51 votes

Cyclist falls down 130-foot ravine in France, survives three days by drinking wine he had in shopping bag

15 comments

  1. dustylungs
    Link
    The wine lobbyists have been losing the battle to convince people that wine is good for your health. But in this case, wine clearly extended this man's lifespan.

    The wine lobbyists have been losing the battle to convince people that wine is good for your health. But in this case, wine clearly extended this man's lifespan.

    22 votes
  2. [2]
    honzabe
    Link
    Wow, his age makes it even more interesting. That is one tough old man.

    The 77-year-old missed a bend on his bike on his way home from the supermarket on a lonely road in the mountainous Cevennes region, careening down a rocky slope and into the ravine near Saint-Julien-des-Points.

    Wow, his age makes it even more interesting. That is one tough old man.

    18 votes
    1. CptBluebear
      Link Parent
      Probably on his biweekly tour de France when this happened. Old French dudes cycle till they die.

      Probably on his biweekly tour de France when this happened. Old French dudes cycle till they die.

      15 votes
  3. [5]
    BeanBurrito
    Link
    Living up to a stereotype.

    Living up to a stereotype.

    29 votes
    1. TurtleCracker
      Link Parent
      If only he had cauterized his wounds with a cigarette and used a beret as a tourniquet.

      If only he had cauterized his wounds with a cigarette and used a beret as a tourniquet.

      42 votes
    2. [3]
      nukeman
      Link Parent
      Only way it could be better is if he had a baguette and cheese as well.

      Only way it could be better is if he had a baguette and cheese as well.

      12 votes
      1. [2]
        BeanBurrito
        Link Parent
        That is what I thought! I mean he DID buy wine. Why didn't he buy some bread and cheese to go with it? He could have been living large until his rescue.

        That is what I thought!

        I mean he DID buy wine. Why didn't he buy some bread and cheese to go with it? He could have been living large until his rescue.

        3 votes
        1. asteroid
          Link Parent
          ...and then why would he need one?

          ...and then why would he need one?

          6 votes
  4. [7]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [3]
      stu2b50
      Link Parent
      I mean it was 3 days, the only thing someone of average health in a developed country (eg not starving) would need is water, and wine has plenty of water.

      I mean it was 3 days, the only thing someone of average health in a developed country (eg not starving) would need is water, and wine has plenty of water.

      23 votes
      1. [2]
        teaearlgraycold
        Link Parent
        Isn't wine a net dehydrator at ~14% alcohol?

        Isn't wine a net dehydrator at ~14% alcohol?

        7 votes
        1. chum-cha
          Link Parent
          I think it might depend on how quickly you drink the wine. I'm having trouble finding sources on mobile, but I think it basically depends on you maintaining a low ABV.

          I think it might depend on how quickly you drink the wine. I'm having trouble finding sources on mobile, but I think it basically depends on you maintaining a low ABV.

          10 votes
    2. Weldawadyathink
      Link Parent
      Most wine doesn’t actually contain sugar. Well, technically it does, but not much. Most wines are sold « dry », which means they have less than 2g/L sugar. Grape juice contains some complex sugars...

      Most wine doesn’t actually contain sugar. Well, technically it does, but not much. Most wines are sold « dry », which means they have less than 2g/L sugar. Grape juice contains some complex sugars that yeast can’t ferment into alcohol, and those are left over after fermentation. But 2g/L is well below the human detection threshold to actually taste sugar. Often when people perceive a wine as sweet, it is fruity aromas that are associated with sweet things. Ethanol itself also tastes sweet, despite not being sugar.

      Some random internet source says ethanol has about 7 calories per gram, so a bottle would have about 750 calories from the ethanol alone. So it does have calories, but not many.

      10 votes
    3. [2]
      Pistos
      Link Parent
      Well, 2 days without food usually won't kill anyone (can confirm).

      Well, 2 days without food usually won't kill anyone (can confirm).

      7 votes
      1. Narry
        Link Parent
        Meanwhile, two hours without food will kill the average house cat (according to my cat.)

        Meanwhile, two hours without food will kill the average house cat (according to my cat.)

        11 votes
  5. Thoughtninja
    Link
    As a person with plenty of French heritage and coming from a region steeped in French culture and history, yep, this is the Frenchest thing that could have happened.

    As a person with plenty of French heritage and coming from a region steeped in French culture and history, yep, this is the Frenchest thing that could have happened.

    3 votes