The Equilibrium of Beer and Bicycles

Finally figured out what the pockets on the back of my Ibex Indie Jersey are for.

Some days on the road are magical. The road seems to constantly curve downwards towards the horizon where the sun be shinin.’ Other days, you push up one false summit after another was the wind slaps you in the face so hard you have to reapply lip balm every ten minutes.

Despite these differences, however, each day shares one commonality; the desire for a cold beer.

The Playground Tour is a petroleum-free (despite a lift here and there) trip to fourteen National Parks, but it cannot be considered “fuel-less,” for I run on beer. One of the beautiful things about touring the western frontier is the abundance of local fuel. So much so, that I limit myself to only the consumption of beer from the state I’m currently in. Thus far, the beer has been great, but that’s not without saying it’s not always easy to bypass the Deschutes Green Lakes, or Bridgeport IPA.

Mid-day stop at Oskar Blues Brewery. Lyons, Colorado.

So, with all the hoopla about mileage these days, you might ask what my MPB (miles per beer) is. Well, that’s where the days terrain and elements come into play. Often times after a clear day of downhill, all it takes is one relaxing beer in cahoots with the days natural high to put me where I need to be. Other days when my toes feel like pins and needles and the wind has made me its bitch, I need to knock back a few more to become my own man again.

Wrappin' up a hard days ride.

There’s an equilibrium to be achieved between beer and bicycles. One’s soul must receive the same lubrication as their bicycle chain in order for all components to function efficiently. So without further adieu, I’m off to the gas station to pick up a six-pack.

Cheers.