With all of this talk about mountain biking and sports nutrition, I started to get a little thirsty. Now, I’m not sure about you and your groups of riders that you hang out with, but all I know is that the group’s I ride with are either extremely dehydrated after an epic ride or they just like to drink beer. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all about tossing back a cold one here and again, but after I just beat myself to a bloody pulp on the trails, do I think it’s such a good idea to suck down a couple of coldeeze?

Yes Please!!

I’m not sure what the correlation between mountain biking and beer is, but I like. I like it a lot. Remember in the movie “Old School” starring Will Farrell, the part when he’s sitting under the beer bong at the frat party and he says, “It just tastes so good when it first hits your lips.”  He is sooo right.  That first sip of beer after an epic ride is like the cold nectar’s of the gods. Even if it has been sitting in your truck for the last couple of hours under the sun, it still tastes like a small slice of heaven in a bottle. Cold or not, drinking a beer after an extremely grueling ride has become one of my favorite past times.  Unfortunately, the more I ride the more I drink it. It’s like an endless cycle. (no pun intended)

There’s no doubt that many great accomplishments such as a long trail ride should be rewarded with some bottle clinking, but is there more to it? Is it more than the mere comradery of the ride or the fact that it just taste’s so damn good? Do our bodies actually crave it? I know mine does. Sure, a nice drink of water after a ride is a great idea, but most of the time I just bypass the water and go straight for the Belgium White, or the Pale Ale. What is it about beer that just makes you want to drink it?

One thing’s for sure, beer is is more than 90% water, and since we’re about 80% water, give or take a percent or two, we can be very well drawn to each other by the laws of attraction. Haven’t you heard the saying “like attracts like” or “Birds of a feather flock together”?  Anyway, being that beer is mostly water, that means it contains a lot of minerals that we often miss out due to bottled and filtered water. Beer is certainly no replacement for water, but it is full of much needed nutrients and minerals after a hard physical activity such as mountain biking.

Some claim that drinking beer is also good for the heart. Certain studies show that drinking beer in moderation can reduce your cholesterol levels and increase the level of antioxidants in your body. So dump the wine and instead go out and crush yourself on a bike ride and drink a moderate beer or two. Your heart will thank you. I know that I always feel the love after knocking a few delicious beers back after a ride.

Another reason for mountain bikers to enjoy a nice beer after a workout is that beer does not contain fat. That’s right. No fat. What about my beer belly then? Well hopefully you ride enough so that your beer belly is almost gone. But, beer bellies are not caused by beer. Well directly anyways. Beer belly’s are caused from the alcohol in the beer, but since beer is really low in alcohol you have to drink a lot of beer to get a beer belly. The alcohol in the beer is a diuretic, which dehydrates you, which in turn reduces or slows down your metabolism. I think that’s how it works. Again, I’m no expert, it’s just what I’ve been told.

The theory of carb loading is also valid in this scenario. Consuming carbs within 15 minutes of a grueling workout is crucial to the recovery process of your muscles. Eating or drinking a high carb snack after a workout can make all the difference in refueling your body. The longer you wait the less of a benefit you get. So drink up.

I don’t want to sound like beer is the cure all for a tired and blown out body after an intense workout, but it sure does taste good, has some real health benefits and really brings a social aspect to the joy of riding.  Of course always remember that all things are good in moderation, and consult a physician prior to any extensive workouts.

So whether you’re out riding for a long time and have climbed to your hearts content, or are just tooling around in the back woods in your neighborhood, remember to always keep a beer handy for after your ride, it’s good for you. But why would you listen to me? I’m not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.

Next time we’ll discuss the different types of beers that cater to our little world.

Here’s to your health. Cheers.

T.Stone