Lou received this email the other day:
“Anyone interested in a long, steady, ride starting early on Saturday morning and going until noon+/-?
I’m ready to start my Gorham-Fryeburg-over Hurricane-Jackson-then return ride. I intend this ride to be steady…only stopping to replace fluids, with maybe a short snack break in Jackson.”
Stopping only to “replace fluids”? What’s that supposed to mean? We are not machines. We are human beings. During a long bicycle ride, the cyclist thirsts not only for fluids, but possibly for a bottled morale booster. While on a dusky buzz around the town, who doesn’t enjoy the added lift of a cold beverage?
I’m speaking, specifically, of beer.
Never one to miss an opportunity, the bicycle industry appears happy to oblige. Perhaps they have been reading hard-drinking blogs like Drunk Cyclist and How to Avoid the Bummer Life. Or, more likely, they are trying to entice that niche of cyclists who aren’t obsessed over ounces and just want to have a good time on a bicycle.
Either way, you can now find bottle openers under seats and on drop-outs. Baskets and racks are no longer measured by cubic inches, but by how many six-packs you can carry. When you get an Xtracycle involved, things can really get out of hand.
For those of us who ride in the winter, there is an endless range of thermal cups and vacuum bottles for your coffee. And a flask holder if you like it with a little something extra.
Listen. I don’t want to imply that you should be reckless on your bike. In my opinion, a bicycle pub-crawl is a good way to hurt someone. But the law still allows you to take a break with the beverage of your choice. Enjoy the privilege while it lasts.
P.S. I once saw a bicycle reflector with a bottle opener built in. The back face was inscribed with the phrase, “Open. Pause. Reflect.” Now I can’t find it anywhere. Anybody know about this?
