[rodary]

Former elite cyclist, Russian.

Can confirm, drinking in cycling circles at elite level is normal. Heavy drinking that is, even before races. Doesn't seem to have any effect on performance the next day.

Then again, we're talking 20-25 yo males with 10-15 years of endurance training.

[4gotunameagain]

well, it kinda seems that drinking in any circle in Russia is more normal than other countries. Maybe it doesn't seem to have an effect because the others are drunk too every time ?

Ι wonder what would the effect be if someone got drunk just once before a race.

[rodary]

> Ι wonder what would the effect be if someone got drunk just once before a race.

Not sure, depends on a person I guess. My first time was ok.

Mind you, it's not like we were drinking all the time, more like occasionally, usually between big blocks of training or racing and never before anything important.

The off-season though, that was wild. It had to be for sanity's sake.