New Clyde Riding!
 

Hey everyone! I just got back from a nice little ride with my wife. I had a bit of a problem after climbing the second big (for me) hill. There is a little route near home that circles around our local university football stadium. We climbed the first hill and it was pretty hard for me so we stopped at the top and took a break. After getting my wind back a little we decided to go back down the hill and climb back out the other side. At the top of the second hill I stopped and we took another break.

I was feeling pretty bad and really thought I'd lose my lunch! My vision was getting wonky and I felt really light-headed. We rested a little more and decided that I needed a soda to get some sugar energy to make me feel better. That worked a treat! There's a McDonalds near the top of the climb and after a drinking the soda we rode home. I was tired but felt fine otherwise.

On our ride over to the stadium we had stopped for lunch and I had water with my food. I think that I need to carry some Gatorade or Sport Beans with me the next time we do that ride.

Oh yeah, I'm 6'3" and weigh 274 lbs. I'm a beginner and my bike is a Surly Steamroller single speed. Anyway just wanted to report in and say hello. Cheers!

( My vision was getting wonky ) That is one sign of Low blood sugar.

When I first started riding I was surprised how much better I felt and how much further I rode when I ate correctly. I am not much for Gatoraid, it makes my mouth all sticky and slimy.

Welcome aboard.:thumb:

welcome

I think u will have your hands full for a while being a beginner with an SS bike but as long as you are having fun it's all that matters

Blood sugar is a concern as mentioned. Have you had it checked out? Do you have existing issues with diabetes? Also, cardiac. Have you been checked out? Thoroughly? Depending on how high your heart rate was, it may not have been able to pump enough oxygenated blood to the brain causing the feelings you described. Don't want to scare you or discourage you in any way. But be safe. Don't know how old you are or family history, but that can all play a part. Just pay attention to your body. And it's great you stopped when you needed to.

And if you smoke, please stop now!

Thanks SouthernGirl! I think the biggest problem I have is lack of fitness and biting off more than I could chew doing those climbs. Also I didn't eat well prior to riding.

I went back out today and avoided those climbs, ate a good meal prior to leaving and felt great. I'm 43 years old, 275 lbs and don't have much medical stuff in my family (thankfully). I 'm gonna watch my calorie intake prior to riding and make sure that food was the biggest factor for me that day. Oh and I don't smoke!

So glad you had a better ride today and it does seem to be calorie related. LOL Wish I could avoid a couple of the hills near me! I'm jealous.

And yea! you for not smoking :D

Wondering why you went with a single speed?:D

Ya know, some people pay good money to get wonky vision. :)

It does sound like you were low on fuel, and maybe bit of a bit more than you could chew with the hills. Your single speed will turn you into a beast with enough riding, but the upfront dues can be pretty steep.

It was, in part, because I watched the guys at the bike shop spend thousands and thousands on bikes and gear and while that's great for them, I wanted something simpler. There was a used SteamRoller for sale that was close enough to my size to get an idea of how it felt so I gave it a try. I dug it immediately. That evening I began shopping and two weeks later my bike arrived.

"Upfront dues" - That's exactly how it feels. I feel like I'm paying my dues.

Great answer, thanks!;)

From one new BFer (boy, that sounds kind of obscene, doesn't it? LOL) to another...Welcome.

Love the quote in your sig line. :thumb:

I've gotten the same way during exercise. I think it has a lot to do with lack of oxygen as another poster said. MAke sure to watch your breathing. On hills it is easy to focus too much on the climb and unknowingly start to hyperventilate. You tighten your trunk to put more effort into pushing with your legs and breathing can get very shallow. Be careful with the SS, you don't have the option to take a break and spin for a while, so it is important to monitor yourself the whole way up.