Diabetes and cycling.....

[RubyTuesday]

I have just started cycling in the past few weeks and have run into an issue with my Diabetes.

I have type one Diabetes and am on an insulin pump. To keep the insulin use down (weight gain if you use too much), I generally eat pretty low carb. The problem I am having is after about an hour on my bike, my blood sugar takes a major nose dive. That really isn't a problem with all of the gels and bloc's available. But, I have also found that several hours after my ride, I am low again. Really low.

Diabetes brings all kinds of issues with cycling. I am also having a pretty hard time with skin integrity in the "seat" area. I bought some Hoo Ha Ride Glide and so far that seems to be helping. Can I say "minty fresh?"

Is anyone else on this forums riding with Diabetes? How do you manage the lows and how much of an insulin decrease is needed for say a 20 mile ride?

[RubyTuesday]

Sorry, this should of gone under health issues.

Newbie here.... mods please feel free to move this.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm not diabetic, but I am on a JDRF fundraising team. I haven't really noticed my type 1 friends eating differently during rides than those of who are not type 1, but they DO check their blood sugar pretty frequently and make adjustments to their insulin as needed. My guess is that your experience is fairly common, since it seems like most of them are checking with increasing frequency later in our long training rides (which are now up in the 70 mile range).

Does this resource help, any?

[TsPoet]

I have just started cycling in the past few weeks and have run into an issue with my Diabetes.

Is anyone else on this forums riding with Diabetes? How do you manage the lows and how much of an insulin decrease is needed for say a 20 mile ride?

Type1 since I was 11, I'm now 44. Been on a pump for 20 years.
#1) Remember that anything you see with your blood sugar is due to something (esp insulin) 1-3 hr before. So back way up in time to make changes.
I set my basal to 25% before commuting for work - for the first 30 min (it's a 1 hr commute). For an all-day ride, I'll turn it off for the first hour, then to 25% for the next couple of hours. This might work for you, or even turn it off for the first 30 min of your ride.
The after-ride effects is due to the exercise. Do you have alternate basals? I have one that is 50% of my usual - I use that for long rides or all day rides, just leave it at 50% during and after rides.
You will have to do trial and error and figure out what works for you.
Also remember that the gels and blocks are generally fairly quick sugar, so you might try eating a boiled egg or slice of cheese or something at the same time - for its effects later. You can also eat a small snack after the ride - something small and with protein.
There is a pretty good diabetes forum, with and "athletes" subforum.
http://www.tudiabetes.org/
I no longer frequent the forum, I got tired of all the self-pitty. But, you might find some help there as well.

[DarcyInOregon]

The only thing I can add to the advice is to register every year with the Tour de Cure in your region and ride on weekends with your local Tour de Cure training group; the Tour de Cure is the annual bike event that raises money for the American Diabetes Association. Many of the registered cyclists are diabetics, and many with type 1 diabetes, and I know the type 1 diabetics have it figured out because they ride long and hard. If you join the weekend training group, you will meet other type 1 cyclists and can ask them questions and learn from them how they solved their blood sugar problems. You also get a free Red Jersey that tells everyone you ride with diabetes for the American Diabetes Associatioin.

[Becky]

Me.

IMO, reduced basal rates and extra carbs are the way to go. For short rides, I'll just eat some extra carbs. For longer rides, I have to go to a 50% basal rate, starting 1 hour before the ride, and eat as needed. It's very much a trial and error process, but a worthwhile one.

I recommend two books: The Diabetic Athlete by Sheri Colberg and Pumping Isulin by John Walsh.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

ETA: Active bolus plays a huge role in how many carbs I need during a workout. The less insulin remaining from a bolus, the less I need to eat, and the less likely I am to go low. I try to time meals carefully with respect to my workouts, and it's made a big difference in how I feel and perform.

[7rider]

Team Type 1
Pro, Development, and elite cycling, running and triathlon.
Many/most/all with Type 1 diabetes (depending on the squad).
Information and inspiration....

[RubyTuesday]

Thanks for the replies. I will check out both sites carefully. I really think I just need to find a good temp basal rate for riding. I tend to avoid carbs, but find I have to have them before a ride.

Thank you zoom-zoom for riding in the JDFR fundraiser!!!!