Fifty Plus (50+) - Louis' XOBA Report

I did not want to sidetrack Beverly's XOBA thread, so here's a brief report of my brief ride.

The first day was extremely brutal. Matter of fact it was also my last day. I rode the 71 miles with Bev and her Dayton Cycling Club mates. It was great to be riding with them again, but as the day wore on the heat and humidity was taking it's toll. After arriving at our Cincinnati camp and being barely able to erect my tent, even with help, I passed out in the parking lot. Fortunately a club mate of Bev's, who happens to be a physician, was nearby. He checked me over and decided it would be best to call 911 and get me to a hospital. I spent 3 hours in the emergency room getting re-hydrated. They ran a series of tests first to make sure nothing else was wrong, then started the IV. The diagnosis: heat exposure with dehydration.

I'm embarrassed. I am an experienced cyclist, I should have drank more.

I thought I WAS drinking enough, filling my bottles at every chance and pounding the water down, but nooooo.:(

I rode with the SAG the following day, hoping to recover enough to ride again on day three. Then after talking on the phone with my wife I found out she had made a trip to the hospital as well, to address an existing chronic medical problem that had flared up.

That was enough for me. I had my youngest son drive down to Wilberforce Central State University to pick me up.

It just wasn't my week.

Glad to see you're feeling better. The first day was one of the most brutal days I've ever experienced. It was just too hot and that last hill was a killer at the 69 mile mark. The day didn't start off well either with all the accidents and flats on the bridge near the start.

There were quite a few who experienced some dehydration and heat exhaustion that day. Several people were sagged in. Dr. R sent another rider to the hospital a couple days later from heat exhaustion.

Gee, Louis, you'd think a guy with your avatar would know how to drink.

Glad you are better now. Hope your wife is feeling better, as well.

I'm glad you made OK Louis, I'm having my problems with the heat down here as well. I thought I was drinking enough water, but I guess not. Anyway I picked up a Camelbak today on sale at Sun&Ski. I don't know if you have them near you, but it sounded like a pretty good idea to me. Take care and wish you well.

Louis ... sorry to hear things didn't go so well and sorry to have missed you on my trip the Akron/Canton area. But at least you have lived to faff another day.

Sorry to hear that, Louis. The heat helped ruin the day for me on Saturday, too. I usually do O.K. with it, but this time I had to get off of the bike and sit on a rock for a bit. I turned back, embarassed, and feeling like I let my friends down.

Louis, I'm so sorry. Hope you completely recover and that your wife will be much better again soon.

Glad you are doing alright and hope that your wife is doing better. In addition to hydration it is also a good idea to nibble while on the road. A good reminder for us all!

Thanks all, for the kind words, Maddy and I are both doing much better.

They say winter riding is tough, but I say NAY compared to heat and humidity. Once the body makes the smallest move towards dehydration or over-heating, you really can't recover unless you go sit in the shad with cold water immediately and for a long time.

I really don't think we, as humans, were meant to be out working so hard when it's so hot. Most cultures have traditionally stayed out of the most intense heat, and they didn't even have AC to make it harder to acclimatize. I'll bet in Egypt, they didn't even work the slaves in mid day because it would just kill them.

You just can't mess with the sun. It will take you out.

Wow, Louis, sounds like a tough trip for you. Sorry it wasn't up to your expectations. And I'm glad to see that you and your wife are both okay.

Hope your next ride is more satisfying.

If it can happen to an experienced rider like Louis- Then let it be a warning to the rest of us. I have ridden in 100* + temps but it was a long time ago. 90* is about the best we get over here but if you are not used to it- it is surprising how much it takes out of you.

Glad to see you recovered Louis- but take more water with it next time- A LOT MORE WATER.

I can't ride any distance when the heat and humidity are high. Luckily not a problem here in Seattle/Portland.

Glad you & wife are OK.

Sorry to read of your misfortunes. My hat's off to anyone who rides in heat and
high humidity...I get exhausted just breathing in those conditions.

Thank goodness you're both feeling better now.

Again, thanks for the well wishes, everyone.

Stapfam is right, dehydration can happen to any of us. It sneaked up on me and before I realized what was happening - my leg muscles began cramping. It was painful to either ride or walk. I managed to finish the ride, but barely.

Another thing...during the last 25 miles I felt neither thirsty or hungry.

Don't try this at home, girls and boys.

Wow, glad to hear you are better. I got a little dizzy after a hot ride last week myself. Thirty miles and I drank 60 ounces of gatorade, but stopped near the end because it was hot and tasted horrid. Thankfully the dizziness was all and it was only for a few seconds. I'm sure it was dehydration too. One thing that helps for me is something with a little extra potassium on days I ride. Tomatoes are best, potatoes are good, bananas come in third. I love V-8 so I have one religously a couple of hours ahead of the ride. Seems to help with the cramps.

Better luck next time my friend.

A good lesson for all of us.

Louis ... you silly old coot!

Don't forget to drink your water!!

Someone had to say it.

Glad you are OK now. Sorry you had to miss the rest of the ride. Riding in extreme heat is hard to prepare for if you aren't used to it. The amount of water you need to drink before, during and after a really hot ride seems to be too much by normal standards.