Cycling

Exercise
1

I am riding Ragbrai, a 433-mile bike ride across Iowa, at the end of July and am looking for any advice that anyone may have on managing my sugars during the ride. I have an insulin pump and cgms. I will be riding approx. 60-70miles each day. I have been lowering my basal rate, drinking gatorade and eating protein bars during my practice rides, but want to make sure that I'm not missing something.

 

2

Sounds like fun!  I've never done long rides stretched over days like this one.  I've only ever done a century in one day.

 I wonder if there is anything out on the Team Type 1 website about how they train?  I've met a couple of those cyclists and the two I talked to both said that their insulin needs on day 1 & 2 were different than what they needed after that.  (Of course, now I can't remember if they needed more or less... I think more?).    

At least you have the CGM, that makes all the difference for me when I'm riding.  

3

Thanks Katie, good suggestion.

More, huh? That seems weird, but I've never done this before, so I don't know. 

A century in one day. That's sounds intense. Good for you! Maybe we will try that sometime if all goes well in July.

I agree, I love the CGM for this type of exercise. It's great.

4

I don't have any advice, but it definitely would be interesting to talk to someone on Team Type 1.  

When I cycle, my main issue is just being able to identify lows.  I just got back from a ride where I felt off, but I thought it was because I was high.  I started to feel too fatigued so I came home, tested (I guess I should carry my glucose monitor on me...) and I was at 50.  Wayyyyy off from what i though it would be.  I'm doing a metric century on the 4th of July and I know with the heat it'll be impossible for me to identify lows.  Guess I'll just be checking  A LOT.

 

Diabetes sucks.

5

skittles they dont melt and are small theyr perfect for raising bg and taste amazing at the same time plus theyr quick and u no exactly how many carbs your getting

6

Sounds like you know what your doing. If you aren't already I'd reduce boluses by around 50% if there within a few hours of a ride 

7

Thanks for all the advice! I finished the ride and it was so rewarding! My sugars remained steady with the exception of overnight. I got a lot of lows, so I had to lower my overnight basal.