From the Cleveland Leader.
Researchers at Granada University in Spain have come across a discovery that will undoubtedly please athletes and sports enthusiasts - a pint of beer post-workout or match is better at rehydrating the human body than water.
Professor Manuel Garzon, a member of Granada's medical faculty, made the finding after tests on 25 students over several months. Researchers believe that it is the sugars, salts, and bubbles in a beer that may help people absorb fluids more quickly.
The subjects in the study were asked to run on a treadmill at temperatures of 104F (40C) until they were close to exhaustion. Once they had reached the point of giving up, researchers measured their hydration levels, motor skills, and concentration ability.
Half of the subjects were given two half pints of Spanish lager to drink, and the other half were given just water.
Garzon said that the rehydration effection in those who were given beer was "slightly better" than those who were given only water. He also believes that the carbon dioxide in beer helps quench thirst more quickly, and that beer's carbohydrates replace calories lost during physical exertion.
The average person loses around 1 liter (33oz) of water for every hour of exercise in sweat. Rehydrating after a workout is crucial, as a lack of hydration is more likely to make one feel tired, fuzzyheaded, and suffer from headaches.
Based on the results of the study, researchers recommend moderate consumption of beer as a part of athletes' diets. "Moderate consumption" for men is 500ml per day, and for women is 250ml per day.
So that explains why Babe Ruth was so good. His method of training was nearly 100 years ahead of its time.

Yesterday I rode the famed Lake Tahoe Rim trail to continue my training for the Tour of the California Alps (Deathride).
If you have never had a chance to ride or hike the Lake Tahoe Rim trail it is definitely something to add to your to do list. We opted for a loop that started with a seven mile pavement section from the old Ponderosa Ranch to a trail called Tyrolian. The Tyrolian trial which could be renamed Heart Attack for its continual steep uphill climb takes you to the Lake Tahoe Rim trail near the Mount Rose summit. The section of the Rim trail here only allows bikes on even numbered days so check your calendar if you go. Once we were tied into the Rim trail it is a fast rolling section of trail comprised of DG, boulders, steps, and breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding peaks. This section also includes the Steps (shown in the photo). One of the many exhilarating technical obstacles.
The next junction you come to gives you the option to head down to the Old Ponderosa, head down to Carson City, or continue on to Marlette Lake and keep climbing. We opted for the latter.....
The section towards Marlette starts with another climb towards Marlette peak that seems to never end. This section of the Rim trail is also home to the Xterra Incline Village race. This section boasts more technical drops and steep switchbacks and heart pounding climbing to Marlette peak (shown in photo).
The trail down Marlette peak to Marlette Lake is fast and fun. All downhill with sweeping turns, single track and jeep trail to Marlette Lake. Once at Marlette Lake you enter one of the most famous trails at Lake Tahoe the Flume Trail. This section of single track is literally perched on a cliff that runs from Marlette Lake to the top of Tunnel Creek. This section is one where you really should stop and take a second to enjoy the breath taking views of Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor and Incline Village. Be careful of the other riders as traffic goes both ways through here and there is barely room for one.
The Flume Trail ends at Tunnel Creek and the descent begins to the car on a fast jeep trail that drops for what seems like miles.
It was a great training ride for the Deathride and with the loop we chose we logged 35 miles on the mountain bikes and what a great ride it was. Loaded with challenging singletrack, steps, boulders, tough climbs, and great views.

Coby.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRnVcf5uvK0

Lisa and I went to Sonoma this last weekend for some wine and some NASCAR. The wine was good, as always, and the NASCAR was unbelievable. We had a great time. I would have never have thought that the NASCAR would have been as fun as it was, but it was the best live event of any kind that I have ever seen.

Jay

Saturday morning I went up on the mountain to a canyon that I hunted with Coby last year during his archery hunt and put up a trail camera. There is so much water everywhere right now that the deer don’t seem to be using many of the established trails that they would normally be using this time of year, so I am not very confident that I am going to get any good photos any time soon. I will leave the camera for a couple of weeks though and by dumb luck should get something.
Sunday I took my buddy Jim and his 7 year old son Griffin out to Hungry Valley so that they could watch some dog training. We planted, and Jim shot 5 pen raised chukar over Porter and Cash, and Griffin had a great time as he had never seen anything like it. He absolutely loves the dogs and had never seen them work before, so it was a great experience for him.

Jay