Reminds me of a funny brewery ending location story from a former annual Century ride from Austin,TX to Shiner... home of the Spoetzl Brewery and Shiner Bock.
I will admit that in 1998 I started reading the (what is now called a) blog by Kristin Armstrong about her husband's return from cancer to the pro peloton. It was such an inspiration to me. Reading about the whole thing from her POV while it was happening (there were some very tough times - she wasn't even sure if he would make it back to be a pro, let alone what he became (ha!)). But they both would celebrate the little victories and special moments with their favorite beer: Shiner Bock. At that time we couldn't get it in the northeast. In the early aughts we took a trip to Houston and Galveston and were able to get Shiner. We were so excited! I am still a fan. When it comes to 'regular' beer, I like Shiner Bock and Yuengling (PA). Shiner tastes like a sweet desert oasis to me. Yuengling like a stream through an autumn forest. No comparison to craft brew but I love it for what it is.
In 1999 I learned how pro stage racing really works. My buddies and I only talked about racing for the whole month of July. It was glorious. That was when I was became hooked on road cycling. Now I look back with such mixed emotions. I'm glad to have adopted the sport but I'm sad that the whole timeframe was so tainted by doping. I so wanted to believe - like a preteen not wanting to give up on Santa Claus. I bought all of his books, I wore the damned yellow wristband. At least I didn't buy the team kit (please admit if you did, I won't judge ). Now I don't even go out of my way to watch the tour.
But this year there won't be a tour. I took it for granted. I didn't watch but it was a comfort that it was happening. I always figured I would make it to France some July to watch the spectacle. Now I'm going to miss it.