First Group Ride

[DarcyInOregon]

My two cents ... if you are a person who doesn't get the annual blood fasting tests through your doctor, meaning you don't know what your blood sugars are, then call your doctor and request the blood tests. You may be pre-diabetic, diabetic or insulin resistant, and bonking at mile 5 is your body telling you that something is wrong.

If you are ok health-wise, and I sure hope you are, then like someone said, get to the gym and do cardio on the elliptical, plus take spin class, plus get out and do some walking/hiking. Build up your cardio off-the-bike so that you can do 90 minutes easily on another activity.

Another idea is you may be riding in the heat of the day and you are simply heat sensitive.

And check your electrolytes like others mentioned.

The categories are one - fitness ability, two - blood sugars, and three - electrolytes. Your problem will be in one of the categories. Unless .... hate to mention the obvious, but make sure your brakes are not rubbing against the rims. Flip up the little lever if you need to do so.

[redrhodie]

Wow, so much to think about, and a lot of great advice. I think the bike size sounds in the right range. I was just thinking, well, if she's 5' 4 and on a 56, that could be the problem.

[Velocivixen]

Two bowls of cereal wouldn't keep me going. What kind of cereal? Where's any significant protein? The body takes longer to digest protein and complex carbohydrates, so that's what I focus on throughout my day, along with healthy oils/fat, plenty of fresh fruit & vegetables. It sounds like how I feel when I bonk- all trembly and like I am out of energy.

How is your fitness level?

[Bethany1]

Before cycling I was in terrible shape. I've had a bad back for years and last year I could barely do anything without the muscles seizing up for several days at a time. I used to do a lot of walking but when your back would seize up, I had to stop. I had two rounds of physical therapy and talked with a back specialist. He said to lose weight now. Doc figured I'd hurt my back when I had that first gran mal seizure and fell backwards behind the sink and toilet.

I couldn't make it around the block without exhausting myself for a week. I got about a mile (1/2 mile to the light and head back) but it's all uphill back to my house. I'd end up walking up the last hill completely spent. I'd do different routes but each have different grades of hills going back home, some of which are half mile or more.

I told myself I'd at least get to the Peru sign, 5 miles uphill once I got my Madone and nearly killed myself up to the top but I was determined to do it. It's all downhill from the top and coasted all the way down at 30mph. I ended up having to walk the last mile home going up two other hills. It was a 12 mile round trip. I probably spent two days sleeping it off.

After someone mentioned hypoglycemia, I went back over my medication side effects. I started taking Celexa a couple of months ago and one of the side effects is hypoglycemia. When you are medications, I try to make sure everything works together and know the side effects.

Celexa has really changed my life for the better as the depression is basically gone.

I always have two water bottles full of water.

Getting blood sugars tested sounds like a great idea. I'll set up a visit and see how that goes. I'd hate to have something serious and not know it until it's too late.

I went riding with DH last night. He had his chopper bike and I took his Townie. It was really relaxing to do a couple of miles together on a comfortable bike.

[Roadtrip]

I too think 5 miles and your cooked could be a little abnormal, or at least reason to talk to your doc about it, just to be sure. Glad you have an appt to talk to your doc to invistigate. I don't think your weight itself shouldn't be a factor. I currently weigh more then you and even when I first started biking (30 pounds heavier) found I could do five / six miles and not be as spend as your appear to be. I'm doing 18-20 mile rides now.

I would say the hydration idea is key as well. I've seen my DH bonk hard by not properly hydrate/eating prior to a ride and he's thin and fitter then I.

Good luck!!!

Shannon

[Velocivixen]

I do not think that weight, alone, makes a difference. I have seen women who would be considered overweight who regularly cycle who could kick my butt any day on a bike (I'm 5'6" & 137 lbs.). Yes, it does require more strength and endurance to carry around more weight, but weight is not the only factor. It sounds, too, like you could benefit from continued strengthening overall. Eventually you could build both the strength and stamina to go longer and farther. I know I can go a lot farther on flat ground vs hills.
Have you tried riding more than 5 miles on completely flat ground to see how it goes?

[Bethany1]

Okay. Did a test run today to check things out. I went up to Lincoln to the Mopac trail with DH and son as I'm sick of gravel hills and semi trucks. The trail is relatively flat, easy to ride and no stupid cornfields.

I stopped off at the gas station, picked up a Gatorade, a protein and energy bar and drove to the park. I ate the protein bar about halfway there.

I reset the computer and headed off at around 10 mph taking sips of Gatorade as I went. I made it 4.5 miles without any problems and DH said he needed to head back to the car. He's a weekend warrior and him going that far was really great. I split the energy bar with him and headed back.

I made it the other 4.5 miles back to the car without any problems. DH had to stop and rest a few minutes and we went on. I was a little tired, but not even close to "bonked" when we went back to the car. Son had been sitting there for twenty minutes.

We drove back the hour and 20 minutes back home and I'm doing great.