Throwmeabone

For those who don't know, Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar in which Muslims fast (no food or drink) between sunrise and sunset. I don't know if I'll be able to handle riding to work while fasting so maybe I'll have to get my fix after sundown.

olderbikerzzz

intermittent fasting has been shown to really be beneficial to health.

however, the no water thing is ridiculous.

food you can easily go without for long periods of time, but you need water.

Artkansas 

Yes, take care of yourself. Perhaps you should commute early so you can have a bite to eat and hydrate yourself before dawn. Ride easy on the way back.

I guess it's tougher when Ramadan occurs in the summer than in the winter since the days are longer.

ban guzzi

check with your teacher if you can 'bend the rule' about water a bit, if your comfortable with that. No water for a bicyclist is just asking for problems...

z415

I had a Muslim/formerly Catholic friend that fasted for Ramadan and he almost passed out playing basketball so I don't think you should ride as much or as hard. At the very least, pour water all over yourself while riding to keep yourself cool and minimize sweating - I don't know where you work so that might not be feasible....

Patriot

Does an I.V. count as eating?

Just askin'

prawza

yeah, i'm fasting.
Just gota take it a little easier during this time i guess. Had some cyclist zoom past me, and i had to beat my temptation to catch up to him.

neilfein

Intolerance really has no place in this. Take it elsewhere, please.

Big_e

Yeah take it easy on yourself during times of fast. Check with your spiritual leader to see if you can take in a light meal or something. The Catholic church allows for faithful that work at heavy blue-collar type jobs to perform other acts of faith or charity in place of fasting. May be a good time to bike less, meditate on your faith and excercise the soul?
Ernest

neilfein

Calling the OPs religious choices a "fairy tale" is pretty inflammatory; I was defending the OP. If you'd like to discuss this, feel free to PM me.

Back to the thread...

znomit

Dropping a few kph will significantly lower the effort required. Food shouldn't be an issue unless its a huge distance, you don't "bonk" if you're riding at low intensity. Have an extra glass of water before sunup.

neilfein

If your commute is only a few miles, I wouldn't worry too much about it; hydrate before sunrise and you should be okay. Longer than that is asking for trouble.

nemo

+1 if you want the freedom to believe what you wish, then everyone deserves the same.

capejohn

A few years ago I did a fasting type thing during the Catholic time of Lent. No meat, no sweets>. I lost 20lbs, and felt great. I also tried to to the Ramadan fasting once and didn't get through a day. Best of luck to you, it's very difficult.

GV27

Heck, I'm up long before sunup anyway. I'd just load up in the morning and be good.

East Hill

Folks--the OP has asked a question. Please, it is against Forum Guidelines to show disrespect to a member because of his or her religious beliefs:

Respectfulness
We expect our member to show respect for others. Respecting their person, their views, their time and their opinions, and their belief systems ... even if you disagree with them.

Keep to the message.

East Hill

lil brown bat

I remember reading an article last Ramadan about high school football players who were observant Muslims...I wish I could find it. Perhaps the best thing would be to do a google search for Ramadan and athletes, and see what different athletes' strategy is. I have to believe it's doable, since most of the Muslim world has been fasting during Ramadan for over a thousand years, and for most of those thousand years most of those people weren't sitting at a desk being sedentary.

uke

As someone else said, just take it a few mph slower. The greater your cruise-to-pedal ratio, the less energy you'll use per mile.

cg1985

Not to disrespect your belief, but doesn't this thread belong in Politics and religion?

zeytoun

Why?

This isn't a discussion of religious doctrine. This is a commuter who has special circumstances looking for support and tips.

Indie

It would only belong in P&R if it were actually a discussion about religion. A couple of trolls tried to make it that, but it isn't one -- it's just a question by someone who has some dietary requirements and wonders if anyone else has experiences to share.

Nobody is obligated to hide their religion. Stay away from the thread if you start to sizzle and melt at the mention of a faith other than your own.

neilfein

This is more recent, but might cover some of the same ground.

harrnjos

You shouldn't have any problems, as long as you don't push your speed too much. For most healthy people, dehydration is an overrated issue. People used to run entire marathons without drinking any water. It's really only an issue for those who are sick or have certain medical issues, but Islam exempts them from fasting anyway. Sports drink and power bar companies have really over-rated the problem.

However, you can do some modifications to your diet to ensure that you have few issues. To minimize dehydration, try to make sure you drink enough liquids during the night. Don't skimp on them. Also, consider drinking a sports drink in the morning and after you get home. Exercise can deplete electrolytes in your system. Normally, this isn't an issue for those exercising under an hour. But since you are going many hours with no liquids, the electrolytes in sports drinks can help keep your system in balance during the day.

Also, try to eat as many complex carbs as possible. If possible, try to avoid simple carbs. Complex carbs will keep you satisfied longer and a more steady stream to your system. They don't cause a spike in blood sugar like simple carbs. Complex carbs will help provide enough power throughout the day that your commute home after work isn't so hard.

neilfein

I'd also suggest that, assuming the OP hydrates before sunrise, the morning ride into work would be much easier than the ride home. Fortunately, it's easier to take it easy on the way home.

As the weather cools off later in September (assuming the OP is in the northern hemisphere), dressing a bit lighter than is warranted might help, in that there would be less sweating involved. Or could that bring on other problems?

deez

Isn't loading up with food and water before sunrise kinda against the spirit of the fast?

I'm not a religious guy but It seems kind of like cheating.