Time and again, I've spent time in the days leading up to rides with a beer in my hand. It's how its done.
However, the days of closing down a local bar, then riding, for example, the Dairyland Dare, are over. Let's just say it hurts. I tend to cramp, a lot.
Slowing down seemed to help, or so I thought. Enter 2019's riding "season:"
A 700-mile month in May, capped by a relatively moderate Thunder Ridge...hmm, only one beer the night before, and not a lager, so left half full on the table.
June brought 1071 miles and no time to drink, just ride.
July was busy, and I avoided beer in the days prior to a 96-degree Ride Across Indiana, 170 miles. No doubt, it helped.
August brought the 225-mile Ride Across Wisconsin, and it being Wisconsin, beer was consumed the day before, with @
hodgykins. Cramps showed up well before 100 miles, were unrelenting by 150, and had me outta there at 183.
So, I've avoided beer since, with 4 centuries and a 3-day riding stint in Wisconsin, 5 weeks in a row. No beer, no cramps.
Bring on the wine.