We are a fickle lot, the mountain bike ridin’ tribe of
society’s flotsam and jetsam. Sitting around talking
shop and gear and planning the next ride consumes us
as much as we consume the delicacies of fermented
grains while doin’ the talkin’. Whether it’s hard or
soft tail for such and such trail, and which size tire
and how much pressure, or tights versus baggies, we go at it
with as much enthusiasm as we do over deciding Pale or
India Pale, Stout or Imperial, Porter or Pils. The
post-ride “wind-down” beverage is never slighted, nor
should it be.
Get me?
Ok. Let’s do it this way: a list of home trails
ridden by yours truly, and beers that match the ride.
Fairly easy concept, right? As we all know, mountain
bikers spend as much time talking about beer as we do
about trails and bikes.
The place: Michaux, my home trails. Those in the
know are aware of the forest named for the French
botanist in southcentral PA. If you’re coming to ride
for the first time, find these beers to celebrate your
survival after riding the infamous trails of
“me-SHOW.” Keeping it local, the brews are made here
in the Keystone State.
Grave Ridge = Weyerbacher Heresy. The whiskey barrels
will help soothe the wounds after riding this super
stout spine of boulders, tombstones and shark fins.
Three Mile = Victory Hop Devil. Both will bring a
smile to your face. Enjoy.
Big Flat red trails = Troeg’s Nugget Nectar. They
squeezed the hops like the trails will squeeze your
bike-handling skills—-for all they’re worth. Be sure
to ride the reservoir as the sun goes down to
experience the hazy orange color of the ale.
Teaberry area = Legacy Hedonism. Because it is indeed
just that. Trails that fill you with pleasure go on
and on and on.
Michaux in general = as you sit by the fire aching to
all your bones, and with your tent within crawling
distance, I recommend having a Victory Old Horizontal
Barleywine in your hand. Likely, you will feel
horizontal in your alignment after riding Michaux for
the first time. It might just happen that Old
Horizontal will put everything back into place for
you, kind of like two horizontals make it straight.
There you have it, my guide of Michaux post-ride brews
to you. Happy ridin’…I mean drinkin’…I mean ridin’
and then drinkin’.
Now it’s your turn. Send in your beer guide to your
home trails so that when we are on the road, we will
know what to pick up along the way for the trail talk
after the ride. Remember to keep it local. The
mantra is “Support local economies, drink local
beers.”
PS—you can find any of said beers, and hundreds more,
at KClinger’s Tavern in Hanover (www.kclingers.com),
home to the largest and finest beer inventory this
side of the Mississippi. It also serves as a fine
spot to end a day trip if heading back south or east
from Michaux. Nope, I get no free beer for the plug.
Just sharin’ the knowledge.
(published on Dirt Rag’s website on 21 April 2007)
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