What happened?

[kjay]

I signed up for a 32-mile ride, but after 20 miles, I felt like I was pedaling in cement; I was in the lowest gear but my legs were heavy and I could only go very slowly. After checking the threads on bonking, I don't believe that I bonked, but it such a strange feeling. After about five minutes of rest and some Cytomax, I started pedaling, only to discover that pedaling was now a breeze and took almost no effort at all. What do you think happened? I've not experienced this before, even after cycling many, many miles over many years. Thanks in advance!

[Eden]

Definitely sounds like a bonk to me - your muscles were running out of energy, you gave them some ready energy in the form of the sugars in Cytomax and they were happy again.

[Sheesh]

I agree with Eden. My one and only bonk didn't feel like I thought a bonk would feel at the time. But, once I had some gatorade, Gu, and Clif Bar, I was good to go...

[annie]

Wow, in only five minutes you were ok to ride again? Could be the shortest bonk in the history of cycling! LOL!
Seriously, I'd say your muscles definitely were out of fuel. You gave yourself a quick, easily digested fuel, and boom! Ready to go.
I remember a ride I did some years ago. Started out harder/faster than I should have. Ran out of gas after about 25 miles, with 75 to go. It was amazing, how quickly I went from agressive riding to barely-hanging-on riding. Then we hit a rest stop, yay!!! I grabbed a bottle of gatorage and swigged it down, and got another one for on the road. Within a short time of starting to ride again, I felt like a different person. Had my energy back and kept up with the group. I figured it was the quickie calories in the gatorade. Now I always keep a powdered energy drink or a gel on hand for emergency fuel. Bonking sucks! It teaches us a lesson, but is best avoided.

Annie

[boy in a kilt]

You bonked. Not badly but you bonked. You may have been in that state where your body says "if you keep this up and don't give me some candy, you'll regret it" stage.

[kjay]

Do I ever appreciate all your comments! I guess there are degrees of bonking. I thought I would have to be dizzy, clammy, cold, shivery, etc. Thanks to all of you for helping me out here.

[boy in a kilt]

Thinking back to the times I've bonked and had that particular combination of symptoms, I also had mild hypothermia.

Cytomax was probably a good choice. The last time I bonked on a ride, I chose a coke and a hostess cherry pie as my remedy. Dumping that much refined sugar into a glycogen-starved system is just not a good idea.