Bike Stupid? Bike Legs?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 11, 2012 at 2:43pm

Strange! I get the same thing when riding my bike to the bar! I keed, I keed. Seriously though, I think I have experienced this once or twice. I'm not a doctor, but the reasoning you provided seems to make sense. Either that, or it's a low blood sugar thing. Do you feel better after eating?

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Permalink Reply by Liz on June 11, 2012 at 2:58pm

I'd suggest discussing with a Dr if it happens all the time.  You may be anemic, have low blood sugar, low blood pressure, or be ok as is.  Probably best to get it checked out. 

Edit: This weekend was quite warm, you might have been experiencing heat stress, if it only happens when its warm this may be why.  

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 11, 2012 at 2:58pm

I do not get hungry until an hour after my ride, so by then it has worn off. I do not drink and ride, so it could be a case of oldfartitis.

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 11, 2012 at 3:28pm

I agree about asking the Doc.

I do think getting some carbs in pretty quickly after the ride would help.

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Permalink Reply by magomawe on June 11, 2012 at 3:31pm

I'd say it is low blood sugar.  When biking for hours I used to always just have no brain for a long time after.  If I eat enough sugar and drink enough water, I don't have that problem.  To be sure you get enough sugar, you should be eating as you ride (if you are going for more than 90 minutes).  Dried fruit, nuts, gatorade, and powerbars are all good for eating while you ride. If you bike for just 40 or 60 minutes, I would still consume some juice, fruit, etc when you are done.  When I don't I end up just staring off into space for way too long.  Forms of sugar and water will really help a lot with bike brain.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 11, 2012 at 3:44pm

You can always count on good advice from Chainlink. I was at the doc's last week and everything checked out fine. But the low blood sugar is the most likely culprit. I was out Sunday for 25 miles and hydrated myself well with water, but 6 Fig Newton's probably does not cut it on the blood sugar side. U da best.

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Permalink Reply by S on June 11, 2012 at 4:45pm

Unless you're really working out hard (intervals or hard tempo) or going for a long 2+ hour ride, you don't really need to use an energy drink or something similar if you're reasonably healthy.  Most racers don't bother with that stuff for races under 60 minutes and if you're going at lower intensities you're only really going through about 400-600 calories an hour and shouldn't have problems maintaining blood sugar at that rate. The electrolyte replacement probably also isn't needed unless you're doing a really long endurance event (4+ hours) or if it's really hot outside. Food and a lot of energy drinks already have some electrolytes in them so you need to to supplement unless you're losing a lot of electrolytes.

James Kelly said:

A good way to help maintain blood sugar levels is to put some orange juice in your water bottle, then dilute it with water. I've also heard of folks putting a pinch of sea salt in for electrolytes. Or you can try a sports drink like Gatorade.

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Permalink Reply by Megan H on June 11, 2012 at 5:13pm

When my friends and I were training for a century a couple years ago, we called it "bike brain." It would always make the end of long rides more frustrating/entertaining. We ate and hydrated pretty well on rides; I always just kind of put it down to redirected circulation, like you mentioned. Although blood sugar sounds like a good culprit as well, now that you mention it.

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Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 11, 2012 at 9:37pm

I have developed an immunity to this effect by being stupid to begin with.

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Permalink Reply by Liz on June 12, 2012 at 8:55am

Make sure you eat a meal with some fiber/protein before your ride.  600 calories worth of fig newtons vs 600 calories of beans and eggs makes a big difference since it takes your body longer to digest.  If that doesn't help you may want to consider taking an iron supplement.  

Did you tell your Dr about the condition after riding?  A Dr can only check for things he/she knows are wrong with you.  They may not have run a test or blood work specific to possible causes if you didn't mention it was a problem.  I'm simply concerned because lack of coordination can mean many many more things than low blood sugar or anemia.  

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 12, 2012 at 12:08pm

Thanks for your concern, Liz. I had a complete (bloodwork) physical 9 months ago, including a stress test - walk on a treadmill while they monitored my heart rate. I do not get this on commutes, but on longer weekend rides when I may spend 2, 3 or 4 hours riding around. The leg thing is like getting off a boat and still walking like a sailor - I ride a recumbent which may exacerbate this. The bike brain is also temporary after a weekend ride, like walking into a room and forgetting what you are there for, or opening up google and forgetting what you were going to google.

You are absolutely right about the pre-ride meal.

 
Liz said:

Make sure you eat a meal with some fiber/protein before your ride.  600 calories worth of fig newtons vs 600 calories of beans and eggs makes a big difference since it takes your body longer to digest.  If that doesn't help you may want to consider taking an iron supplement.  

Did you tell your Dr about the condition after riding?  A Dr can only check for things he/she knows are wrong with you.  They may not have run a test or blood work specific to possible causes if you didn't mention it was a problem.  I'm simply concerned because lack of coordination can mean many many more things than low blood sugar or anemia.  

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Permalink Reply by Nançois on June 12, 2012 at 12:44pm

In a pinch, I swear by Snickers as my #1 low blood sugar remedy. Plenty of simple carbs to quickly elevate your blood sugar, with ample protein and fat to sustain it. Plus, they are readily-available almost anywhere.

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