bfloyd6969

I know I know, alcohol and riding don't mix to well - however, it is my crutch. I like to drink beer and wine as it just hits the spot after a long day at work. When I say drink, I don't mean in too much excess. I like to have one or two a day, pretty much every day. On my ride days, I may have one (a beer) a couple hours after the ride with food. So, just how bad is it to have one or two every day?

tadawdy

Depends on who you are. For men, 1-2 drinks most days of the week is considered the "safe" limit. At this point, you're getting health benefits from alcohol w/o significantly increasing your risk of other problems caused by it. Any more, and your risk of cancers and accidental death go up. For women, it's no more than one drink. Of course, this assumes a lot about body size and metabolism, but these are the population averages.

JasonC

Thinking about the 1-2 drinks comment, I've been told (by my doctor, and read online) that any more than 1 oz of alcohol per night is not good. So... 8oz of wine (assuming 12% ABV), 2.5 oz of scotch (80 proof), 1-2 beers (two if they are Miller, one if it is stronger), etc.

Although, one side-effect you may still get is from acetaldehyde, which is one of the by-products of alcohol being processed by the liver. It is what causes hangovers. You likely won't get a hangover from one drink, but acetaldehyde is a possible carcinogen... it promotes cancer. However, as this letter responding to the article where I read this points out, it is hard to escape acetaldehyde even if you abstain from alcohol...

I like good beer... so I don't mind one a night. However, even outside of biking I really don't feel comfortable drinking 7 nights a week, just from an overall health perspective. So I try to cut back around bigger training days, or days where I had already decided to have another snack, like a bowl of ice cream.

- Jason

SemperFi87

I think this is a great way to look at it. There is nothing wrong with having a drink or two most nights a week. Sure you get a bunch of empty calories from it, but in moderation, it's worth it for a lot of people, myself included. I try not to drink every night, I usually end up drinking one drink or occasionally two drinks about 4 nights a week. The part I was originally agreeing with was the part about treating it similarly to any other dietary treat or cheat snack. You normally wouldn't pile up on ice cream and then go out and get pizza if you are following any specific diet or training regiment. Alcohol should be treated the same way.

Willbrewer

I wouldn't consider the calories in beer to be totally empty. There's actually some good stuff in there (besides the alcohol ) You've got some antioxidants and B vitamins, which would both be helpful in after ride recovery. And the hops in beer have a few medicinal properties too. Plus, after a long ride you HAVE to rehydrate. But there might be some problem with that one, because beer tends to be a diuretic. I think the Dr. that wrote the following article might like to drink a beer or three every now and then.

https://www.aim-digest.com/gateway/pa...s/goodnews.htm

He closes by saying:

mercianv

drink after the ride not before

bfloyd6969

Thanks for the replies all. I am a male so I believe I may be in moderation per some Dr.'s. Plus, I never drink before a ride.

SemperFi87

This. I have had a friend or two go to the hospital because they exercised heavily after a few beers.

Pat

A glass of wine or a beer at night, really should not have a major adverse effect. It certainly is not as good as eating carrot and celery sticks. But it is probably no worse than eating a hot fudge sundae.

Also if you do it on ride days, the significant benefits of your riding if you do any significant miles probably more than cancel out the adverse effects of the alcohol.

dahoyle

I'm speaking as someone who really enjoys a good dark ale, or a good Hefeweizen. If my Doc tells me that one a day is bad for me, I'm just going to get a new Doc.

cyclezealot

After a metric century , the club does each Sunday; we deserve one, maybe even two beers. Guilt. Never given it a second thought.

Greg_R

I buy 750ml bottles of beer (can be resealed by vacuum plugs) or growlers (flip top bottle, filled at local breweries) and pour 8oz servings, one serving per session. This gives me my 'fix' for a good beer but keeps the calories low. I'm talking about a mid-week beer here... not a reward after a century.

Willbrewer

So what's your reward after a century? You've got a lot of good breweries to choose from in Portland.

decanter2020

Drink after riding

decanter2020

I think drinking is a good habit and it also keeps the mind and body active. Must not drink alcohol while driving. It can also endanger your life. Must be drunk after riding.

Climb14er

Beer has always been my recovery drink... in addition to a few years ago... 16oz of Endurox. In the summer, very hot days, I mix a beer with organic lemonade from Costco. Alcohol for me has always been done in moderation and I find it helps my body to relax and recover, after a very long day in the saddle or on the peaks. YMMV.

spelger

this seems contrary to what i would think. bottle pressure for beer is about 30 psi and using a vacuum plug to remove the air like i do for my wife's wine seems like it would pull out the in solution CO2. that is a lot of head space to bring up to 30 psi again. when you open this bottle a second time how is the brew?

-scott

CyclingBK

For me, one or 2 glasses of wine is great, even daily. But 3 or more, negative impact on my sleep and general energy the next day.

AdkMtnMonster

I was thinking the same thing as spelger regarding the vacuum top. Rookie beer error committed by a wine sipper. (just busting chops, just ribbing the dude)

Seriously, though, be kind to quality beers. Life’s too short to drink bad beer.

OldTryGuy

Just rode 70 miles this morning. One bottle with water and ice, second bottle Busch NA Beer. Also like O'Doul's and Heineken 0.0 during and after. If I want some alcohol it is in the Organic Red California wines or JW Blue Label

AdkMtnMonster

Treat yourself to some quality whisky some time. For the $185+ price of Johnnie Walker’s blended stuff you could buy a truly special bottle of single malt whisky that would blow your mind. Blended whisky is like a Huffy hybrid with nice pedals and tires riding around the neighborhood. A $200 bottle of single malt is a full carbon ride with top-end gear and an open road ahead. Never go cheap on women, whisky or toilet paper.

bruce19

I have a strange relationship with alcohol. I enjoy beer, wine and spirits, especially bourbon. And, after a ride a nice lager is awesome. However, I could buy a 6-pack and a bottle of red wine tomorrow and if you came to my house 6 months later they'd still be there intact. I don't know why. A 750 of bourbon? Not so much. I just love sitting outside on a summer day with a bourbon and a cigar and kickin' back. Having said all of that, I am currently abstaining from alcohol in hopes of losing some weight for the cycling season.

OldTryGuy

Blue is a gift from son so no $$$. Had some Macallan Fine Oak 15 Yr. Triple and it was OK but Blue tickles my tongue a bit better. Any suggestions???

AdkMtnMonster

I love single malts from Islay, so Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Caol Ila are at the top of my list. Ledaig 10 year old (from Tobermory distillery on Mull) is probably my favorite sub-hundred dollar bottle of whisky, depending in the day.

burnthesheep

I don't see harm in it, but do see a good mental balance in making is so I don't make it a daily habit.

It's nice to be able to say "nah, not today, not tomorrow, or maybe even the next day". Then also be able to say "weeknight worlds post ride beer tonight, dinner out with wife tomorrow, then a work party the next day".

To me, I don't like the "every day, without end, just in smaller or larger amounts".