sandy_pangle

Today while attempting my first century, at about 2 miles from the end, I totally bonked out . It was right in the middle of the last hill in a series of long climbs. I had stopped and rested about a mile back and knew I was toast but after only another 1/2 mile of climbing I had to quit again. I could not see. It was like a very bright and hazy light was being shined into my face. I was light headed and thought I would pass out at any minute.
When I sat down in the shade I felt better but when I stood, everything whet from dark to really bright and I was so light headed I had to sit again. My riding partner finished the ride while I sat and waited and when he returned for me I had the same symptoms, only worse when I stood up. I couldn't even put my bike on the rack!!
We returned to the ride start (in a car ) and it was still 10 minutes before I could see well enough to drive. I was feeling much better when I got home so I showered and then for informational purposes took my blood pressure. It was 84/42 (not a misprint). I have quality equipment and checked it 4 times over the last hour. Does anybody have an idea what may have happened? I am confused.

johnny99

Could be bonk or dehydration. How much did you eat and drink during the ride? What was the high temperature that day? What kind of training did you do in the month before the ride?

puddin' legs

Lack of nutrition... It's an awful feeling, eh? We've probably all felt your pain at least once. If some haven't, they will at some point.

sandy_pangle

It was today. I ate well before the ride and stopped at all 3 SAGS on the way for Power-Aid. The temp was 90 when I got done (literally). I probably consumed about 60 ounces of liquid on a 60 mile ride.

puddin' legs

what was your longest ride preceding your century? Was this a 100m century, or a metric one? 3 sag stops in 60miles seems like a whole lot of stopping for anything more than a very light snack.

sandy_pangle

It was metric and my longest ride had been 40 miles. I made it 60.3 when I choked.

puddin' legs

Fever like symptoms? Did you feel cold and clammy? Sweat profusely, or stop sweating? drink water and want to vomit it up even in the heat?

sandy_pangle

Nope, It was just dizzyness and vision loss. I am on blood pressure medication and I think I may have de-hydrated a bit. My BP is just now back up to 100/61 and I've been off the bike for 4 hours.

puddin' legs

hmmmm. Call your doc, Sandy. Your hunch is probably correct. Scary stuff, huh?

Bibi

Definitely call the doctor. My mom was hospitalized after over-hydrating herself on a hot day while on BP meds. Have a long talk about what to do w/your physician when you have an experience like you had, not just how to avoid it. You'll do the metric the next time you try, no doubt. Don't despair! And let us know what the doc says...

MisterJ

The vision problems sound like hypoglicemia. Did you eat anything on the ride?

LJ1

I had the vision thing as well. Bonked at hour 6 1/2 of a 7 hour ride round Lake Como last year. It was more a lack of nutrition thing though. I had no peripheral vision, felt really dizy and just could not turn the pedals. Stopped off a local bar and had a diet coke and two chocolate bars and within 10 minutes it was like somebody had turned the lights back on. Wierd! Never gone to empty before and dont want to again. Always make sure I am now stocked with energy gels etc......

cheg

Eat and drink more. If you are lightheaded you are out of fuel. Gels work for me if I forget to eat more solid food and start to feel weak.

If you did eat, check with a doctor.

Enthalpic

While bonking you have diet coke? The Cals are what you need silly.

DannoXYZ 

Yeah huh? I want to get my hands on a case of those 1/2-size Cokes they get on the Tour, it's so cute! Well, perfect for making Long Island Ice Teas too as I don't have to open a full can and use only 1/2.

"It was today. I ate well before the ride and stopped at all 3 SAGS on the way for Power-Aid. The temp was 90 when I got done (literally). I probably consumed about 60 ounces of liquid on a 60 mile ride."

Water sounds OK, but for 90-degreesF, you might have used another 20oz bottle. Most likely it's lack of carbs that did you in. Try for about 200-250 calories/hour, so you should've eaten a full dinner of pasta with extra sauce on that ride. I know it's hard to think about eating on a ride, just carry a lot of energy bars and just time it so you eat one every 30-minutes.

LJ1

Its all they had Had to wash the chocolate bars down with something

Crayon

Sandy,

I myself have high blood pressure and take meds for it.

I can tell you this...
BP medicine, aka ACE inhibitor, and dehydration will result in severe hypotension, e.g. extremely low BP. Drink more liquids and consume some salt. Get to a doctor ASAP if your BP hasn't gotten back to normal.

100/61 still seems hypotensive. What was you're normal BP before you developed hypertension? I always ran 120/80, so that's what I try to regulate it to. What med are you taking?

sandy_pangle

I was around 120/80 before but then I eased up to 148/90 (while I was still a couch potato). At that time they placed me on Avalide. It has a diuretic. Since I started biking my pressure started going low (105/65) from the 130/80 when I was on Avalide and not exersizing. They changed me to Avapro and I have been great on it since. I think my problem came from two factors: 1- I am type II Diabetic, and 2- I drank 16 ounces of water, and 16 ounces of Gatoraide while in the saddle for nearly 4 hours in 88 degree and highly humid conditions. I plan on speaking with my doctor to find out how to avoid this in the future..... I can't give up my biking!!!! I just checked my BP and it is 130/81 but I have drank profusely and pee'd little today. I am sure it was caused by lack of water since I have had cramps(which I never have) and my urine is too dark. Gotta think smart!!!!

Crayon

Ok, you just have to consume more water. I hate the things, but maybe you should invest in a camelback.

sandy_pangle

That's where I was really stupid.... It was a well sagged event....4 SAGS in 62 miles and I figured I'd leave the nice 70 ounce Camelback at home because of the heat and the number of stops. Yeah I know it was dumb

jaster1mereel

I have not read anywhere of what you ate? Sorry if it has been covered but that is far too long to ride for liquid alone....gels, bananas and power bars are your friend on rides over 2 hours. I have never bonked as bad as you (very scary!!!) but I have bonked before and I can tell you for a fact that it was due to not eating enough.

basso91

My condition of NCS, see General Cycling Forum, included similiar symptoms. I had a tilt table test done to determine my condition.

Crayon

Err, uhm...He didn't bonk, his BP crashed.

This was due to his usage of an angiotensin control enzyme (ACE hormone) inhibitor, e.g. BP medicine, combined with dehydration from sweating. This is a common, albeit dangerous, side effect of ACE inhibitors. If you're taking BP medicine and exercising, hydration maintenance is über-critical.

Ironically, the same thing happened to me while mowing grass, just not to the degree Sandy experienced. Stupid grass...

sunninho

Yeah, light headedness and seeing white are definitely signs of dehydration. Those final hills of the century were after the last SAG, I figure.

puddin' legs

Guys, sandy should see a doctor. Crayon is right. What Sandy described with very low vitals is a different creature than a simple bonk episode.