >.<
@ChrissyOne
All this talk about addiction. Those damn blue collar tweakers? They’re runnin’ this here town.
@wiscot
+1 on the obsessive behavior bit.
This is potentially why I have a house full of spotless bikes but I can’t seen to manage to clean the toilet regularly.
@ChrissyOne I reckon. @marcus is more of an angel dust kind of guy.
@Nate
Well send him over here. I have a cord of wood I need split.
@ChrissyOne
he is in straylia, contact Qantus. And don’t let him bring any native fauna.
But wombats are adorable…
Yeah. I noticed I was shopping for craft beers by style first, then ABV. Bombers, preferably. 2 to 3 of these every night all winter and I’m a fat fuck who’s completely pissed off at himself. Pre-ride bomber of 9% imperial pale ale, anyone?
Friend recently posted her 2nd anniversary of being drug-free, so I posted ‘Day 1′. That’s as far as I got for another month. Then I stood on the scale. God help me. 20 lbs too many. Not drinking got a shit ton easier, had but 2 beers in 10 days, and as I said to UWT “I’m not an alcoholic…I can quit ANYTIME’. His classic reply: “And you don’t attend meetings!”
@Marcus
Hey man, I just set people off at the trail head, I don’t tell them where to go.
Personally I’m honored at the response; I love the honesty of the responses, but I am equally pleased by your bogan alcoholic self denial. I’d expect nothing less from you, you magnificent bastard.
@Marcus
So you’re saying you’re lifting a load of E with the strength of your clenched butt cheeks, or it is your fearsome bite?
@starclimber
A dear person to me whose identity will be protected used to tell me in jest, “Quitting smoking is easy; I’ve done it a dozen times.”
Also, I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit this winter as I think I already mentioned, but nothing like suddenly realizing you’ve gained weight to kick you back into gear. No stress, just get back on the program mate.
@ChrissyOne
Indeed they are.
@frank your use of bogan makes me think you are learning.
And – alcoholics go to meetings. Drunks go to parties.
@frank
You win the internet today, Frank.
@ All : Need some input on how to subtley place a logo into a film shot when asked not to? I have two items to work with. The sacred “V” kit and a little known publication we know as ” The Rules”. Shop is now open!
This 1664 Post-Ride Recovery Ale drank on July 24, 2011 would’ve been the best Ale drank on the planet at that time!
Thanks @Marcus for the above pic!
@fignons barber Grandmaster Flash rockin the Bud Light kit!
@sthilzy
Which would be the first, last and only time anyone ever said that about 1664… Nah, soft target, too easy!
grr… html strike-through didn’t work.
@sthilzy that pic tells 10,000 words
@sthilzy
That is why you don’t buy used cycling kit on ebay.
This is the best thread in the history of the internet. Beer, Primus, Wombats, Grandmaster Flash, Sheen, Porn Stars, Cuddles, and Dogs. That carpet really ties the room together.
Primus in your head (not with earbuds) is good for tempo.
I am definitely not good at doing things just a bit. Why bother? I don’t like dabbling and I don’t like dabblers.
I’ve played sports daily since I was around seven years old. Cycling is now that sport and I’m grateful. It’s great motivation to stay busy so I can fit a ride in each day. It’s also great motivation to enjoy good food & good drink, but not too much.
I have a few hobbies/pastimes that I’m rather passionate about, but if you asked me to list things I like to do or am good at, I’d struggle to come up with some answers. I just do them. I’m not the type who sits around thinking, “What is something new I’d like to try…”
I just bought some used shorts at the thrift store (and they were from Performance, no less!) and got busy pedaling…
@fignons barber
Is Mr Bud Light kneeling on Frank’s Dad’s jacket?
@marko
Even a bit of cycling too…….
@wiscot
Oh man! Good memory! I had almost forgotten about that jacket!
@marko
Who has carpet anymore, besides most of the hipster service workers in Portland?
Flying with your bike this summer – excellent.
Want to know which airline will take care of your steed – how should I know?
Want to know which airline will serve you free beer – glad you asked:
http://maphappy.org/2012/07/wine-the-ultimate-list-of-airlines-that-serve-free-alcohol/
@Ron
You remember the picture: a young Frank, sitting with his Dad in a dark club beside a massive platter of coke.
@wiscot
One last image to add to my own nonsense.
@frank
Bless you for posting that again! Awesome pic!
Rugs tie rooms together, not carpets!
David
@davidlhill
Yeah, well, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.
Reason #53 I am not at racing weight:
Stoneburner Restaurant, Ballard, Seattle
Omce people stop opening delicious restaurants every few months, I’ll be able to go back to starving at home and can drop the last 3kg.
Bunch of amateurs. You don’t have a serious problem until you’re brewing your own and have 60+ bottles on hand.
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@andrew
[while mixing a white Russian] hey, cool it…..
@mcsqueak
Nah the problem is when you brew your own and then you DON’T have sixty bottles on hand….
I find drinking shedloads whilst doing’ routine’ training makes it much easier to drop 2-3kg easily by cutting down on the ale for the last 2 weeks before a race. Then again, I don’t race too often…
Random thoughts on beer:
There is an enzyme in alcohol which your liver loves. Prefers it to all other basic sugars and processes it first, sending the rest (ie all other sugars – which is how carbs metabolise) to storage as fat. This is part of why alcohol is hard on your liver and part of why drinking helps you get/stay fat. Or something. I’m not a scientist.
Beer: one is too much and a thousand isn’t enough.
@andrew: Fucking Nihilists, pissed on my rug.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsC06rOYeDg
Had a rather nice Chimay as a post ride relaxant the other day and I’d forgotten how delish that is.
That’s this debate sorted then.
http://cyclocosm.tumblr.com/post/81887723182/no-bottle-opener-no-problem