Violent vomiting and muscle ache/shivers after bike ride.

[Skippy]

Hi there, long time lurker here and finally decided to sign up to this great forum. I've recently got myself a road bike after not cycling for roughly ten years. I've been out on it three times so far and really enjoyed it up until my last ride. My latest ride spanned 22 miles and I must admit I think I pushed myself too hard too soon at certain times. Upon finishing my ride, I made myself a protein shake with milk and then about an hour later went to bed for the night. I then awoke roughly an hour later needing to rush to the toilet to be sick. The remainder of the night was spent with me waking and being violently sick.

The following morning I no longer felt sick but my whole body especially my back was constantly shivering. I didn't feel back to my usual self until two days later! Is this a symptom of me over working my body or is it more likely to have been a virus/food poisoning? It has kind of scared me to be honest as for the past year I've been having liver/back pain which has been investigated but nothing found.

Another issue I have is with my lower back, I tend to get lower back pain on my left side when cycling uphill. It comes on midway through a ride and remains for the rest of the ride. Any ideas as to what may be causing this and what I could do to eliminate it?

Thanks for taking the time read this and any input is much appreciated.

 

[screenman]

I doubt it has anything to do with it, but I would not be using a protein shake after such a short ride. Is there something wrong with your normal diet that you need these drinks?

 

[Markymark]

Sounds like a bug to me.

 

[Fab Foodie]

That's no fun!
You could have similar from over-exertion/ catching a chill, but usually it's short lived. I've thrown up after time trials. It's also possible you had a virus, it's hard to tell.
Firstly, take it easy, warm up on the bike gently, low gears spinning along for 15 mins, same at the end of the ride. Don't over exert or get to sweaty until you have more fitness/miles under you belt.
Also, even for hard 22 miles all you need is a pint of milk and some nesquick, not fancy protein shakes.
Make sure you have eaten before the ride and keep hydrated. Squash or diluted fruit juice is fine on the bike.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Oh, with the back pain I get something similar (muscular), I tend to push big gears especially up hills (old bad habits die hard) and I sit far back on the bike and quite stretched, so I put it down to overexertion. It u comfortable but I can generally keep going.
Again look at the gears you are using and also your position on the bike.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Tummy bug..just a coincidence..
if you upchuck while cycling you have pushed too hard Or eaten something greasy that just needs to be chucked out..

keep biking ,learn to hydrate and eat healthy small amounts often..flap jacks and stuff with a slow realese are best.

 

[vickster]

+1 for Sounds like a bug, winter, likely a norovirus

The backache sounds like SIJ pain, probably linked to bike fit. I get it too, my bike fits but I have a weak core and history of back issues. Work on the core and stretch after cycling

 

[Truth]

Sounds exactly like the virus I had 2 weeks ago.
I was off work 2 days..... 1st sick day off work in 5 years .
So I am with the ride and the aftermath being coincidence.......
Hope you feel better soon

 

[mjr]

Another issue I have is with my lower back, I tend to get lower back pain on my left side when cycling uphill. It comes on midway through a ride and remains for the rest of the ride. Any ideas as to what may be causing this and what I could do to eliminate it?

Might be bad bike fit or simply bad form due to pushing too big a gear uphill? See also http://www.SheldonBrown.com/pain.html

I doubt it has anything to do with it, but I would not be using a protein shake after such a short ride. Is there something wrong with your normal diet that you need these drinks?

Amen. Lots of those sports drinks upset my stomach, gels give me horrendous wind and I've heard of worse effects. Don't use them at first and even when you're moving up to longer rides, try them first when you can easily reach home, not on a group or event ride. Lots of people ride with the old traditionals (malt loaf, fruit cake, bananas, dates, scones while out; milk, yogurt, nuts and/or seeds after) without ever using the processed pap.

It might well have been a bug, but you wouldn't be the first person to react badly to something in a sports shake.

 

[Spinney]

If you want protein after a ride (not sure it really does help build muscle etc, but it won't do any harm) - sardines on toast, banana pancake, etc. Fills your tummy better, probably tastes nicer and less likely to have an adverse effect on you.

 

[Joffey]

The BBC did some testing about protein shakes, results? They do nothing to aid recovery. Save your money.

Back problems? Try your local bike shop, they might be able to look at your position on the bike and diagnose something without you having to fork out for an expensive bike fit.

And just go steady. Nothing wrong with smashing it up the climbs but make sure you have a base level of fitness first.

 

[mjr]

The BBC did some testing about protein shakes, results? They do nothing to aid recovery. Save your money.

At the easy-to-remember web address http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...rotein-supplements-help-me-put-on-more-muscle

 

[Markymark]

Probably pregnant.

 

[Mile195]

Did you drink any water out of your bike bottle on your ride? No lie - I have heard the odd story of people riding on damp roads which had previously had something unsavoury on it. some spray from your tyres hits the mouthpiece of your bottle, and before you know it you're ingesting a small amount of horse manure or a cowpat... It's fairly unlikely, but not completely beyond the bounds of possibility.

 

[The Jogger]

Might be a trip to the GP would be a good idea.