within

I stopped drinking about a week ago. I probbably drank on average 3-4 beers per night! Obviously, it's a good thing, but it will be interesting to see the effects on my training and race performance through next season. Just wondering if anyone else has done the same? Could you notice a difference right away or much later or not at all?

Lithuania

hmmm i should probably start drinking to have something to blame my abilities on.

steaktaco

It doesn't hurt to have a drink a few times a week. Just make sure you hydrate 1-to-1. Also, try not to drink a couple of days before a target race.

runtimmyc

The biggest problem with drinking is when it interferes with training (aka having a hang-over and taking an easy day on the bike). I usually have a beer a couple days before a race.

within

Didn't mean to imply that, but now that you mention it...

FatguyRacer

Switch to red wine. The good stuff, not that girly crap like Arbor Mist or the cheap stuff like Boones Farm. A glass a day does a body good.

within

You're not helping. Kidding, kidding. I actually tried it, but one glass led to another, etc...Seriously, never thought I had a "problem" but, with a 6 in the fridge or a bottle of wine sitting there it was hard to resist just one more. Anyway, it's just easier not having it in the house. Same with chocolate and chips for some reason.

As mentioned earlier, I am left w/o any more excuses.

skinnyone

Alcohol messes us my athletic performance..

waterrockets 

I don't drink other than a nice red wine with a good steak (a couple glasses a year). No other alcohol tastes good tome. Coke and Oreos for me!

I guess I don't have a before/after story...

Voodoo76

For my overall future health Im much more concerned about my Diet Coke habit than my Beer habit. There are things in there that nobody has a clue about the impact of 30 to 40 year exposure.

Have quit twice this year.

UmneyDurak

Got hooked on Jack and Coke in Europe, but it's just not the same here. So I stopped.

FatguyRacer

Actually, I was serious.

There are reputable schools of thought that say having a glass or 2 of red wine a day is good for you. It's not a magic pill, but it's not nearly as harmful or bloating as 3-4 beers. Personally, I save the wine for recovery weeks and nights before off days. I drink alot cranberry juice. Works just as well.

cmh

I cut back on drinking from 2-3 beers a night, to 3-4 beers a week. After a few months I didn't notice any performance gain, but I was probably healthier for it. I think you may notice a performance gain if the reduced drinking leads to weight loss (and you could use to lose the weight). I am back closer to 2-3 a night at the moment, but I take 'nights off' with no alchohol a couple days a week.

ri_us

Almost any change is has some good aspects and some bad. But for you, stopping drinking is more good than bad. It will surely impact your training positively but it will take time. You will probably see your climbing improve first, then your tempo, etc. But you will need to fill the carb hole that the lack of beer is leaving. And whatever you were drinking to avoid will become more visible and painful in a few weeks, when your brain detoxifies (yes, it does take that long). Get help with that - and I don't mean at your LBS.

San Rensho 

Well, maybe alcohol does improve performance. Before blood doping and EPO, the dope of choice was stimulants and alcohol. When Simpson died on the tour in the 1960, he had amphetamines and cognac in his system.

The amphetamine speeded up the metabolism and the alcohol was for the pain or maybe to suppress the jitters from the amphetamine.

DocRay

+1, 1-2 glasses, only.

Avoid the stuff in a box or anything with 'fortified' on the label.

Stopping drinking will have two immediate effects: hydration will be better, and you will lose weight.

Forget what old guys did with drinking and cycling, they also smoked before heading into the mountains to 'warm the lungs'.

labrat_62

I have a beer or 2 a night, but also hydrate well. i have tried the not drinking for a week or so, and notice no difference other than i miss having a drink. personally, i am not going pro as a cyclist, i will deal with the effect a beer or two has on me.

within

I agree with you. My writing skills suck at conveying what I mean...Antioxidant slant perhaps.

All- I should mention after just a week or so, I have noticed I'm better rested when I wake up and have more energy mid to late afternoon. I don't expect to see a wild increase in performance, but at my age limiting loss is about as important. Also, I just decided to spend the money we save on booze and work with a coach. He charges our team members less than $100/month and I think being held accountable, so-to-speak, will make drinking easier to let go for good. Maybe in a year or two I'll try moderation, but for now, total abstinence is the way to go for me.

asmallsol

I typically don't drink heavy much anymore as when I do, I feel it for several days. After a long night of drinking, I feel horrible all the next day, and the day after, I will feel fine until I jump on the bike, and my legs just feel week. Thats not to say I don't enjoy drinking, just I have changed from my freshman college days. However, I LOVE a good Porter, stout, Doppelbock, or some seasonal ales (New Holland's Ichibod Pumpkin ale is amazing)