Garmin unexpected consequences.

So, my first biggish ride using my Garmin today, and I ended up bonking. 🤔

Prior to this, when riding somewhere new, I’ve tended to use my phone and outdoor active. This has meant plenty of stopping to check the map, have a drink, and eat a couple of Tangfastics/Tunnocks caramel etc. Today with my Garmin I just kept going. Now, whilst I did stop to eat and drink, obviously it wasn’t enough because about 25k and 800m of (mountain biking) elevation I bonked. Not terribly, I’ve been worse, but enough that the ride home was harder work than it needed to.

I’m really liking having navigation on my handlebars, but obviously some recalibration is needed.

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/edge530/EN-US/GUID-E5AEF3C5-2139-42FF-8E5E-069D09D1D80D.html

before opening @Rubber_Buccaneer link, I’m going to say its about setting drinking and eating alerts?

yeah was going to say, mine (530) reminded me to eat & drink by default, was quite annoying so turned it off 😂

Yeah, think I’m going to need to switch those on. 😣

nailed it

I have my watch set to beep every hour as a reminder to eat if I’m on a long (6h+) ride

I have an ‘Eat!’ alarm on my watch (instinct) every 45 mins during an activity. I don’t think it’s Garmin’s fault you forgot to eat OP.

Also worth noting temperatures were suddenly up a fair bit this weekend, I’ll admit I struggled yesterday evening after getting home (headaches and lethargy), only did 40 miles (road) but I don’t reckon I drank enough water over the whole weekend, including on my ride temperatures were 10+ deg up on last week…

Another thing that I find quite helpful is not to have any speed reading viewable. That way I am not subconsciously  challenging myself to go faster, I just like to have my heart rate displayed so I can make sure I don’t red line too frequently.

For 25k & 800m you did eat/drink beforehand didn’t you?

As really this should have got you through – that and a bottle + banana.

its interesting how different we all are.

For 25k and 800m i would have a bit of brekkie before setting out (assuming this is a morning ride), but wouldnt consume anything other than a bit of water. Whereas one riding buddy would probably eat 4 or 5 snack bars in that time, along with a bottle filled with High5 tabs or similar.

I would assume fitness and maybe age can effect how you need to fuel.

But as others have said, you can set up alerts on the Garmin, which can be useful. I also agree with only seeing certain data, i have heartrate and gear display, add to this mine is mounted on my top tube, it really takes away the distraction of it all.