jlwilts
02-03-2006, 08:56 PM
Remember cycling is exercise and that all the principles of diabetes management apply.
One of the big positives with cycling is that a good diet for cycling is also a good diet for diabetes. A cyclist requires a steady release of energy throughout their activity in the same way as a person with diabetes.
Even if there is no legal requirement to do so wear a helmet. Helmets do absorb impact if you crash. Ideally it is a good idea to wear gloves or mittens to cover your hands to reduce grazing, it is a natural tendancy to use your hands to protect yourself should you fall off.
Ensure any supplies relating to diabetes management are secured, cannot fall out of pockets, saddlbags, panniers or back packs. Carry enough carbohydrate in a form appropriate to your cycling activity.
Before starting carry out a basic bike check; tyres undamaged and properly pumped up, brakes are working, wheels true and properly secured, saddle and handle bars properly adjusted and secured, pedals and the cranks attaching them to the bike are properly tightened.
Are you able to repair a puncture? Do you have a puncture repair kit including tyre levers, a pump, a basic tool kit or spanner to fit any nuts ( to repair a puncture you will need to take the wheel out, easy if you have a 'quick release' hub, impossible without a spanner to undo the nuts). Or take more than one spare inner tube with you, change that and then repair the puncture later at home.
Are you sure you know your route? A ride starting on flat roads becomes very much harder if there are unexpected hills towards the end.
Are you properly clothed? Weather conditions and temperature may change, cold weather can radically change blood sugar levels.
I will add some USA and UK links later.
CWD, Sports Corner, Starting a new sport: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/sports/startingsport.htm
USA
http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=172
And must not forget Team Type 1 http://www.teamtype1.org/
United Kingdom
Cycling Tourist Club, 'Getting Started' http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=3376
British Cycling http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bchome/home.asp
The League International, racing by age/ability catergories www.theleagueinternational.org/mambo/index.php (http://www.theleagueinternational.org/mambo/index.php)
Cycling Time Trials, 13yrs +, http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/index.asp
Cycling Time Trials, 40 & over http://www.vtta.org.uk/
Audax Uk (cycle rides following set routes within minimum and maximum time limits) http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm
Proposed London Bike Hire Scheme http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/cycling/cycle-hire-scheme/
One of the big positives with cycling is that a good diet for cycling is also a good diet for diabetes. A cyclist requires a steady release of energy throughout their activity in the same way as a person with diabetes.
Even if there is no legal requirement to do so wear a helmet. Helmets do absorb impact if you crash. Ideally it is a good idea to wear gloves or mittens to cover your hands to reduce grazing, it is a natural tendancy to use your hands to protect yourself should you fall off.
Ensure any supplies relating to diabetes management are secured, cannot fall out of pockets, saddlbags, panniers or back packs. Carry enough carbohydrate in a form appropriate to your cycling activity.
Before starting carry out a basic bike check; tyres undamaged and properly pumped up, brakes are working, wheels true and properly secured, saddle and handle bars properly adjusted and secured, pedals and the cranks attaching them to the bike are properly tightened.
Are you able to repair a puncture? Do you have a puncture repair kit including tyre levers, a pump, a basic tool kit or spanner to fit any nuts ( to repair a puncture you will need to take the wheel out, easy if you have a 'quick release' hub, impossible without a spanner to undo the nuts). Or take more than one spare inner tube with you, change that and then repair the puncture later at home.
Are you sure you know your route? A ride starting on flat roads becomes very much harder if there are unexpected hills towards the end.
Are you properly clothed? Weather conditions and temperature may change, cold weather can radically change blood sugar levels.
I will add some USA and UK links later.
CWD, Sports Corner, Starting a new sport: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/sports/startingsport.htm
USA
http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=172
And must not forget Team Type 1 http://www.teamtype1.org/
United Kingdom
Cycling Tourist Club, 'Getting Started' http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=3376
British Cycling http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bchome/home.asp
The League International, racing by age/ability catergories www.theleagueinternational.org/mambo/index.php (http://www.theleagueinternational.org/mambo/index.php)
Cycling Time Trials, 13yrs +, http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/index.asp
Cycling Time Trials, 40 & over http://www.vtta.org.uk/
Audax Uk (cycle rides following set routes within minimum and maximum time limits) http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm
Proposed London Bike Hire Scheme http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/cycling/cycle-hire-scheme/