Cycling after giving blood

[Becs]

How long do people reckon you should leave between giving blood and going out a club run style ride? I'm pretty sure I'll be fine to pootle to work the next day but I'd hate to get out on a longer faster ride and get into trouble halfway round. I know everyone's different but if anyone could give me a rough idea that would be great

 

[palinurus]

Depends on how tough your club rides are, but I'd happily do a club ride a day or two after. I have done a time trial within a few days (no trouble, but I went slower than usual- it takes me about three weeks to get back to normal). It doesn't seem to affect my endurance much so I'd be comfortable doing a long ride shortly after but not a fast one. Or racing. Of course I only know this because I've tried it, I've no idea whether it's good advice.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I used to think it wouldn't be a problem, but in 2008 I did one of Rogerzilla's Oxford to London night rides a couple of days after giving blood, and suffered badly on the hills. I felt extremely faint at times. And I don't usually have a problem with hills.

Although the body makes up the fluid level within a few hours, it can take up to a month to replace all the lost red blood cells. Bearing in mind you've kindly donated around 15% of those cells, I wouldn't expect a fast club run to be a good idea until at least a week or two later.

 

[palinurus]

I used to think it wouldn't be a problem, but in 2008 I did one of Rogerzilla's Oxford to London night rides a couple of days after giving blood, and suffered badly on the hills. I felt extremely faint at times. And I don't usually have a problem with hills.

Was that the ride that went up Smalldene lane? I feel faint just thinking about that one.

 

[welshdragon]

For any big rides I would take at least a good few days off and then have a warm up ride to see how you feel. I had a real awful experience cycling 80 miles 3 days after giving blood. We were going at a good pace just got light headed and struggled after a hill after about 30 miles, the next 50 I was in big trouble and struggled home, the next day I felt as if I had been on a 3 day drinking session( wish that I had ). I have learned my lesson and after giving blood I take it easy for a week and build up my rides, both distance and pace over the next week and a half. Everyone is different though but listen to your body and if your not feeling the best take it easy

 

[3narf]

I once got bedridden with flu after giving blood. Fair enough, I must have been about to go down with it, but maybe I'd have fought it off (I was quite fit & healthy at the time).

I was only cycling 5 miles or so to work (I gave blood at work) but the return journey was horrible. I just crawled into bed shivering when I got home & stayed there. I've never known an ilness to come on so suddenly.

 

[Globalti]

It was the same the only time I ever had 'flu, it came on around midday and I started feeling rotten in an hour or two. Just made it home to bed, collapsed into bed and lay sweating then shivering for about four days. I've never felt so ill in my life.