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.
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@Gianni
+1 to that.
Josh did Day Two of the V-V Cogal last summer. Demerits to everyone who only did one of the two days, especially for those of us riding Day Two with a hangover.
But to Josh's credit, he did do the fucker with a beer in the bidon.
My current favorite recovery beverage - Raging Bitch IPA from Flying Dog, right here in Frederick, MD, USA.
@Roobar I've found this to be an effective Beer in the Bidon test vessel:
@frank
Thanks to Josh I have come to appreciate the Beer in the Bidon experience, although I lean more to that combination on winter base mile rides, not Cogal ass-kickings.
@PeakInTwoYears
Did you just post a cat joke?
WordPress. Someone's always hacking it.
@Nate
Is it really an ass kicking when you're only signing up for half the ride?
@BaltoSteve
I had the Raging Bitch the other night at a local fried chicken joint. Very good. Not as good as my local favorite, Fremont Brewing Interurban IPA. A close second is Two Beers EVO IPA (used to be called Evolutionary IPA). When Fremont was starting on the cans path, they were using unlabeled cans. Genius, that. You could drink anywhere without fear of judgement.
Two Beers has it sorted; they even have a "Beer to Go" section on their site.
http://www.twobeersbrewery.com/beer-to-go/
@frank not sure I follow your meaning.
I should note that I had just returned from a ride when I pulled up the article. Recovery draught: deschutes inversion IPA.
@Nate I'm saying Josh riding half a Cogal isn't really a Cogal ass kicking is a good 'un.
I decided to quit drinking alcohol on June 13, 2011; one of the better decisions I've made in my life. I wasn't an alcoholic in any classical sense but I was definitely a heavy drinker and had become alarmed by my inability to moderate. So, I quit - Well, first I got ridiculously drunk at a work function and was so embarrassed that I decided I had to quit. At first my goal was 60 days but those 60 days gave me enough perspective and distance that I quickly was able to commit to a longer time. I had begun training to run a marathon so it seemed reasonable that I would quit for the 4 months it would take to train. Suddenly I was enjoying those long Sunday morning runs without the hint of a hangover! I was losing weight and I was about to follow through on running a 3:27 first marathon at the age of 42...Not bad.
After the marathon I somehow managed not to celebrate by getting loaded and quickly decided that maybe abstinence should be something that I do forever. I could be the great father and husband and really make the next 20 years of my life a study in health and fitness. My very first ride after I bought my road bike was with a 40 year old buddy and his 60 year old father - the father kicked our asses - a classic dutch hardman. When I'm 60 my sons will be 23 and 25...how's that for a training goal? Be fit enough at 60 to school the kids on the road!
The other big change for me has been one of mental well being. When I drank, I always carried around with me the feeling that there was something not quite right about it...a dark secret if you will. It made feel bad about myself. It made me feel weak. It made me feel ashamed. unburdening myself of that baggage has been a wonderful transformation for me. I love being able to look anyone in the eye and know that they've got nothing on me - it's made me more confident in life and in my career.
I go to bed earlier these days and I'm always the guy pushing for an earlier start time on those weekend rides. And I'm going to be ready to ride with my kids at 60.