Quote Originally Posted by Veronica
For me it feels like I'm riding in mud and it comes on suddenly.
This so totally describes it.

I went on a 10 mile mtb ride- first 4 miles is a gradual climb on fire road and I middle ringed it almost the whole way for the first time. Next mile very steep climbing. I had never cleared so much w/o walking, heartrate was betreen 170 and 189. But... 3/4 way started feeling chills. Bad sign considering it was 80º out and sunny. Started feeling pukey. Kept climbing another 1/4 mile. Stopped for a rest and drink of 50% gatorade. Continued on short DH and then a 1/4 mile very steep climb. Halfway up I had the "riding in mud" feeling. I stopped, and sat down for a few minutes, dizzy. Walked my bike up an ended up puking. One of my friends came back and walked up the hill with me. At the top sipped some more Gatorade. Because we were in the middle of nowhere I had to continue, almost all downhill from there. Paced up the short climbs. The last 3 miles was downhill singletrack. I took it easy- still a little woozy and didn't want to crash. Made it down, actually had some fun.

Had a smoothie on the way home but was totally wiped out the rest of the day-- tired, headache, woosy. Just took it easy.

So what did I learn?

• Have a good breakfast and start hydrating early. Get a lot of fluids in before the ride.
• Don't push too hard when there is a lot of distance/ elevation to cover.
• Don't expect to keep up with my friends' 9-speed 27 lb full suspension bikes when I am on my 8-speed 32 lb steel hardtail. They will always wait for me to catch up.
• Stop and rest and get some food/ fluids in at the first sign of trouble.

I really don't want to ever do this again. This is supposed to be fun!