Hot 48 miles and dehydration

[OakLeaf]

Confusion is one of the first things that happens to me when I overheat.

Not dehydrate.

Remember that in these temperatures and humidity, you could be perfectly well hydrated and still overheat. They're not the same thing.

But it also sounds like you didn't drink nearly enough.

Are you weighing yourself before and after a ride? That's the only way to determine your personal sweat rate. One pint of water is one pound. Find the difference, if any, in your weight before and after; keep track of how much you drink during the ride; and figure it from there.

I'm a heavy sweater. In this weather I can easily sweat two liters an hour. Your body actually can't absorb that much that quickly, so you really need to be careful with hydration. But beyond that, be aware that you can still be overheating, and deal with it by STOPPING; if ice or cool water is available, get it onto your pulse points (armpits, groin, neck); drink crushed ice.

Beyond the obvious primary dangers of overheating, dizzy and confused are not a good way to be on two wheels in traffic. That's exactly why I got the cooling vest for the motorcycle.

[Catrin]

Confusion is one of the first things that happens to me when I overheat.

Not dehydrate.

Remember that in these temperatures and humidity, you could be perfectly well hydrated and still overheat. They're not the same thing.

But it also sounds like you didn't drink nearly enough...

Didn't think of just plain over-heating causing a little confusion. The temps weren't THAT high, but did climb quite a few steep hills against a hot and strong head-wind. Sometimes I don't sweat very much, other times I do.

Time to purchase a new scale, finally. And yeah, this is also a heads-up on drinking enough. I THOUGHT I had that worked out

[Zen]

Everyone has their own unique physiology.
I don't know what the temp is in Indiana but it's too hot here to safely exercise.
I live on a major cycling route and I saw no one out today, cycling or otherwise.

[Catrin]

Hypoglycemia is a real bear. I find that the lower I get, the more confused I get, and the less likely I am to remember what to do (eat).

In the course of a 3.5 hour ride I will eat probably 20 shot blocs. It really is crucial that I eat them *before* I feel I need to. I'm in the habit now of also bringing glucose tablets along, I've had a couple moments where chewing clif blox was just too complicated for me to figure out. Hopefully I'll do a better job managing things in the future and won't get to that point. But at least the glucose tablets don't have to be chewed...

I buy shot blox by the case at REI, you get a discount.
The glucose tablets I get by the jar at the pharmacy. They are cheaper by the jar than by the tube, and I just use the jar to refill the tubes.

I will check REI out - my body seems to tolerate them fine I just have to remember to EAT them. I thought I had all this worked out but it is time to get it right - thanks. Today got my attention. I need more food and I need more drink on the bike! Glucose tabs sound like a good idea as well. I don't get hypoglycimic all that often, but my blood glucose has been known to get down to 33 due to intense exercise w/out proper fuel. Thought I had this worked out.

I HAVE figured out how to eat them on the bike - I prop the open package in my Bento box on my TT and can grab one as I need. I didn't do that today though, I went through only half of one package... so that was what, 100 calories for the Blocs, 250 from the Cliff bar, and 240 calories from the Accelerade ~ for a grand total of 590 calories to fuel 3.5 hours of cycling (4.3 hours total in the heat)?

Sheesh, well, lesson learned

Will also remember that overheating can cause the same confusion - I honestly did not know that.

Everyone has their own unique physiology.
I don't know what the temp is in Indiana but it's too hot here to safely exercise.
I live on a major cycling route and I saw no one out today, cycling or otherwise.

This morning it wasn't too bad here, and there were lots of cyclists out. We were all trying to get our thing done before the official heat warning took effect at noon. Of course it took me until almost 1:30 to get back to my car... Tomorrow it is supposed to cool down to a reasonable level - assuming that the rains come tomorrow morning that is predicted.