Nausea on longer rides

[Janeyb]

Hello all.....just wonderd if anyone can help shed some light on a little problem I have.

I regularly ride 20-30 miles a couple of times a week and as I've now recovered from knee injury, I'm trying to up the mileage occasionally. I did my first 50 back in June which was a sponsored ride. It went ok but I felt really sick afterwards. I thought it was a one off but it happened again yesterday. I seem ok up to mid 40's but then much over that and I feel really sick. I'm fine during the ride, although never feel particularly hungry when riding so have to force myself to take on some nutrition if I feel it's needed. It literally kicks in about an hour after I've finished.

Yesterday I had a good breakfast of porridge with berries, drank 2 full 750 ml bidons on the bike and another one with an electrolytre mixture. Also had a stop for a fizzy drink at about 25 miles and had half a sandwich and half a bit of banana cake. I started to feel a little tired with around 10 miles to go so also had a gel. I've been using the same gels and electrolyte drinks for months with no ill effect.

Anyone else experienced this? I guess yesterday could be down to the heat but other times it has happened, it's been cool. Can't think of how to deal with it.

Thanks

J

 

[VamP]

Could me a number of things. I would suggest getting a health check-up including bloodwork, to eliminate underlying health issues.

No one can give you a responsible suggestion on what is causing this over an internet forum.

 

[snorri]

You don't say what sort of speeds you are trying to attain, perhaps you put more effort into your cycling than I do, but I have never felt like using electrolyte drinks and gels for a 50 mile run, also fizzy drinks tend to be a no no when doing any sort of physical activity. One and a half litres of liquid plus a fizzy drink sounds like a lot of fluid for 25 miles.

 

[screenman]

Makes me feel sick just thinking about all that food and extra's. I did a 50 yesterday and took 2 bottles, one with squash and one plain water.

 

[lulubel]

I did nearly 50 a couple of weeks back (a 25% increase on my longest ride up to that point, so not a drastic increase in distance), and felt quite nauseous afterwards. It came on about an hour after I got back, and it was enough that I didn't fancy eating. I forced myself to eat lunch, which was soup and a huge bread roll, so plenty of carbs, and had a yoghurt afterwards for some protein, and felt considerably better afterwards. A cup of coffee and a big choc chip cookie another hour later made me feel loads better

I only ate a couple of cereal bars during the ride (at about 100 calories each) and drank my usual electrolyte drink because it was very hot.

For me, I put it down to a bit more exertion than my body wanted to do. I'm prone to nausea (and even being sick) after long/hard runs, so I figure that can translate onto the bike as well. It doesn't bother me hugely, but if it did, or if I got to the point where I found it hard to keep any food down after exercise, I'd definitely go to the doctor.

So, if you're worried, go and see your doctor. If there is something wrong, it will give you the chance to do something about it, and if there isn't, it will set your mind at rest.

 

[Janeyb]

Makes me feel sick just thinking about all that food and extra's. I did a 50 yesterday and took 2 bottles, one with squash and one plain water.

Sorry but you think a bowl of porridge and half a sandwich and half a bit of fruit cake is lots of food for a day out on the bike. That must be where I'm going wrong. Ok I had the electroyte drrink and a gel too but still didn't think that was a huge amount for a day.

 

[ttcycle]

I'd second the comment about getting a check out through your GP- get your bloods done, if they come back normal then we can address stuff here- it wouldn't be wise to pontificate if there are underlying health issues.

As for how much you eat- we're all different - I know I'm a gobbler with a generally fast metabolism so it varies for each individual

 

[Janeyb]

You don't say what sort of speeds you are trying to attain, perhaps you put more effort into your cycling than I do, but I have never felt like using electrolyte drinks and gels for a 50 mile run, also fizzy drinks tend to be a no no when doing any sort of physical activity. One and a half litres of liquid plus a fizzy drink sounds like a lot of fluid for 25 miles.


Thanks for that. I've only used the electroyte drink over the past few months as I felt it gave me a bit more oomph Guess we're all different and a 50 is still a longer ride for me. The advice seems to differ so maybe I should cut down and only use water. Speed pretty low yesterday as we were pottering. Only about 13 mph average whereas I am usually around 15. So never that fast. I guess taking to road biking when you hit 40 means Ill never be as quick as i would have been at 30

 

[ttcycle]

if you need a bit of oomph as you put it, could be that you're overstretching yourself, Either up the speed and or intensity or up the distance, do one not both at the same time unless you've been cycling for longer and good base fitness. Enjoy it, ease yourself into it and let your body build up the network of capilleries and muscles that will make you a strong cyclist - this stuff comes with time.

But do get checked out

 

[lulubel]

Electrolyte drink isn't giving you any more energy - the tablets I put in my water are about 3 calories per tablet, and I only used 2 for my recent 50 mile ride. What they are doing is replacing electrolytes that are lost through sweat, which helps to keep the body functioning properly, and probably makes you feel as if you have more energy. The hotter it is, and the more you're sweating, the more likely you are to benefit from them. I generally use them if the temperature's around 25C or higher and I'm going to be out for over an hour, so if you're in a part of the UK that's hot at the moment, I can understand the need for electrolytes.

For me, the amount of fluids you consumed during the ride seems excessive, but everyone's different, and it doesn't matter if you drink more than your body can process as long as you're not diluting your electrolytes to below safe levels. You just might find yourself making frequent toilet stops if you drink more than you need.

 

[Janeyb]

Electrolyte drink isn't giving you any more energy - the tablets I put in my water are about 3 calories per tablet, and I only used 2 for my recent 50 mile ride. What they are doing is replacing electrolytes that are lost through sweat, which helps to keep the body functioning properly, and probably makes you feel as if you have more energy. The hotter it is, and the more you're sweating, the more likely you are to benefit from them. I generally use them if the temperature's around 25C or higher and I'm going to be out for over an hour, so if you're in a part of the UK that's hot at the moment, I can understand the need for electrolytes.

For me, the amount of fluids you consumed during the ride seems excessive, but everyone's different, and it doesn't matter if you drink more than your body can process as long as you're not diluting your electrolytes to below safe levels. You just might find yourself making frequent toilet stops if you drink more than you need.

It was very hot on Thursday and I must admit....I don't normally drink as much as that on a ride. But felt very thirsty throughout and only needed one loo stop. Strange. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Janeyb]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I think I'm just going to have to keep at it and see how it goes. Off shortly for another 50 as can't waste these beautiful days. It's going to be a hot one. Going to try and keep the intake on the bike down and see how that goes (dammit though.....thought the whole point of cycling was cake!). Anyway...fingers crossed.

 

[lulubel]

Going to try and keep the intake on the bike down and see how that goes (dammit though.....thought the whole point of cycling was cake!).

I generally don't eat much on the bike, then spend the rest of the day sitting around filling my face (and feeling very virtuous about it )

 

[Janeyb]

Well - did a 45 today - was going to be a 60 but it was really hot and even hubby admitted he was knackered. Anyway - I had a small bowl of granola and yoghurt for breakfast. On the bike I drank about 500 ml of water and 260 ml of electrolyte drink. I had a banana about 30 miles in - thinking we were doing 60. Result - I still feel sick and have no appetite. So for now I'm just going to attribute it to the heat and see how I do on cooler days. Thanks again.

 

[lulubel]

If it's any consolation, I did 42 miles this morning (on 1.25l of electrolyte drink and a cereal bar) and have been feeling sick and not had much appetite since. I've still managed to consume 400ml of chocolate milk, soup and ciabatta bread (lunch), a choc chip cookie, a handful of raisins, an apple, a pear, a plum, a banana and a yoghurt since I got back, and I'm now looking forward to dinner and a bowl of ice cream afterwards. I find I tend to feel better for while after I eat, so I think my nausea may be hunger related.