Drinking & cycling

[meenaghman]

Well in my past I've done my fair bit of both drunk driving and drunk cycling. The drunk driving bit is cultural - it being the major participatory activity in Ireland after midnight. I don't do that any more.. but it still goes on big time in rural areas. I have been so drunk cycling that I've face planted (badly) and had the Police turn up at my home - my wife thought the worst... so these days only have a few if I'm cycling. Have to say given the amount of drunk drivers on the roads when cycling back from the pub, I take the notion that if I'm going to get hit, I might as well have some beer inside me to numb the pain. I've also done stuff like played football / Rugby / Gaelic after a few beers - especially on tours, but cycling seems quite good in comparison. When touring and reaching the top of an Alpine pass, there's nothing better than a beer at the mountain top cafe.

 

[XmisterIS]

When I was a teenager, I used to cycle into Reading with my chums and get absolutely smashed to buggery on White Lightning - then cycle back to school along the A4.

In retrospect - completely nuts! When you're 14 though, you think you're invincible ...

 

[Dave Davenport]

I'm much better at stunt riding when I'm pissed and it doesn't hurt half as much when you fall off (untill the next day anyway).

 

[wafflycat]

I'm much better at stunt riding when I'm pissed and it doesn't hurt half as much when you fall off (untill the next day anyway).

 

[theclaud]

I can ride a bike even when I can't stand up!

If you can still get on the bike the right way round, it's usually OK. Although the mysterious bike-component-shaped injuries you sometimes discover the following day do give pause for thought.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I went to sleep in a ditch once on the way home from the pub by bike.

 

[theclaud]

I went to sleep in a ditch once on the way home from the pub by bike.

A classic. The last time I fell in a ditch whilst cycling drunk, I might have stayed there for a snooze except that I was trying to make last orders. Which I did, but the landlord did seem slightly perturbed by the amount of fauna I brought to the bar in my hair.

 

[Crackle]

Was it down on the usual amount then?

 

[theclaud]

Was it down on the usual amount then?

Quite the opposite - I'd say it's the most drunk I'd ever been, in charge of a bike. In fact "in charge" is almost certainly not the right expression. Something to do with an afternoon party involving whisky sours. Before the hedge thing I had already cycled straight into the door of the police station and become covered in oil fixing an imaginary mechanical. I lost count when it comes to falling off. That episode just about meets my definition of Too Drunk To Cycle.

 

[rich p]

A classic. The last time I fell in a ditch whilst cycling drunk, I might have stayed there for a snooze except that I was trying to make last orders. Which I did, but the landlord did seem slightly perturbed by the amount of fauna I brought to the bar in my hair.

Fauna?

Foxes, voles, shrews? The hairpiece boggles!

 

[rich p]

Just thought - in your hare TC?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I've also fallen asleep on top of a grit bin, where I'd lain in order to look at the stars and the moon.

 

[theclaud]

Fauna?

Foxes, voles, shrews? The hairpiece boggles!

Insects and spiders, mainly. But I might well have failed to notice birds, rodents and suchlike if they were there...

 

[theclaud]

Just thought - in your hare TC?

 

[Crackle]

A police station door. Goodness gracious and tut.

I have never been so inebriated on a bike, often merry and I've always found it an enjoyable experience, effortless and no accidents or wobbles. The only time I've come off was the next morning with a hangover and misdjudged the bend on the way for the croissants. Sandstone walls are soft but all things are relative.