In the last couple of months I seem to get a headache every time I ride. I have been riding more often but shorter rides, 2 hours or so. After about an hour I develop a sharp headache mainly in the forehead which takes 4-5 hours to go once I'm home.
I tried replacing helmet pads, drinking more before and during the ride but no change.
Any theories?
Try a different helmet ?
I borrowed one the other day and after an hour and headache remembered the last time I borrowed that helmet.
Are you eating enough?
Helmet as above.
Or try those electrolyte tabs. I found they worked for me when I was riding a lot more.
drinking more before and during the ride
if you are drinking just water it could be hyponatremia ie diluting your blood / washing out all the salt
perversely it could also be too much sodium if you are drinking a lot of electrolytes
Very interested in this as I have started experiencing the same. My fluid method has always been 2 bottles of water, but recently started using high5 tablets in one bottle, water in the other. I must confess I use 2 tabs in a 750ml bottle which is technically more than the instructions say, but tastes nicer. Now wondering if this might be the difference. Time to experiment.
Some interesting points. I only drink water but will try some electrolytes. I have had the helmet a while so have ordered a different one to compare but I am beginning to think I am still not drinking enough.I get through nowhere near 2 bottles of water on a ride.
Ive also found I drink far less when it's cold which I'm sure wont be doing me any good either.
I used to get horrendous headaches after riding, one of my mates recommended having squash as well as water and it massively helped. Something to do with the salts I think
I get through nowhere near 2 bottles of water on a ride.
Outside of mid summer I don't even get through 1 waterbottle on a 50km-70km ride.
I've carried 2 several times and after finishing the ride still not even emptied the first one.
I used to get this.add a teaspoon of salt to a drink such as orange squash for after or during the ride.cured mine.might be able to go a bit higher with the salt content too.could also be cold air going into your ears I think.get a helmet skull cap that covers your ears.make sure helmet is well adjusted without pressure points too.if your driving after a ride put a beanie on.
I've found the recovery shakes to be quite good, though it is best using water than milk as I was told milk lines the gut, and doesn't have the same intake.
But water or electrolyte's aside, and continual headache should be mentioned to your doctor,for the sake of prudence.
Use 2 teaspoons of salt for a water bottle size to start and adjust this depending how you feel.it gets sweated out do don't worry about health concerns
if you are drinking just water it could be hyponatremia ie diluting your blood / washing out all the salt
I had this when first using a camelbak- it’s easily to hand so drank more. Got headaches so thought I was dehydrated and drank more etc. Big difference when I cut down.
Outside of mid summer I don’t even get through 1 waterbottle on a 50km-70km ride.
Same here, did 110 km this morning, didn't touch my water bottle once. Did drink a pint (of water) once I got in as probably a bit dehydrated...
James Morton of SIS answered a very similar question during a recent Cycling Podcast Q&A. He suggested that it is possible that you're not eating enough after the ride.
From what I've read, electrolytes are not necessarily going to make much or any difference to muscle cramp or a post-ride headache.
Posture, body position, tension, activities outside of cycling where soft tissue is effected - these can also play a role.
Other than that nutrition and fluids.
Beyond that go for an MOT at the doctors.
Use 2 teaspoons of salt for a water bottle size to start and adjust this depending how you feel.it gets sweated out do don’t worry about health concerns
That is far far too much salt. that will raise your BP causing headaches. it will make you more thirsty to dilute it. 5g of salt per lire of water is similar osmolarity to your blood.
You might as well drink seawater!
My experience of this was. Not enough sleep and bad diet/and over doing alcohol.
When being good,cramps and headache just don’t happen.
I’ve had the same and only got rid of it by drinking more - before, during and after. Easy to not drink enough after finishing.
Tension? Is your back or are your shoulders and neck very tight after a ride. Try some exercises and stretches to loosen off.
Glasses? They're not too tight? Other than that try some of the things already mentioned.
Don’t overload on the salt. Apart from health concerns it will be so rank you won’t drink it.
Check your riding position. Had similar abs raised my bars a tad and it solved it. Was getting tension from my neck and back
Had the same for years, I have put it down to sinus and irregular sleep patterns.
Thanks for all the helpful comments.
I am really trying to think what has changed in my riding to narrow down causes. Same helmet , same bike, same riding gear.
Two hour rides every other day rather than 4 hours once , twice a week. Not conclusive but I am very stiff on a bike so probably need to relax more and I will definitely try some of the above ideas.
Stop eating Cornetto’s mid ride?