Its a learning curve, but there’s a fair few of us on here, so plenty of people will be along to offer advice.
Key to going for a ride is preparation. If you are being treated just by diet and tablets (such as metformin), then the effects of riding won’t be as dramatic as if you are taking insulin. you will find that you get used to how your body copes and the effects of the meds.
Before you set out on a ride, take a blood sugar reading so you know where you are. If you need to, eat before you set out and always take something to munch on with you. make sure you have something that’s going to give you a quick top up of glucose as you’ll need this if you go low. for longer rides, slow releasing foods as well. be prepared to take your tester with you as well.
Get yourself an ID tag with the fact that you are diabetic recorded on it – in a worst case scenario, it could really save you! I’ve got a RoadID for this – customisable text, quick delivery (from USA) and doesn’t look numpty!
Also be prepaired for the effects a good long hard ride will have after you get back and for the next 12 hours or so, you may well find yourself quite low (in sugary sense) compaired to other days