Originally Posted by woodcycl
Yeah, I think the term "bonk" is being used much more casually than it is mean to many folks. I think what many folks are referring to when they say bonk is just exhaustion, loss of energy and stamina, heat exhaustion, some dehydration, ... and plain just over-doing it whether it be distance, prolonged speed, lack of hydration or food, etc.
I have on many occasions felt what I call "Lost It" or I say "I'm gone". This is what I say when any of the above conditions are met. I've only truly bonked once in the early to mid 90's and it was not a pretty site. I felt sick and very odd for atleast 10 days to 2 weeks. And, even when I did get back on the bike, something was just not right for another week or two.
Exactly. Many say they have bonked because it is a cycling term and seems cool to refer to when in fact they didn't. When you have done it, you'll know it and will not likely ever forget that you did and you will most likely prepare accordingly. A bonk is like a car that is running on fumes and about to stop. The difference is, you can put the gas back in the car and it will run as if nothing happened. You can't just put the fuel back in the human body and expect it to start functioning as it did without ample recovery.