Are there any other MTBers out there with Type 1 Diabetes? I have been cycling longer and longer distances (and have type1) and would like to get input from others as to what they do to keep blood sugars from going hypo. Interested in any feedback. Cheers.
Bike Forum
MTB and Diabetes
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Posted 7 months ago #
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Hi, I'm type 1, have been for about 25 years... So I do take good control for granted a bit but at the end of the day it's not brain surgery. Cutting your dose slightly for a long ride helps but mainly it's about keeping yourself fuelled, just like anyone else. (apologies if this is too obvious but, don't be tempted to cut your insulin too far, you need it to keep your body functioning)
Lots of testing is useful when you're learning how your body reacts, over time you get a good feel for what's needed.
We have a sneaky performance advantage- we can't insulin crash
Posted 7 months ago # -
Jelly Babies...I eat a baby every 15-20 minutes and find that keeps the levels from crashing (but I need to make sure I'm doing enough effort as if I don't then the opposite happens and I end up sky high).
I'm like Northwind...I'm long-service in this party and I've been lucky enough to live with it (I was diagnosed at 17 months old so this is all I know)...that isn't to say I'm amazing at it (actually I'm pretty p!ss-poor at it), but I seem to lucky enough to have it reasonably well controlled.
Take plenty supplies with you, drop your insulin and make sure you eat regularly.
My Diabetes doctor was the one who suggested Jelly Babies every 15 minutes...has helped massively BUT if I'm out for a whole day (ultra rare these days!) then the packet is gone...my bowels tell me about it next day (but the blood levels are fine!).
Posted 7 months ago # -
Jelly Babies - great idea. I am cutting insulin but do you use any formula here (e.g. out for an hour - drop by x; out for 3 hours - drop by y)?
Posted 7 months ago # -
To be honest it's a gut feel but I normally cut my Bolus by about 4 units; my prior basal by about 40% and then about 50% less during the exercise...this tends to be fine for me but fine is variable...sometimes it's spot on, other times it's miles off the mark.
Posted 7 months ago # -
No real formula tbh (wouldn't work for anyone else if I had one) but see if you can work something sensible out from your normal dosage... Frinstance, I need to run 1 unit of short-acting insulin for every 10g of carbs, more or less. So, I can work back from that, knocking 1 unit off works similiarly to eating an extra 10g of carbs out on the trails.
I prefer to feed up than to cut down but that's a personal preference.
And yep, jelly babies!
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'm on the same ratio apart from at breakfast, where I'm closer to 1.5 units for 10g of carbs...it does come down to trial and error and mine is needing a revisit as my exercise is totally different to what it used to be...and my eating habits have also drastically changed...
The 1 formula doesn't always stay true for people either so what works for one won't necessarily work for someone else, but also what works on that given day may have a slightly different result another day (depending on foods eaten/effort and exercise done/weather conditions/any stresses going on in your life/etc.
This isn't to say it's a complete lottery, just that once the formula has been found doesn't mean you can get lax...Posted 7 months ago # -
T1 for 20 years, the guys above offer good advice but remember everyone's body is different, I'm very insulin sensitive and BS crashes quickly for me. I like to start mtb rides at about 12mmols, road about 12-14 I test after an hour and pretty much guarantee I'll be around 6-7, couple jb's will see me thru for another half hour. I've been on the pump for the past 2 yrs which helps avoid mid ride hypos.
Posted 7 months ago # -
My ration is about 2.5 to every 10g of carb, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The impact of cycling seems to be quite big in terms of how I might need to adjust and there doesn't seem to be a rule of thumb that I can get to work - but it does look like more trial and error then. Does anyone experience an 'afterburn' - i.e. the ride still has an impact on post ride ratios?
Posted 7 months ago # -
Deffo, next 2 hours post ride I half my basal rate and halve it again for a few hours next morning.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Injection sites also play their part...don't inject in leg then go cycling as your insulin absorption rate is increased quite dramatically...the muscles work harder which gets the insulin absorbed quicker. Use stomach or arm as you don't exert them as much so absorption rate should be more like your normal rate.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Check your BSL's before you go out. Take snacks. Drink. Test when you stop for a break. Take some Lucozade tablets with you.
2 hours post ride, keep an eye on things as I quite often drop then. Also try to avoid having a hot bath post ride as this can rapidly lower your BSL's.
(I find Lucozade tablets are much easier to eat when hyop - they seem to crumble and dissolve much better than Dextrose tablets do)
T1 for 13 years.
Posted 7 months ago # -
DickBarton - Member
Injection sites also play their part...don't inject in leg then go cycling as your insulin absorption rate is increased quite dramatically...
Very good advice!
Posted 7 months ago # -
I also carry a Hypo Wallet around with me...fast acting sugar in liquid, tablet and gel form...handy to have. Will post link once on a computer rather than phone.
Posted 7 months ago # -
The Hypo Wallet - http://www.diabetes.co.uk/shop/productdetails.aspx?pid=1719 - it is a good kit but it is larger than expected...not a huge issue as mine sits in my backpack but I don't tend to carry it around unless I have a bag with me, so it tends to only get used for biking duties, which is fine with me.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Thanks everyone - some really good advice here. Good to see that there are others doing their bit to control this condition rather than the condition control them. This has always been my philosophy but I do know that when out on a super long ride - Type 1 Diabetes has a habit of kicking you when you least expect it (e.g. Snow riding around the North downs last winter - I hit the wall big time!). I now know that the extreme cold impacts me. If there are other pieces of advice - please keep them coming in - I am sure it is all good and will help, even though we all react in different ways to excercise/heat/stress, etc.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Hi Mate
It's all about experimenting I'm afraid... I reduce background for big rides and use a weak Maxim solution in bottles or Camelbak
Start at 12 and test after an hour is good advice...I tend to half my insulin to CP ratio for my pre ride meal
I like to eat a 1.5cp cereal bar every 1.5-2hrs... and jelly babies for turbo boosting my final climb home
Tell your riding buddies how to spot hypos.... my power drops dramatically if I get below 6 tho so easy to spot
I'm careful to avoid hypos the following day too if I've done a big ride...reduce ratios a little
I'm only 20 months in so quite new to this but feel free to email for more info...or look up my original post when first diagnosed..got some top advice from guys on here
Posted 6 months ago # -
What they ^ all said.
Pretty much what the others have said, but key is a bit of trial & error and being prepared to deal with the errors!
Don't always get it right myself.
last time at C-Y-B I crashed right after I had lunch. I couldn't do the first 'tester' bit at the beginning of the MBR. it's usually an easy thing to ride, but just couldn't do it - a combination of no energy and marginal concentration. I quick test revealed the reason, then it was onto getting carbs in quick. Didn't really settle until False Teeth - lots of stopping, checking and munching was needed!
Posted 6 months ago # -
Hi, I'm not diabetic, but wor lasses dad was diagnosed type2, NIDDM a couple of years back. I posted on here asking for help for him when walking. Here's the thread, hope it helps:
Posted 6 months ago # -
Type 1 for the last 35 yrs here, above advice is pretty much spot on, can be a bit of a pain initially as it is good practice to test every 30mins to monitor what is going on and to see the effects any changes to your insulin regime pre-ride have worked. I have been on an insulin pump for the last 2 years and this has made riding so much easier to control by allowing micro control of the amount of insulin I take on board. i aim to maintain 9-9.5mmols during a ride as I have found this to work best for me, below 7 and I start to lose power and above 12 and I get very lethargic. Good advice about ensuring those you are riding with are aware of your diabetes and what to do if you hypo, if riding alone make sure someone knows where you are going and when you will be back (I use endomondo on my mobile phone so my wife can see where I am at all times when riding solo). As for fuelling I also use jelly babies but also use sandwiches or malt loaf for longer rides.
Another area to take care with is hypoing during the night as your body goes in to refuelling and recovery mode, can be worthwhile testing at around 2am to make sure you don't crash.Posted 6 months ago # -
Aye, good point about food...I don't just live on jelly babies whilst out riding. I take proper food as well for any food stops that will happen.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Posted 6 months ago #
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Indeed.
An understanding of how different foods work together is key, ie carbs, fats, proteins etc.
If I'm riding in the morning, ie yesterday I like to take onboard eggs on toast, maybe some grilled bacon and maybe a sprinkling of cheese to add a little fat to 'slow' down the release process...Keeps everthing nice and steady, plus a cooked brekky is never a bad thing
Still managed to hypo at 2am tho, argghh
Posted 6 months ago # -
Another big question I have for Type 1's is how do you manage your weight with all of the carb inputs/outputs and insulin you have to contend with when exercising. I am not dramatically overweight but I do not feel that I am at my optimum riding weight (5'10 - 12.5stones in old money - would like to be 12stones or less). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Posted 6 months ago # -
dadster weight loss is the same for all of us...less calories in, more calories burnt!
Just try reducing your portion sizes, since i did Dafne I'm weighing cereals bread pasta etc to get carb levels accurate...I was eating way more than recommended portion sizes
check your long acting doses aren't too high if you are always hungry too... just drop intake by 100kcal a day and you'll be 12st by xmas
fenreds right about the fats slowing carb usage down...my levels stay high for ages after a big curry feast
Posted 6 months ago # -
Sounds so simple! I know it is - just need to apply the same rigour to my diet as I do to my training / Bike Maintenance. I did Dafne so I just need to stick to it.......probably my eyes are bigger than my - nope - scratch that - my stomach is bigger!!! Next weigh in - pre-xmas......
Posted 6 months ago #
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