Lightheadedness on days I ride
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 24
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From: New Jersey
Bikes: Specialized Sequoei and Specialized Crosstrail
Lightheadedness on days I ride
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On days I ride my bike I get lightheaded during the rest of the day when I go to stand up. I rode hard all summer in New Jersey and did not have this problem. It seems to have started after the whether got cooler.
Does anyone else have this problem?
On days I ride my bike I get lightheaded during the rest of the day when I go to stand up. I rode hard all summer in New Jersey and did not have this problem. It seems to have started after the whether got cooler.
Does anyone else have this problem?
#2
SoCal Commuter

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 592
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From: Agua Dulce, CA
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck single/9 speed convertible, Novara Buzz beater
I don't know how long you've been riding, but cycling on a regular basis should have you feeling better - not worse. And I don't know just how fast you jump up, but if you're really feeling dizzy whenever you stand I'd consider a check-up before you continue riding - especially if this happens exclusively on days when you ride. DanO
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 173
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Yeah, I get that very frequently myself. Stand up, get dizzy, can't see, wait 5 seconds, fine. I've not closely monitored which days it happens and which it doesnt, but I ride nearly every day so I wouldn't much matter.
One obvious answer would be to make sure you're drinking enough water. Other than that, I'm in the same boat.
One obvious answer would be to make sure you're drinking enough water. Other than that, I'm in the same boat.
#7
Your blood pressure will naturally drop after a hard ride, because during hard exercise you stretch your blood vessels.
You might check your blood pressure after riding. Low blood pressure will cause dizziness when standing.
Those of us on BP meds, particularly Beta Blockers, frequently have dizziness when we stand - it is even discussed in the drug literature as one of the side effects of the drug.
I know my BP drops about 15 points after a hard ride, because I check it frequently.
You might check your blood pressure after riding. Low blood pressure will cause dizziness when standing.
Those of us on BP meds, particularly Beta Blockers, frequently have dizziness when we stand - it is even discussed in the drug literature as one of the side effects of the drug.
I know my BP drops about 15 points after a hard ride, because I check it frequently.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 11-06-04 at 07:49 AM.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 169
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From: NorCal
Bikes: Trek 5.2, Rocky mountain Hammer, K2 Cruiser
Good points above. One other area to consider is your neck. Riding places stress on nerves in our neck, it can cause the dizzyness you are experiencing. My wife is a physical therapist and has given me a few stretches (chin tucks, rotations) to do before and after rides. Along with ensuring I drink enough, my problem with dizzyness has gone away.
By all means though if this is a consistent problem - see a doctor to be sure.
By all means though if this is a consistent problem - see a doctor to be sure.
#9
Castiron Perineum
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Taking a tip from Siu Blue Wind, I too am typing a lengthy passage of text down here to demonstrate the enormous amount of space available should one wish to use it-- in sharp contrast to the avatar text above this part.
Bikes: '06 Salsa Campeon, '84 Cannondale R1000, 80's Nishiki Ariel
I too had extreme lightheadedness when I first started riding again. I attribute it to several things:
First and foremost, lack of aerobic fitness means that blood in the legs is slow to circulate back to the heart-- indeed, what bodybuilders call 'the pump' means that an awful lot of blood volume is temporarily in the legs after a good ride. Staying fully hydrated, spinning for a respectable distance towards the end of your ride (the 'cool down'), and stretching afterwards will certainly help with recuperation.
Next, a drop in one's resting heart rate as one becomes more fit can certainly be a factor...
and last, if one trains a lot in the anaerobic phase, or above one's lactate threshold, you're highly likely to bind a lot of blood volume in your legs as the muscles recuperate.
Dave
First and foremost, lack of aerobic fitness means that blood in the legs is slow to circulate back to the heart-- indeed, what bodybuilders call 'the pump' means that an awful lot of blood volume is temporarily in the legs after a good ride. Staying fully hydrated, spinning for a respectable distance towards the end of your ride (the 'cool down'), and stretching afterwards will certainly help with recuperation.
Next, a drop in one's resting heart rate as one becomes more fit can certainly be a factor...
and last, if one trains a lot in the anaerobic phase, or above one's lactate threshold, you're highly likely to bind a lot of blood volume in your legs as the muscles recuperate.
Dave




