Alcohol and MTB

Hugor

Hugor

Likes Dirt
The subject of drinking has come up a fair bit in this subforum already.
I've often considered how much my drinking affects my MTB performance so I thought I'd put it out there.
The TV ads here in WA tell us not to consume more than 2 standard drinks on any day!!
Crazy advice like that just gets ignored as its just not reasonable.
As we get on probably more of our life involves alcohol whether it be dates, dinners, professional meetings, post sport and recreation.
Work commitments means that most of my riding happens on weekends, which is also when most of my drinking happens.
Recently I had a big crash and injury which followed a fairly big night the previous evening.
I wondered how much the big night affected my crash.

How many AFD's (alcohol free days) would you have per week?
Whats your favourite beverage?
Do you notice a decrease in your performance if you've been drinking the day/night before?
Do you think drinking with the boys after a hard ride affects your recovery the following day?
Anything else alcohol related?
 
Well I had a big ride planned last Sunday, but after getting on the beers from 6pm until about 2am (3 games of footy to watch!) I had to pull out. I reckon a year or two ago I wouldv'e ridden anyway. I have ridden hungover a few times before and while I rode OK, I felt really shithouse afterwards.

I tend to do all my drinking on the weekends. Maybe one beer during the week but then the weekends it can be 8-12 in one sitting...I'm a binger from way back. :eek:
 
I find there is a big decrease in performance if l drink too much the night before a ride/race. Your head is just not with it.
I am having more AFD's now that l am at home with the bub. The only time l can go riding during the week is when the wife gets home from work at 6:30pm. I leave at 7 and back home by 8:30, then its time for bed.
Or l go out riding on the weekend, Saturday there is always a club race and Sunday there is either a ride day or l spend it with the family.
l dont mind the after race Bundy, but l still need to rehydrate with some water or a sports drink first.
 
Agreed on the racing part. I'll always avoid any more than one or two beers the night before a race.
 
Went to the work Christmas party last night (don't ask) and got on it. Consequently the last thing I feel like doing today is ride (or mow the lawn, which my wife asked me to do).

I find now that with injuries being a little longer lasting than they used to be, i'd rather not take the chance. My riding is definitely worse if I drink even just a few the night before. Some of my better injuries have come from riding whilst pissed too. Sooner save it for afterwards as part of the rehydration process:rolleyes:
 
I really don't drink much in a standard week unless something special is on I might have 1 or 2 tops(please don't throw things at me...)

However by best performance at a race was the day after a big St Paddys day on the Black goodness.

First lap was horrible but the next 6 felt great....

Was in a team of 3 at an 8hr so not all that serious
I wouldn't recommend this as a training guide....
 
Cypher said:
Why is it that you feel the need to drink so many alcoholic drinks?
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Good question.
Thought i should answer my own questions too!

My main drinking nights will be Thursday to Saturday.
Monday to Wednesday are almost always alcohol free.
"Sunday sessions" are a bit of a tradition in Perth and I'll go to one of those sometimes.

Why?

Thursday is the drinks with the work crew.
If you have to work as a team its helpful to bond socially as well.
Alcohol just helps the conversation flow easier, the jokes appear funnier, the social barriers diminish.
I could drink water but would probably get bored a hell of a lot sooner!


Friday/Saturday
Social beers watching the footy stirs the banter which is half the fun.
Wine with dinner a must. Post ride beers with the crew are a highlight of the week.

Sunday afternoon is the social day of the week. There isn't a pub in Perth that isn't packed with beautiful women and buzzing activity.
The alcohol is part of the experience. It ensures you are completely destressed and ready to cope with another stressful week at work, and the 3 alcohol free days that lie ahead.:)
 
Hugor said:
I've often considered how much my drinking affects my MTB performance so I thought I'd put it out there.
Click to expand...

As the years go tumbling by so does the tolerance to alcohol prior to strenuous exercise. The good thing is that the inverse is true of mountain biking. In other words, the appetite for riding increases as that for large amounts of drinkies decreases.

I now choose to have nothing alcoholic to drink before riding because I don't enjoy my time on the bike as much. Even a couple the night before makes me feel like heaving when the heart rate bounces off the high rate alarm.

That said, I can't think of anything nicer than sprawling onto the ground and sharing a drink or two with wife and friends after an epic ride. Some times it's the only thing that keeps me going after crossing that fickle line where your body gives you the good news, logs out and shuts down.

Oh how things change....Three decades ago we’d have taken a few frosties along for the ride.
 
There's nothing like going for a 3-4hr ride and washing down with some beers.
Drink most nights,when at home.
Thinking about dry july at mom
 
I wouldn't do it...

It's just plain wrong... to be Riding Under the Influence of alcohol.

I need power and speed... and most of all... CONTROL!!! :D
 
kgunzer said:
I need power and speed... and most of all... CONTROL!!! :D
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Seeing as this is the Vets forum, I think we should add knees to that list. Yes, most of all I'd like my knees back. Oh yes, and lungs. Bugger, while I'm at it, the hair I used to have on my head and not the wiry fur sprouting from the ears....nope, don't want that.
 
kgunzer said:
I wouldn't do it...

It's just plain wrong... to be Riding Under the Influence of alcohol.

I need power and speed... and most of all... CONTROL!!! :D
Click to expand...

Hmmmm. I wasn't referring to riding under the influence.
I wouldn't do that either, well not off road anyway.
I have used my bike to get home from the pub many times. I ride carefully and never on the road at these times.
 
Recently I had a big crash and injury which followed a fairly big night the previous evening.
I wondered how much the big night affected my crash

Mate i would say it had alot to do with your performance and also your recovery dude.
 
gcouyant said:
The good thing is that the inverse is true of mountain biking. In other words, the appetite for riding increases as that for large amounts of drinkies decreases.
Click to expand...

Yes! I work full time and really my only time to ride is on the weekend - that's my only time to binge too! I have to alternate as I can't do both - and the riding is winning.

I crash enough, without adding in alcohol or hangovers! :cool:
 
How many AFD's (alcohol free days) would you have per week?
5 to 6

Whats your favourite beverage?
Vodka!

Do you notice a decrease in your performance if you've been drinking the day/night before?
I don't risk it, I fall off enough as it is.

Do you think drinking with the boys after a hard ride affects your recovery the following day?
Actually - us girls usually have a coffee after a ride! Never really thought of bringing the vodka with.
Maybe I should try this... will see what responses come up on this thread to see if it would help :eek:
 
Balance said:
Never really thought of bringing the vodka with.
Maybe I should try this... will see what responses come up on this thread to see if it would help :eek:
Click to expand...

You'll get the SMS - bring lights and favourite beverage. I have a 39L fridge in the car set reliably to a temperature that is just below the point of making fizzy drinks crunchy after you pull the tab.

For after the ride....

Bring bloody big coat too.....
 
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Balance said:
lol!
As if we will need a fridge in this weather!
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At the other end of the scale.... The end of a blood and guts ride up North in Gulf country. That's the Mitchell river in the background through the most inspiring trails on the planet - all created by Brahman cattle that from my experience create the best technical single track ever.

wrotham1.jpg


Frosty bottles of spring water with a beautifully chilled bottle of French champagne to refresh the palette.
 
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