General Cycling Discussion - The cycling death of Cyclist/publisher Edmund Burke, Md..

I received a bulletin from League of American Cyclists, that a famous Race Across American cyclist Edund Burke died of heart problems, while crossing a mountain chain in Colorado.. Anyone get more details of his death..? He was only 53.
My question- when out doing any kind of endurance sports, cycling or whatever; do you think you should consider your limits. Think we all have limits and might keel over of an aneurysm? None of us think our sport makes us infallible do we..? Do you know your limits? I like to think I am up to crossing the continent. No biggie... Some of us, must just take the easier way .

here is a previous thread :


http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17259

Like Edmund Burke, I'm in my early 50's...It definitely makes you think. In my next physical in January, I'm going to ask for that stress test I've never had.

One thing I've noticed in the past when I've been cycling in extremely hot conditions (i.e. 45 degrees C + ) is how difficult it is to control your heart-rate in those sort of conditions. Now I don't know how hot it gets in Colorado, but I think the message is still the same. Regardless of physical condition, age or anything else, the first priority in any endurance sport should always be listen to your body. If it is screaming at you that it can't take anymore, you need to be very careful.

Other than pain, etc. think for those of us who monitor our heart with a Heart rate monitor, there might be clues- or it just happens all of a sudden..?
The report did say it was a heart attack...I always wonder about an aneurysm.. I do get an annual EKG from work.. My doctor compares past records. Think I am getting better..?

If you wear a HRM, one clue to be aware of is recovery time. Does it take more than a couple of minutes for your heart rate to return to normal? Do you ever have a persistently elevated heart rate after intense exercise? These are indications to talk to your doctor.

From what I've read Burke had been
complaining about "indigestion" and heartburn
for about a week prior to his cardiac episode
(polite term for dying). He also had a family
history of cardiac illness. Given the history
one would think that the indigestion would have
set off some alarm bells, huh.

Marty

lotek,

You are right.. in fact, I think it was more than just indigestion... I think he was also even having pains in his left arm. From what I read, the symptoms were very obvious. Not to mention, he was a huge couch potato for many many years and had just recently gotten back into shape.

The advice someone gave earlier about listening to your body is so important. Most of us aren't riding for medals... we're just out there to have fun. :)

PBW

One thing I know from riding road too much, your in denial tons.. so hmm i hope i don't have those problems :(

Originally posted by Chris L
One thing I've noticed in the past when I've been cycling in extremely hot conditions (i.e. 45 degrees C + ) is how difficult it is to control your heart-rate in those sort of conditions.

here in the summer it gets pretty hot, (110-120 F) and riding in those conditions can be dangerous, I go through 1 water bottle (24 oz) for every 10 miles when it is hot, but when it is cold I only need 1 water bottle for every 30-40 miles...
you heart rate raises when you ride in warmer weather, but if you start to suffer from heat stroke (or exhaustion) you can black out, (not good on the bike :()... in any rate you need to know the warning signs when you body cannot take what you are trying to to do...

lol... I know that feeling... (about pushing yourself too far)

today I was just going to do a short ride, maybe 10 or 12 miles... or maybe an hour at the very most. I tried some new tights over my shorts and leg warmers on T-giving Day, and the darn string in the waist band broke so the tights kept slipping down a bit. Well, they ended up giving me a saddle sore because they tended to get bunched up...well... down there. lol. So I'm trying to heal but I thought a short ride wouldn't hurt.

So, I'm 10 miles from home and thinking I should turn around.. but no... 5 more miles... get 15 miles from home... turn around? nope... end up going 20 miles and I want to go further. But forced myself to turn around. Got in 40 miles, but I don't think I helped my saddle sore at all.

And not to mention, stopped to help another rider fix his saddle on the way back, and not 5 mins after we fix it and start riding, he totally drops me (not to mention I knew about some glass on the trail because I'd just passed it on the way out, so I told him about it, and right after we passed the glass he drops me). Then... not one minute after he's out of sight, I break a spoke... on flat terrain with no bumps or anything. Just my luck... Limp it home with a very slight wobble in the front wheel that I couldn't get rid of.

Ride thru the pain, :)

PBW