Dirt bike riding

[BJC411]

I was just wondering if anyone rides dirtbikes here? I rode every weekend up to Memorial day weekend when I was diagnosed this year. I want to keep riding but the doctor said no, I understand the risks of injuring myself (broke foot, ribs and hip bone last july doing so, oops) if I go low because of the energy it takes up, but figure if I dont ride to hard and keep energy snacks and water with me I would be fine. Just wondering your opinions. :dontknow:

[duck]

Ummm... did your doc say no? Are you feeble and decrepid (no offense to those that are feeble or decrepid or both)?

[gettingby]

This is just my OPINION but I have some some things I do that I really shouldn't. I wouldn't give it up completely. Just be careful. Heck, I play paintball and those things can leave major bruises. LOL

[duck]

I agree with Cin...

I think your doc is off-base if his only concern is your diabetes...I've played full-on Lacrosse, tackle football, went swimming and done all sorts of other things that some people STILL think diabetics can't or shouldn't do. You're still alive, take precautions for your diabetes and have at it.

[BJC411]

Actually im in good shape, thats why I didnt see a problem with it.

[Dewey]

Hi BJC,

Just wanted to give some input here as well. I completely agree with Duck and Cin in that if you're in decent health otherwise, then dirt bike riding should be a-ok. I've done a multitude of things, including: Horseback riding (and jumping), rollerskating, hiking and more. I've been bucked off, fallen (when skating, hiking and riding, etc. :D), and have been alright. It kinda sounds like your doc may be thinking a little too cautiously. I think many feel the same in that we try not to allow our Diabetes to stop us from participating in the fun activities we like to do. The only other ideas I can give are to test often and snack as needed (I tend to go low when hiking, but carry snacks and sugar tabs to help). Hope this helps you, and enjoy the nice weather. :top: :)

[KickStart101]

Well BJ, I can understand why your Doc is worried about your driving a dirt bike. Geez, he cares about you. ;) Many people who drive dirt bikes drive
too fast, in dangerous terrains, do usually regretable "tricks", some don't wear helmets so Diabetes just adds an extra negative to the mix. So if you
don't do any of the above and make sure you wear a helmit, your bike is properly maintained and check your sugar before you leave, if it's anywhere
below 7.0 then have something to eat before ya go. And make sure to make a stop an hour later to check your sugars. Take solid and fast-acting food or tabs and a drink with ya. I ride on the b-seat on my Hubbie's motorcycle BUT HE DRIVES and he is not Diabetic(that we know of)(although I believe he is Hypoglycemic since he was young)(He refuses to get checked for either) I always check my sugar before we leave and have something to eat if I need. I have my long-lasting Insulin on schedule so it continually works. Just please do look-out for yourself if you do decide to drive it. (We ride
usually after supper. If we ride during the day I make sure his sugar is okay.

[archimeech]

We're all going to die of something. It's the trip, not the destination that counts!

so light reading for you:
http://www.diabetes-exercise.org/index.asp
and this one:
http://www.humankinetics.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=0736032711
Written by a diabetic athlete with a PhD in exercise physiology and endorsed by Dr. Edward Horton, a recognized diabetes expert, The Diabetic Athlete draws from collected expertise of hundreds of diabetic athletes, sharing their experiences from sports and fitness training. Colberg analyses their experiences and provides practical advice on blood sugar balance, nutrition, and exercise to help you pursue a normal, vigorously active life.

and this one:
http://www.mendosa.com/athletes.htm

couple of tips and management issues:
http://journal.diabetes.org/diabetesspectrum/00v13n3/pg149c.htm

Here's a website of Famous Diabetics and it has a list of famous athlete diabetics:
http://www.jantb.com/dsport.htm
http://www.angelarose.com/FamousDiabetics/Fam-Sports.htm
pay special attention to this posting-Corbin Mills
Bike Racer

[archimeech]

I played
JV Basketball for 3 years
Varsity Soccer for 5 years ( I started when I was 13 playing for the highschool team)
and ran track for a year.

My 10th grad year playing Soccer (football for all the Europeans and true lovers of the sport :D) I began the season about 3 months after blowing out 1 knee and almost breaking the other, and having 36 fractures in 8 of my ribs from a car accident.(they almost had to wire my sternum in place after that accident and I can still feel it move when I strectch the wrong way) I was a starting Left-Half at the beginning of that season and played 100% of the games.

[Belinda]

WHAT...NO Is your doctor NUTS??? okay that is my opinion. If someone tells you that you can't do something due to diabetes then they are crazy. Live your life. Like Meech said, we die of something. You can't live your life afraid of what diabetes might do...just check more frequently while riding, take snacks, you may could put your pump on temp. basal while riding (that is if your on one). I would not give up anything due to diabetes. So here is dirt in your face :driver:

[Clint]

Yes, I continued to race after I was dxd back in 1999. I am a bit more careful, but I dont stop playing sports just because I have diabetes.

Now, I did have scare in March from when I slid over home plate playing softball and tore a good bit of skin off my leg and in turn got a skin infection.

But as far as drs telling us what we should & should not do... thats for the birds.

[BJC411]

I do wear all of the protective gear, good boots, knee gaurds, chest protector, and a nice helmet. I really am not into doing tricks, maybe the occasional jump but thats it. I do alot of trail riding. I wear a camel back backpack which holds 70oz of fluid(I think is 2 liters?) and I usually stop for breaks at least every 30 mins or so. Thanks for all the comments. ;)

[archimeech]

Good! Just pay attention, have fun, and ride on, brother! :thumbsup:

[buzz23148]

hey there, I am what you might call an extreme sports enthusiast, I skateboard, snowboard, mountain bike (cross country and downhill), mountain unicycle, freestyle unicycle, rock climb, slackline, carveboard, and yes occasionally Ill hop on the dirtbike. all you have to do is make sure your prepared, carry food/sugar and wear some sort of ID that says youre a diabetic, sheck out www.medicool.com for some great stuff to carry your insulin/syringes/pump/whatever in.

ps. I recently did a 3 day rafting trip in Moab Utah (class five rapids) and was able to keep my numbers stable. Diabetes isnt a setback it just means your more prepared than the next guy.

[Starlight]

Remember, nobody has perfect control. We are humans aswell and we have to keep our passions in life- without them you'd just feel more diseased. If you keep your precautions and control while bike riding, then your ready to go.

[deansreef]

i ride and race motocross- i have been D type 1 for 20 yrs. I say ride carefully- I mean not above your skill level.

Dean

[ctskierguy]

I've been into some rather intense sports over the years. I did have one Dr. tell me to stop them. I now have a new Dr.
A few of the things that I do:
Offshore sailboat racing, downhill mtn biking, hockey playing, rock and mtn climbing, motorcycle riding, car racing, parachuting, bungee jumping, and skiing just to name a few.
Some of them have been totally solo adventures as well.
I've always said that I was going to rule my diabetes, not let my diabetes rule me. And that if my non diabetic friends can do it, so can I.
So just make sure that eveything is in good shape, and enjoy doing what you like.

Mike

[deansreef]

i say do whatever makes you happy in life- just do it smartly

[KEVIN88GT]

I still play hockey at least once a week... the pump comes off and I'm ready to knock some people over.... after all is said and done I'll either correct a high...or treat a slight low (if it's a long game)

[deansreef]

i need to set a temporary basal for when I ride- if I dont set a higher temporary basal my sugar will be high when I am done rididng. I guess the adrenaline makes a rise in sugar.

Dean