Group Ride

I'm feeling bummed. Went on a group ride today which had approximately 12 people and early on in the ride I got light headed and was feeling vertigo and had to bail out. Reason being is because I'm a Type 1 Diabetic. My blood sugar (bs) when I got back to my car was 336 (normal is 80 -120) thus the reason for feeling light headed. I had told the group leader at a prior ride that I was a type 1. I joined the group, so I wouldn't have to ride alone; though I prefer being a loner due to having to stop frequently to assess how I feel. I guess the real reason I'm bummed is because the majority were all new people and it was embarrassing to bail out; especially because they did not know I was a diabetic and they probably thought I couldn't take the ride and panicked and bailed :(

Well I'm going to get on my road bike tomorrow morning to commute to work and hopefully that will lift my spirits.

Take Care all.

I think you did great, under the circumstances. Type 1 can be a huge limiting factor for people. My hubby is an asst. coach for our local JDRF chapter's fundraising cycling team. As a result we have become friendly with a lot of people who have type 1 or have a type 1 person (or persons) in their family.

Do you have a JDRF ride team in your area? This would be a perfect group for you to become involved with. No one would understand your needs better or be better prepared to assist you during low and high blood sugar episodes mid-ride. They would stop with you until you were able to get things under control. Our JDRF group is truly one of the classiest bunch of folks I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Next year I am planning to do the training, fundraising, and ride with the team, too.

Thanks Z-Z for the support and understanding. I will look into the NH JDRF chapter. I've done both MTB and Road bike group rides but this last one was a wake-up call for me. I can't push myself to be like everyone else. At least I can say that I experienced what it was like to ride with a group. But I'm going to stick with small group rides with my friends for now.

Thanks again

If you want info. on the chapter nearest you I can find out who you should contact. I think you'd really love being involved with the organization. Ours sure does have a lot of fun while doing so much good. A friend I have met through biking lost her hubby to type 1. She is planning to ride with us next year. It's such a beautiful way to honor his memory and help those who deal daily with the disease.

Man, I've been there and done that! As a fellow T1, I know what 300+ feels like. For me, MTBing will send me high more readily than road riding- the higher bursts of intensity maybe?- so I definitely have to check more often or wear my CGMS.

I'm sorry that you had a crappy ride, but don't let the big D get in the way! You can do this!

You might enjoy reading on Team Type 1 if you are not familiar with them. They don't all have Type 1 but I was impressed (amazed, humbled) to find out some of the pros ride with insulin pumps and are really on top of their nutrition so they can compete at the higher levels.

I find small group rides to be best. Then I feel like I can try some things but can also walk a section I don't feel like I want to ride. In the summer I do a Monday night women's ride that we usually have 6 or so people per group. We might have 8 with a leader and sweep. It is a good amount, 12 would be too much for me personally on the trail.

Even though I don't have a medical issue such as yours, I have had to bail on a group ride this summer because I overheated and got sick to the point that I had to throw up. It is embarrassing but everyone has been there or will be there. :o

Z-Z thanks. I actually think I know who to contact. I have been involved with JDRF in the past for fundraisers and such. I'll let you know via private message if they have group rides.

Becky - thanks for the encouragement. Yes, that's exactly what happened and also the stress level of wanting to be able to keep up with the group. I also have a tendency to get low bs's and no matter how hard I try to keep it all balanced with food and diet, sometimes the stars just do not align.

Aggie - Thanks for the website. I bookmarked and will refer to it often. I have a tendency to want to stay away from all things "diabetic," but I think I need to read up more on how other diabetic cyclists handle their diabetes and try to get some tips. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 26 years, but I've also been active all my life. I wouldn't be here today, if it wasn't for the exercise. BTW, I have the same 2009 Gary Fisher Hifi Deluxe GS bike :)

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Originally Posted by MyRubyE

Becky - thanks for the encouragement. Yes, that's exactly what happened and also the stress level of wanting to be able to keep up with the group. I also have a tendency to get low bs's and no matter how hard I try to keep it all balanced with food and diet, sometimes the stars just do not align.

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I'll try to keep the unsolicited advice to a minimum...

One thing that really helped me was reading "The Diabetic Athlete" by Sheri Colberg (since updated and re-issued as "Diabetic Athlete's Handbook" by the same author). I can't remember if it specifically touched on MTBing, but there's some great discussion in there about different insulin and food strategies, and endurance sports vs. power sports.

Feel free to PM if you want to chat more.

I'm not diabetic, thankfully, but as a fellow rider, I would really want to know if someone I was riding with has some sort of health issue. What if you had fallen or had an episode while on the road? It would really help those riding with you to respond if they know what the issue is.

This has happened to me with someone who has epilepsy. She had a moment, and it totally freaked me out. She should have told me. You should tell your riding partners.

I am blind in one eye. I always tell that to my riding partners for two reasons. One is for them to be aware that I cannot see them on my right. The other is so that if there is an accident, they can tell the EMTs. This happened once when I crashed, and the EMTs were concerned that one of my pupils wasn't dilating when they shined their lights in my eye. My riding partner told them that I am blind in that eye, and that was helpful to the EMTs. I was unconscious, BTW, so I couldn't tell them.

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Originally Posted by tulip

I'm not diabetic, thankfully, but as a fellow rider, I would really want to know if someone I was riding with has some sort of health issue. What if you had fallen or had an episode while on the road? It would really help those riding with you to respond if they know what the issue is.

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I don't do many group rides but, when I do, I generally don't tell anyone about my D. I wear a Medic Alert (always!) and sometimes people will ask, but I don't go out of my way to tell. My friends and riding buds and coworkers all know- perfect strangers do not.

I've been unfairly judged by people because of D, and assumed to be a lesser rider or employee because they have this false notion that I'm fragile or need special care. I don't want someone to be afraid to follow my wheel because they think I'm going to suddenly "have an episode".

IMO, telling the group leader is appropriate. Telling the whole group is not.

(Sorry for the threadjack.)

Thanks to everyone again. I think this was a good topic to discuss on this forum and how it relates to mountain and road biking; so others with health issues know that we shouldn't be afraid and let it stop us. It just takes a little bit more planning and consideration and that there are plenty of options out there. I actually went back and hiked the trails this morning and can't wait to go back on my MTB. I will bring a friend :)

Tulip, yes I did inform the group leader and he was very supportive and an EMT. He rode back with me to make sure I stayed safe while the other leader stayed with the others. But, for reasons which Becky mentioned, I would not tell the whole goup.

Becky, thanks for the book and I will be in touch with you. I will see if I can try to find the book.

Thanks again to all.

I did not advocate announcing it the entire group. Telling the ride leader was the right thing to do. Sounds like a very good ride leader.