gholt

I was wondering if anyone has experience in giving blood and then riding home. I have about 18-19 miles to go home. about 1/2 of it is a slight uphill. The rest is flat.

Thanks.

pinkpowa

If it was me, I'd put $20 on me passing out. Maybe if I put it in a really low gear and took my sweet time, but it'd scare me to try it.

riddei

Red Cross Q & A

propagandrew

I only have 5 miles to get home, but it's never been a problem. I've never really been able to tell if I actually get more tired or it's all in my head. Unless you're pushing it as hard as you can, I suspect it will be no problem at all.

BCRider

I sure wouldn't. But then the two times I tried to give blood my pressure is low enough that I got dizzy half way through the pint. The Red Cross nurse told me to talk to my doc before trying again. The doc told me I needed all I've got. So much for trying to help out.

Itsjustb

Have you given blood before? If so, how much did it affect you?

Discliamer: I am not a doctor and I do not work with a blood donation center.

I donate every 8 weeks and like propagandrew I have a 5 mile ride home. I've never had a problem doing it although I do donate in the morning and ride home 6 hours later. However, as you can see from the responses here, some people are knocked flat by donating while others are able to do it and have no problems. If you're in the former category it's a really bad idea. If you haven't given blood before and don't know what effect it will have on you, maybe try giving blood w/o also riding home just to see how much it bothers you.

gholt

I've given blood in the past and it has always been one mile from home, on my ride home. I haven't attempted this yet. I think if I donate at 12:30. It might be through my system enough to ride home at 5:30. Thanks for all the advice.

wolfanddeer

I, too, donate every 8 weeks. I've already planned to do my next donation on one of my motorcycling days. I personally get wiped out after donating. I only commute a little over 5 mi. each way and couldn't imagine doing that after donating. That being said, I think you have to do what makes you comfortable. 18 miles...maybe you can ride home that day in lower gears and try not to exert yourself. I wouldn't do it though.

Aquajag

Almost a 20 gal. donor myself, though it's been a few years since I have donated. I was donating platelets every two weeks for about two years straight and whole blood every 8 weeks before that. While I never had any problems with it, I wouldn't advise it. There is a reason they recommend 24 hours before doing any strenuous exercise. I am sure the 24 hours are a bit of a buffer, most would probably be fine for a light ride after several hours. Not sure I would recommend the 18 miles you ask of.

caloso

Whole blood? I wouldn't do it. I'd probably bonk and ride right into a tree (if I was lucky). And this is precisely the reason I became a regular platelet donor (10 gallons and counting!).

ChipSeal

It will be no problem at all!

I have given blood many a time and bicycled home about six miles. You will just be a little more winded and travel slower. The medical personnel were always sure I would pass out and die on the way home, but they are not very familiar with fit people.

Wait 20 minutes or so and load up on liquids.

Thanks for donating!

bike2math

Basically fine if you have donated before. However if this is you first time, I'd find AT. Beware, you are in danger of being dehydrated quicker, and of being severely hungry. When I do it I make sure I have twice as much water, and I eat substantially more than I do during a normal day. I also donate in the early morning so I have as long as possible to recover. Also don't plan on going anywhere near as fast, or making yourself do so.

Twice now I have passed out during the donation, but I was still able to make the 10 mile ride home 9 hours later. The first time this happened I was messed up, foggy head and really sleepy, for about 24 hours...

Good luck and keep donating, it's important!

thdave

I once played softball after donating and nearly passed out. No way would I ride 18 miles.

bikeCarrot

After I give blood I have always felt fine. One day I decided I could fit in some exercise since I felt good. A few minuted into a jog I was feelin' it. I would not suggest an 18 mile ride. Feeling fine during normal activity does not mean it is safe to exercise.

KirkeIsWaiting

I'm a frequent donor as well.
I don't seem to have any problems riding or working out.

DO keep yourself well hydrated PRIOR to donating.
For me and my small veins and loads of scare tissue, it makes it easier for the phlibotomist to take my blood.

And cheers! good for all of you that donate!

climbhoser

Everybody is different. It's up to you, ultimately, to know yourself and know what you can do.

savethekudzu

I've done this, donating at lunchtime and riding home after 5, but with an easy 6-mile MUP commute.
I also made a point of loading up on ridiculous amounts of food and drink between the time of the donation and the time of my commute.

Took it easier on the way home. I'm not sure I'd want to do 18 miles without having a Plan B.

Quickbeam

I've done it and I've got a 13 mile (each way) commute. In fact, I gave blood (1 unit whole blood donation), went and had two beers with my boss after work and then rode home. I didn't notice any ill effects. I think giving blood affects different people in different ways but I never feel any change at all when I give blood. Lately I've been doing the ALYX donations where they take two units of red blood cells out and pump the plasma back in. Still don't notice any light-headedness or anything. I think all of the precautions they tell you to take after you donate are primarily CYA.

Sawtooth

I have done it multiple times with a 14 mile ride home. I just take it easy. NO HAMMERING!!!!!!!!!

gholt

Well, I donated at 11:30. And, the Red Cross was a butcher today. She got a little extra hole that bled into my arm, so it is pretty sore. It should't affect the ride at 6pm tonight, I have been loading up on liquids to make sure I do not dehydrate or bonk. I also have quite a few snacks.

I will probably just take it easy tonight on the way home, especiall on the hills.

Thanks for all the advice. I will let you know if I survive.

gharding

I've done it just fine. The ride was a little more tiring, but that may have just been a mental thing. Just make sure to drink during the day. The NY Blood Center people didn't recommend I bike, but I can do without one measly pint of blood!! Plus, like hell am I leaving my bike locked up overnight in the bike graveyard next to my office.

Lebowski

one time i had a few vials of blood taken for tests and i almost passed out. my vision got blurry and my knees gave out. but then again at the time i was around 110 pounds. i know i couldnt do it.

Dr.PooLittle

Donating blood never really affects me. I've skipped lunch, donated blood, done several hours of hard labor, then rode 7.5 miles home and only found myself a little light on breath. Probably a bonehead move, though.

paulwwalters

Donate blood, that way when you need some after collapsing/ getting run over on the way home it will be there!

Richard_Rides

Unless someone is riding in Zone 5 at VO2 MAX after donating blood, any ill effects would be strictly psychological. HTFU.