DRAFT Magazine

Celebrating 3,000 bike miles at Romans Pub

Five years ago, Jeff Bedel ditched his car, picked up his bike after a 12-year hiatus, and started setting goals to ride longer each year.

First 1,000 miles. Then 2,500 miles. Then 3,000 miles.

This year he reached his goal 34 days ahead of schedule, despite a crash that left him with bruised ribs and lungs.

“July was a tough month,” he said, “but I still squeaked out three or four hundred miles.”

How did he get the mileage in? Must have been all those beer runs on the bike.

“I’ve biked a many miles to and from bars,” he says, “and carried several 6-packs from Blatz Liquor on my way home from work or bike trips.”

What are your beer runner credentials?

I was first introduced to craft beer back in college. It’s the longest relationship I’ve ever had. I used to collect all the bottles of the different beer I’d ever tried, but after moving so often it got be a hassle. I’m a huge craft beer and cycling advocate so I’m always ranting about how people should stop drinking macro beer and find a more efficient and healthy way to commute around the city. Milwaukee and Wisconsin are very bike friendly, especially compared to Indianapolis where I moved from. So doing more miles has been easier/safer commuting to work, running errands, Bomber Burgers, beer, and getting across town or the next county over (or two).

Tell me about your 3,000 mile biking goal. How and why did you set that?

After completing a mini-marathon 5 years ago, I wanted a new challenge. I did a 1,000 miles my first year and have gradually increased that goal every year. In 2006 I was unemployed and did over 2,500 and set the goal for 3,000 miles the past two years, but failed miserably. This year I trained inside over the winter which made it easier to do longer rides out of the gate.  Also that large of a number can be overwhelming so I set out to do a 1,000 by June 1.  Once I accomplished that I broke the last 2,000 into “goal days” to reach by Nov 1. From there it was pretty easy.

What was the biggest challenge to achieving your goal?

Being a Beer Runner can leave you sloth like and incapacitated (hungover) for a long ride the next morning.  Meeting lots of people on Twitter hasn’t helped either. I’m very destination oriented, and I pretty much (even though I’m fairly new to Wisconsin) ran out of new places to check out within a 50 mile radius of Milwaukee. A bike crash back in late June while doing a ride up in the Michigan U.P. was also the first time I was ever injured significantly.

What did you do to celebrate mile 3,000?

Like a good Beer Runner should; biking to his favorite craft beer bar! I set a Tweetup to do the 3,000th mile at Romans’ Pub in Bay View. I celebrated first with a Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA.  Had several beers thereafter.  Many couldn’t make it since it was a Wednesday night, but I was going on vacation the next day. I’ll still accept late celebratory beers.

What’s your next biking goal?

Naturally I want to think about 4,000 miles (I’m currently at 3,200 already this year) for next year, but more importantly I want to drive (via Zipcar) to new places and see a bit more of the region/country and maybe even bike into Canada. Ironically when people asked me why I got rid of my car 5 years ago my answer was to “travel more”.  I’ve achieved that and want to do more.  I’m really inspired to by @follownathan on Twitter who did a coast to coast ride this past summer. Now there is a fun challenge/goal!

Ever think about creating a similar goal, but for beer consumption?

Yes, less actually.

Anything else to add?

I’m very knowledgeable and passionate about craft beer, so someone listening out there should get me a job in the industry.

Sarah and Samson

For Sarah Huska it can.

Sometimes she’ll down a beer a half hour or so before heading out for a run.

“The alcohol helps my muscles relax,” she says. “And the carbs give me an energy boost.”

So next time you’re lacking motivation to lace up your running shoes on, take her advice.

“Try it sometime,” she said. “Just be careful of the ABV!”

Huska, who lives in suburban Chicago, shares her love of running, craft beer and dogs with the Beer Runner.

Beer Runner: You went to the Great American Beer Festival this year — what were the highlights for you?

Sarah Huska: The whole thing! This was my first trip to GABF and I was blown away. GABF is so much more than trying 2,000 beers in three days. I met so many people, made so many friends, learned so much and drank so much amazing beer that I’m still in awe. The whole thing is still sinking in. I think my favorite part of the weekend was hanging out at Falling Rock on Saturday until about 2 am. I was star struck. I met Greg Koch, Garrett Oliver, Ray Daniels, Carol Stoudt, Dave McLean, Sean Paxton, and others thanks to Shaun and Nico from the 21st Amendment.  In what other industry will people of their status sit and talk to a regular Jill Schmo like me? Love it!

BR: So if running is religion for you, what is church?

SH: The road, the trail, the ground beneath my feet. Running is when I reflect on life and and the road is where it happens. I went for a run a couple weeks ago that was truly inspiring. The smells, the sunset, the breeze, it all came together and seemed like it was there for my evening run.  I felt blessed to have the opportunity to experience this while my feet went “psshht, psshht, psshht” beneath me. It’s all very cheesy. I’ll stop making you want to gag now.

BR: Do you think your love of good food and beer is related to your love of running?

SH: Absolutely. As a runner, you monitor what you put into your body. My love of food came from the determination to make healthy food taste good, so that I wasn’t stuck eating plain rice and beans day in and day out. This determination later developed into passion for good food and great beer. People often say my love of running and love of food and beer are contradictory, but I thoroughly disagree. If you appreciate quality of life, you should appreciate the quality in craft beer and real food.

Sporting the 21st Ammendment Brewery GABF medal

BR: I saw that you read Brewing Up A Business. Any favorite parts of the book?

SH: It’s what got me thinking about getting into the craft beer world professionally. I really enjoyed Sam’s writing style and his honesty. He says it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do, but also the best. Sam makes your dreams seem more obtainable and shows you a path that will give you the tools for success.

BR: Can you tell us what you’re planning for a craft brewery bar in Chicago?

SH: The bar will bring a sense of comfort, camaraderie and closeness to the South Loop. The bar will not be just a local tavern, but a place of passion and character; something necessary in both business and life. Not that I have anything against pub grub — love me some french fries and onion rings — but to truly compliment craft beer, I feel it necessary to provide high quality food. It’ll be somewhat of a dive; that place you go to hang out and relax on a Tuesday afternoon or to get a little crazy on a Saturday night.

BR: So tell me about your pet exercising business, Shake a Leg. Do you run much with your pets?

SH: Aside from running, food and beer, dogs are a passion of mine.  They’re amazing creatures and to have the opportunity to work with them everyday is an honor. The owners notice a positive change in their pets because of my influence. It’s humbling and ego-boosting. I have one dog and one cat of my own, and while I’d love to run with both of them, I fear I would get strange looks running down the street with a cat. My dog, Samson, is the best running buddy anyone could ask for!

BR: Anything else to add?

SH: Too often in our lives today we deal with things that are fake, whether food, television or each other. Running and craft beer offer a sense of truth. There’s no hiding from anything or anyone behind running or beer.