Just finished my second ride after moving here to Roseville, and I was expecting it to be hard, and believe me, it was, and I'm sure it will definitely continue to be hard for the coming weeks ahead.

My main concern for the time being, though, is that both times I've ridden whenever I come home I develop a headache that will last for a couple hours. Is this normal.... ? I guess I can attribute it to the elevation change?? (Compared to Merced, the elevation change on the rides is about double) Only other things I can think of is that I generally chug down both water bottles versus me only drinking 1-1.5 in Merced... that... and there's a ton of hills here in Roseville.

Granny gear ftw

How long have you been riding that much at that pace? If you starting out and getting headaches, you pushing yourself too hard, and dehydrating. If you get the headache after riding, have a drink of water, and lay down on flat surface and relax for 15 min. If you still get them after riding at a slower pace, see a doctor. And it might be a good idea to get reliable heart rate monitor and learn to use it.

Bike Ride... Headache...See Doctor Soon

https://www.cptips.com/hdache.htm

Great resource, but a little dated. I wouldn't take Advil preventatively, since there's new evidence that it can actually make exercise induced pain worse.

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/0...g-exercise/?em

Most likely the headaches are just a sign of adapting to more intense exercise, but do check it out with your doc if it persists.

Thanks for the advice guys, I am concluding that it's just me adjusting to new places and exerting myself too much. Time to go to the B group ...

I only get the post ride headache if it's very cold, or very hot. It gets hot here a lot.

I agree with Procione more water. actually like most of us you need to drink more water period. I always try and drink atleast the same amount of water or more for every caffene drink I have. 32oz coffe 32oz+ water. also riding a bit easier until you get aclimated may help.

Are you eating well before/during/after your ride?

Not really, I am still unpacking after taking a week in New York to go sightseeing after I moved from Merced. I figure it's just a matter of dehydration I suppose.

Google exercise induced headache or exertional headache. Anything more than about 1.5 hours, I get them. I take ibuprofen before long rides and it works for me per my Dr. Should should see your Dr it they persist.

I usually get them from dehydration.

Good rule of thumb is to take a sip every 15 min, if it's hot 10 min.

Sounds like dehydration. Try drinking more water.

Riding with the B group might be a good test to see if the headaches reappear. You might be too focused and putting all your efforts into hanging on with the A group and not drinking at all.

I rode with an A group this morning and hydration was the last thing on my mind.

Very few people drink as much water as they really should. And for athletes involved in water-loss prone activity this is doubly important.
Drink more fluids and eat nutritionally before your rides. If they still persist take a visit to your doctor, hopefully he/she'll know what to do.

FWIW, I used to get severe headaches, then determined it was closely related to intensity and my post ride recovery. Water intake during a ride didn't seem to influence the headaches much for me.

With respect to post-ride/race recovery, the general recommendation is within 30 minutes after a ride, ingest 1.5g of carbohydrates per kg of bodyweight along with this a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio of protein as well. There's a lot of products out that does this. I've tried several, but found that chocolate milk works best for me.

Like everyone has said..dehydration. I got hooked on hammer endurolytes and have never had the issue again. + drink h20 every 15m.

Hmm interesting OP. I kind of get them as well, but I always thought it was maybe related to my hair being pulled back in my helmet for X amount of hours.

I'll try drinking more water and popping an NSAID.

Thanks!