Any diabetic cyclists out there?

[Andy Hale]

Hi everyone. I have had the diagnosis today that I am Type 2 and have been put on Metformin. I am a keen (fair weather) cyclist and I have a charity ride in two weeks. With this new diagnosis, has anyone got any tips regarding cycling and maintaining energy levels safely whilst riding? Thank in anticipation!

 

[Drummer]

If you are going to use low carb to control your diabetes then you might be feeling a bit iffy after just two weeks, some people take a little while to adapt fully.
You might find that the Metformin makes it rather problematic to leave the house for any extended period of time - I had to give up on them as they were making my life a misery.
Not everyone has problems though, and you might have got into your stride with low carbing and have found extra depths of stamina from fat burning.

 

[stephen775]

Use creatine monohydrate and bcaa's(they will also improve insulin sensitivity), as you cycle you sweat and sweat is water and electrolytes so either electrolyte tablets or put some in your water, carb loading is not recommended for diabetics but have some form of carbs the night before and during your cycle.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Good to have you here @Andy Hale

A member we’ve not seen so much recently @Matt Cycle posted a long thread here

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/cycling.55014/

A T1, but some ideas may apply?

I think @Chris Hobson used to do some cycling too?

 

[Andy Hale]

Use creatine monohydrate and bcaa's(they will also improve insulin sensitivity), as you cycle you sweat and sweat is water and electrolytes so either electrolyte tablets or put some in your water, carb loading is not recommended for diabetics but have some form of carbs the night before and during your cycle.

That's really helpful advice, thanks @stephen775

 

[Andy Hale]

Good to have you here @Andy Hale

A member we’ve not seen so much recently @Matt Cycle posted a long thread here

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/cycling.55014/

A T1, but some ideas may apply?

I think @Chris Hobson used to do some cycling too?

I shall have a good read of that, thankyou so much! 🙂

 

[Andy Hale]

If you are going to use low carb to control your diabetes then you might be feeling a bit iffy after just two weeks, some people take a little while to adapt fully.
You might find that the Metformin makes it rather problematic to leave the house for any extended period of time - I had to give up on them as they were making my life a misery.
Not everyone has problems though, and you might have got into your stride with low carbing and have found extra depths of stamina from fat burning.

So far, so good on the Metformin! I shall see how I go , energy wise and maybe leave it until later events. Thanks for your helpful advice.

 

[Grldtnr]

I am a T2, also I am a or was s keen fair weather cyclist, it's not affected me in any significant way, but as many of us are affected differently by this condition.
I think what's most important to cycling distances is to eat ,drink often, as you would anyway to keep energy levels up,this is more important than normally would be the case, depends if you are affected by what us cyclist term as The 'Bonk' ,'Knock' , 'packet', in other words low Blood sugars , I only once suffered from that during my serious cycling days, but being Diabectic is something to be wary off, not that T2's suffer from this very much, more a problem for T1.
Metformin has affected me to some degree, I don't tackle long rides as I used to, some days I do have classic Metfarting belly, I feel under par for cycling, I have cut back on Carbs, a lot , but will eat some if I know I am going to be excercising or use a lot of energy,so I think carb loading isn't such an issue if you are going to be very active.
Of course ,as always seek medical advice, but in the end you know yourself better than others, it's a new journey for you, you need to explore your boundaries.