INFO needed Type 2 diabetic

[ClockworkOrange]

I really need your help out there, yes, I could search the internet but it would not be so specific as asking you guys.

My partner and I have managed to get up a Team of 18 for this years London Bikeathon.

There are a couple of people in their early 50's who are Type 2 diabetic.

Now, we are talking totally newbies to riding a bike, so all this considered, I so want to offer them some good advice as to how to deal with the diabetic problem.

So, I need to know best foods and drinks to have before a ride, during and after.

Also any other useful tips would be appreciated.

Our Team are doing well, so far we have raised $2700, the majority of our Team are all beginners!

Thanks in advance.

Clock

[Becky]

CO, good for you for looking out for your teammates!

That said, diabetes management is a really individual thing. People may be on different medications, or have different foods that they can or cannot eat because of the impact on their sugar levels. My best advice would be to have your teammates contact their doctors, so that they can evaluate and adjust any meds for the activity levels, and ensure that they're eating enough carbohydrates during exercise to be safe.

You don't say if any of them are taking insulin. Exercise and diabetes meds (insulin and some pills) can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). I would recommend that you familiarize yourself with the symptoms of hypoglycemia (shakiness, confusion, mood changes, etc.). I also recommend that you have emergency contact info for all of your teammates, not just the ones with D.

Hope this helps, and good luck with the ride!

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi Becky

That was just the answer I was after.

I did not think about an emergency contact number for each Team member but bearing in mind some of us well past half a century, or even past our sell by date, it is an extremely good idea.

Many thanks.

Clock

[Zen]

At this point are they active at all?
If they are then they should know how their bodies react to exercise and what to look for.
One of my riding buddies is diabetic and before she got her insulin pump would rely on a stash of jelly beans and clif bars.

[ClockworkOrange]

I should have added, so far as I know, they take tablets but are not having to inject themselves.

The two concerned have only just started riding bikes and are not the fittest, they are 51 and 56 respectively.

They are active but only in as much as they have just started riding a bike in the last 7 weeks. To give you an example, one guy just rode 20 miles in just under 4 hours!

Then again 7 weeks ago he didn't even own a bike and had NEVER ridden a bike with gears.

The ride we will be doing is only 26 miles and quite honestly, we will only ride as fast as the slowest rider.

Might be a long ride.

Clock