Any Diabetic Cyclists?
07-04-11, 06:13 AM
#26
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It will be a year this week after being diagnosed. Still kind of crazy to me. I'm on Humulin N and Metformin. I always make sure to have a good meal/snack before riding. My levels usually get lower than higher.
T-1's, what's your favorite snack during the ride? I've found a few gels that are decently low in sugar and carbs, but haven't tried any out yet. Any suggestions?
T-1's, what's your favorite snack during the ride? I've found a few gels that are decently low in sugar and carbs, but haven't tried any out yet. Any suggestions?
07-04-11, 06:42 AM
#27
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Type II. Diagnosed 21 August 2003 and am missing 2 toes because of it (hence my sig).
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07-04-11, 07:25 AM
#28
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It will be a year this week after being diagnosed. Still kind of crazy to me. I'm on Humulin N and Metformin. I always make sure to have a good meal/snack before riding. My levels usually get lower than higher.
T-1's, what's your favorite snack during the ride? I've found a few gels that are decently low in sugar and carbs, but haven't tried any out yet. Any suggestions?
T-1's, what's your favorite snack during the ride? I've found a few gels that are decently low in sugar and carbs, but haven't tried any out yet. Any suggestions?
Snacks....my wife buys fruit snacks for our grandson's visits and we all like to nibble on them. I'll grab 6 packages and stuff them in the small tool bag. Any more than that and I need to stop for a meal instead. But at least the fruit snacks get me through. One package gives a handfull and with the watering up I'm good for another 60-90min of hard riding. Most of the time I wont let the blood sugar go lower than 75 and with the intense nature of biking in hot weather you can feel yourself getting low before it's critical but really, it's better to be a touch high so you can finish the trip well fueled.
Dont worry about the carbs if it's any concern to you......cycling is different, either you get the carbs or you go down. Easy choice, rough consequences.
I'm on Humulin "N", 30u in the morning and 25u late afternoon. On a ride day I'll be cutting back the afternoon dosage by 5u.
Bike safe and bike strong.
Last edited by OldsCOOL; 07-04-11 at 07:31 AM.
07-04-11, 07:57 AM
#29
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Type 2 here for the last 15 years. After I returned to cycling last summer I went from 230 pounds to 180 pounds (and counting down).
I went from 140 units of insulin/day to just 20 units/day.
My mom died two years ago of complications from diabetes. She never learned to ride a bike, but this is what she bought me (more than 20 years ago):
When I die, it won't be of complications from diabetes.
Grazie Mami!
I went from 140 units of insulin/day to just 20 units/day.
My mom died two years ago of complications from diabetes. She never learned to ride a bike, but this is what she bought me (more than 20 years ago):
When I die, it won't be of complications from diabetes.
Grazie Mami!
07-04-11, 08:06 AM
#30
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Type 2 here for the last 15 years. After I returned to cycling last summer I went from 230 pounds to 180 pounds (and counting down).
I went from 140 units of insulin/day to just 20 units/day.
My mom died two years ago of complications from diabetes. She never learned to ride a bike, but this is what she bought me (more than 20 years ago):
When I die, it won't be of complications from diabetes.
Grazie Mami!
I went from 140 units of insulin/day to just 20 units/day.
My mom died two years ago of complications from diabetes. She never learned to ride a bike, but this is what she bought me (more than 20 years ago):
When I die, it won't be of complications from diabetes.
Grazie Mami!
07-04-11, 08:39 AM
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I did a local cancer institute charity century, lined up in the AM. Guy ahead of me had a small seatpost mounted rack, and a small bag which wasn't abnormal for this event, lots of racks and bags as it's not a race. But he had a bunch of **** on his handle bars... I peeped further, my interest peeked on bike goodies, he had a meter zip tied to his left bar, a zip tie and rubber tube with a "pricky thing" for testing stuffed into it, syringes in a head tube bag and I presume insulin in the bag on the rack on ice... I was in awe, dedication.
07-04-11, 07:27 PM
#32
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I did a local cancer institute charity century, lined up in the AM. Guy ahead of me had a small seatpost mounted rack, and a small bag which wasn't abnormal for this event, lots of racks and bags as it's not a race. But he had a bunch of **** on his handle bars... I peeped further, my interest peeked on bike goodies, he had a meter zip tied to his left bar, a zip tie and rubber tube with a "pricky thing" for testing stuffed into it, syringes in a head tube bag and I presume insulin in the bag on the rack on ice... I was in awe, dedication.
07-05-11, 01:10 PM
#33
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That was my assumption... I didn't look inside his bag, I have no idea, I only assumed b/c I was acquainted with my old boyscout friends who had their crap on ice years ago.
07-05-11, 10:32 PM
#34
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07-05-11, 11:47 PM
#35
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Heres a good meter to carry on the bike. Its the smallest meter out atm.
https://www.northcoastmed.com/true2go.htm
Its about as small as a quarter.
https://www.northcoastmed.com/true2go.htm
Its about as small as a quarter.
07-06-11, 04:06 AM
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I just can't imagine how difficult it would be to maintain good BG during cycling using multiple daily injections rather than a pump. Not that it's a breeze with a pump but at least I can turn down my basals (for me I turn them down a LOT) a couple hours before I ride and that keeps me in the right ballpark. If I was still using Lantus I imagine I'd have to be consuming carbs as quickly as I could while riding to keep from crashing.
I can't put up with a tubing leash on a pump so I ended up with an OmniPod (tubeless pump - you stick it on your body and control it with a wireless controller). Even then I had lots of problems with it coming off due to sweat from long rides in the heat until I started using Mastisol - now the pod stays put even through 3 hours rides in 90+ degree heat. Still, it's annoying to be wearing this thing 24/7 but it does make cycling possible for me and it does improve control so it's worth it to me.
My advice is to do your research, talk to your doctor and then try out a pump. Most of the pump companies offer trial periods where you get a full refund if you end up not liking their product. That way you could try a few a find the one you like best.
I can't put up with a tubing leash on a pump so I ended up with an OmniPod (tubeless pump - you stick it on your body and control it with a wireless controller). Even then I had lots of problems with it coming off due to sweat from long rides in the heat until I started using Mastisol - now the pod stays put even through 3 hours rides in 90+ degree heat. Still, it's annoying to be wearing this thing 24/7 but it does make cycling possible for me and it does improve control so it's worth it to me.
My advice is to do your research, talk to your doctor and then try out a pump. Most of the pump companies offer trial periods where you get a full refund if you end up not liking their product. That way you could try a few a find the one you like best.
07-06-11, 09:12 AM
#37
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I just can't imagine how difficult it would be to maintain good BG during cycling using multiple daily injections rather than a pump. Not that it's a breeze with a pump but at least I can turn down my basals (for me I turn them down a LOT) a couple hours before I ride and that keeps me in the right ballpark. If I was still using Lantus I imagine I'd have to be consuming carbs as quickly as I could while riding to keep from crashing.
I can't put up with a tubing leash on a pump so I ended up with an OmniPod (tubeless pump - you stick it on your body and control it with a wireless controller). Even then I had lots of problems with it coming off due to sweat from long rides in the heat until I started using Mastisol - now the pod stays put even through 3 hours rides in 90+ degree heat. Still, it's annoying to be wearing this thing 24/7 but it does make cycling possible for me and it does improve control so it's worth it to me.
My advice is to do your research, talk to your doctor and then try out a pump. Most of the pump companies offer trial periods where you get a full refund if you end up not liking their product. That way you could try a few a find the one you like best.
I can't put up with a tubing leash on a pump so I ended up with an OmniPod (tubeless pump - you stick it on your body and control it with a wireless controller). Even then I had lots of problems with it coming off due to sweat from long rides in the heat until I started using Mastisol - now the pod stays put even through 3 hours rides in 90+ degree heat. Still, it's annoying to be wearing this thing 24/7 but it does make cycling possible for me and it does improve control so it's worth it to me.
My advice is to do your research, talk to your doctor and then try out a pump. Most of the pump companies offer trial periods where you get a full refund if you end up not liking their product. That way you could try a few a find the one you like best.
I'm still struggleing this year with riding but am doing better before a 2 hour ride it was 126 after it was 113,thats much better.
I'm still working on getting a pump,not just for cycling but for the rest of life,such as work,picnics and stuff.
I'll be seeing a pump educator in a couple of weeks.Hopefully by the end of summer I'll have one and can start figureing it out to get a jump on next year.
07-07-11, 08:17 PM
#39
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On short rides 2 hours and under I just drink gatorade and carry at least one gel pack just incase.
Gel packs do tend to be a bit much though and have just recently got some chewable gel shots.These come with about 10-12 chewable things in a pack so you can adjust how much sugar you are getting.
For longer rides I like to snack on trail mix regularly,with this you get some carbs and some protien and fat to help slow the carb absorption.This work for me for several hours but I still need to stop and eat a regular lunch or something.
Really the best thing to do is figure out what works for you.In the mean time carry more of those gel packs than you think you will ever need just for emergencies.
Gel packs do tend to be a bit much though and have just recently got some chewable gel shots.These come with about 10-12 chewable things in a pack so you can adjust how much sugar you are getting.
For longer rides I like to snack on trail mix regularly,with this you get some carbs and some protien and fat to help slow the carb absorption.This work for me for several hours but I still need to stop and eat a regular lunch or something.
Really the best thing to do is figure out what works for you.In the mean time carry more of those gel packs than you think you will ever need just for emergencies.
07-08-11, 12:59 PM
#40
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I am a type 1 for 13 years. Using a mini-med pump. I tend to eat before I go, and I eat about every 10 miles or so, unless I am racing. The stress of the race keeps my blood sugars up. I have a hard time telling if I am low on the bike. Whenever, it seems harder than it should I usually check and am low. I have to mess around with the temp. basel again. I am running now more than biking, so I am a little out of practice.
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