[MJM]

I'm going on a 3 day cycling trip and would like suggestion on how I should approach it. i.e. How to take into account say a 30mile + cycle each day. Would it be wise to stop the basal while cycling or should I approach it from the eating more, and taking less bolus insulin? Any suggestions ?

[spike]

Originally Posted by MJM

I'm going on a 3 day cycling trip and would like suggestion on how I should approach it. i.e. How to take into account say a 30mile + cycle each day. Would it be wise to stop the basal while cycling or should I approach it from the eating more, and taking less bolus insulin? Any suggestions ?

Rule of thumb for exercise: cut boluses in 1/2 and basals by 40%. Don't cut a bolus by that much if the activity isn't going to start for more than 90 minutes, or you'll get high for a while, so it's a bit tricky when the timing doesn't work out correctly. I try to exercise (biking) within 45 minutes of eating and taking a 50% bolus, otherwise I'll get too high and feel lousy while biking.

Don't stop your basal unless you know you've taken too much bolus recently and are trying hard to prevent going low. Don't stop your basal for more than 60-90 minutes under those conditions and not for longer than 60 minutes if you haven't taken too much of a bolus just prior to that.

[MJM]

Thanks for advise Spike. Sounds good. Much appreciated

[JediSkipdogg]

Stopping the bolus is the last thing to do. It takes about 3 hours for a stopped bolus to take full effect and then when you restart it again 3 more hours. So the easiest way is to cover it with carbs as needed and adjust bolus rates if you give any during the bike ride.

[caryj]

As with everything in diabetes, there is only one rule: "it depends". When I do longer bike rides (80+ miles) I put my basil at 35% and eat and drink water/hammer heed or gatorade the whole time -- I never ever bolus unless I'm above 220 -- but I usually ride hard, and I am usually between 110-125 all day riding my bike.

I know plenty of folks who have to bolus when they eat while exercising--it all depends--just remember to take significantly less than you normally do--atleast half--but probably closer to 1/3.

The hardest part is transitioning back to the real world after cycling/working out all day (for me atleast, some people have no problem with this). All of that food I eat suddenly catches up with me because I don't have the constant exersize keeping the BGs down and I'll run in the 200--280 for a couple of hours until everything settles down.

[spike]

Originally Posted by caryj

As with everything in diabetes, there is only one rule: "it depends". When I do longer bike rides (80+ miles) I put my basil at 35% and eat and drink water/hammer heed or gatorade the whole time -- I never ever bolus unless I'm above 220 -- but I usually ride hard, and I am usually between 110-125 all day riding my bike.

I know plenty of folks who have to bolus when they eat while exercising--it all depends--just remember to take significantly less than you normally do--atleast half--but probably closer to 1/3.

The hardest part is transitioning back to the real world after cycling/working out all day (for me atleast, some people have no problem with this). All of that food I eat suddenly catches up with me because I don't have the constant exersize keeping the BGs down and I'll run in the 200--280 for a couple of hours until everything settles down.

280 post ride is awfully high!!
the transition period might not be accompanied by such highs as you mention post-ride, if you upped any boluses to closer to 50% of normal, rather than the very low 1/3 that you suggested. If I eat nearly anything during a ride, I too will end up high, post ride, almost every time. It's kind of a bummer to be "just right" for the entire ride, and then get home only to see my bg's rise quickly. If I don't eat anything during the ride (1-2.5 hour ride) then my post ride bg's remain normal.

[Funnygrl]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

Stopping the bolus is the last thing to do. It takes about 3 hours for a stopped bolus to take full effect and then when you restart it again 3 more hours. So the easiest way is to cover it with carbs as needed and adjust bolus rates if you give any during the bike ride.

Do you mean basal?

[caryj]

Originally Posted by spike

280 post ride is awfully high!!
the transition period might not be accompanied by such highs as you mention post-ride, if you upped any boluses to closer to 50% of normal, rather than the very low 1/3 that you suggested. If I eat nearly anything during a ride, I too will end up high, post ride, almost every time. It's kind of a bummer to be "just right" for the entire ride, and then get home only to see my bg's rise quickly. If I don't eat anything during the ride (1-2.5 hour ride) then my post ride bg's remain normal.

I don't mind the 280 post ride too much---although after 6 hours of riding at 145bpm I'd rather 280 than 20. I'm trying to work out a personal formula to compansate when I get off the bike. I think it may make more sense to increase my basil to 50-70% a little before getting off the bike to get some insulin on board.

When cycling for endurance the rule of thirds generally applies to atheletes in good condition. However, for a 1-1 1/2 hour bike ride I will remove my insulin pump entirely because I will usually run my heart rate around 150-160bpm (I'm only 22 so this is entirely normal). Anything more than 90 minutes (with exersize) and I need to get some insulin in me. For a short ride I don't eat, but start out with a BG of ~180 and ZERO insulin on board and drink my waters (no carbs).

Before you start any excersise you really need to wach your BG versus your IOB--it could mean a joyful ride versus disaster.

[Lex4153]

Is it just me or is pumping insulin an awful lot of math???