From nhmaf: <<I think that the cheapest solution to both your problems is to just always keep your panniers filled with 12.5 pounds of beer in each side !>>
Oh, woe! About a month ago I came down with an extremely painful malady in the big toe of my left foot. After research, I concluded (and my doc concurs) that it might have been my first-ever attack of gout! The literature recommends avoiding alcohol, but contains a particularly stern warning about avoiding beer!
Seems that beer contains a substance that is especially likely to promote the buildup of uric acid in the blood, a cause of gout).
So in the spirit of compromise, instead of heading for the fridge for a beer, I now run downstairs to a dark, temperature-controlled junk room and grab a good bottle of wine.
Another good alternative is a glass of Maker's Mark with a single ice cube (to give it flavor).
