Problems after biking in hot weather

I went on approximately a 2.5 hour bike ride today. I was in the shade probably 70% of the time, but the temperature outside was between 85 and 90 degrees. of course i was hot and pretty exhausted, but i never really got horribly dizzy. throughout the ride, i drank 1.5 bottles of gatorade, and i drank another half of a bottle when i got home. i've been drinking water ever since i got back. however, even though its been about 5 hours since i got home, just in the last hour i've started to feel not so great. my face feels really warm and i have a slight headache and am a little nauseous. just curious- has this ever happened to anyone else? what did you do to help yourself feel better? i try to avoid exercising in heat whenever possible, so i'm not exactly experienced in this area lol :)

Replies

  • DiannaMoorer
    DiannaMoorer Posts: 783 Member
    Sounds like a case of heat exhaustion. Take your temp. Keep drinking and don't lay down.
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Too much straight up water lowers your electrolytes, do half gatorade/powerade with water. We learned this from the Coachella Music Festivals in the hot desert.

    Cool packs/Shower will help if it is heat illness
  • You are still dehydrated from the hot weather and long ride. You need to drink more water and/or Gatorade, and cool down in a tepid cool tub of water and relax. Headaches are a sign of heat stroke, plus flushing of the skin and dry skin. Get cooled off, drink a LOT of water and see how you feel.
  • irishdancer23
    irishdancer23 Posts: 168 Member
    Sounds like a case of heat exhaustion. Take your temp. Keep drinking and don't lay down.

    why shouldn't i lay down?
  • Kryxx
    Kryxx Posts: 34
    Sounds pretty normal happens to me to in sunny excercising. Just heat exhaustion, will lead to a great nights sleep and a fresh morning
  • DiannaMoorer
    DiannaMoorer Posts: 783 Member
    Sounds like a case of heat exhaustion. Take your temp. Keep drinking and don't lay down.

    why shouldn't i lay down?

    This is what a paramedic told a guy when they called an ambulance and he had heat exhaustion. I'd have to look up why.
  • irishdancer23
    irishdancer23 Posts: 168 Member
    Sounds like a case of heat exhaustion. Take your temp. Keep drinking and don't lay down.

    why shouldn't i lay down?

    This is what a paramedic told a guy when they called an ambulance and he had heat exhaustion. I'd have to look up why.

    oh don't worry about it. i just won't lay down :)
    actually, i'm guessing maybe he was nauseous and the paramedic didn't want him to throw up and then aspirate it. either way, thanks for the help!
  • irishdancer23
    irishdancer23 Posts: 168 Member
    thanks guys! you're lifesavers! i'm such a worrier lol...
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    best thing for hydration is milk.
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    best thing for hydration is milk.

    Unless a person is lactose-intolerant...diarrhea is bad for dehydration (I discovered I was lactose intolerant when training for my first long running race and drinking chocolate milk after each run and getting sick. I sort of put 2-and-2 together and started doing lactose-free protein shakes and no more troubles).

    Sports drink is good, too, or plain water with electrolyte capsules.

    Better yet is drinking more during a ride like that. 1.5 bottles over a 2.5 hour hot weather ride is recipe for heat/dehydration issues. Always good to plan a ride like that around water sources.
  • bzgl40
    bzgl40 Posts: 69 Member
    I would say you under hydrated on your ride. I go through about a bottle an hour as a general rule of thumb. It of course varies a bit depending on the temperature but that is still my plan of action.
  • midschool22
    midschool22 Posts: 1,267 Member
    I would say you under hydrated on your ride. I go through about a bottle an hour as a general rule of thumb. It of course varies a bit depending on the temperature but that is still my plan of action.

    This. I take two gulps every five minutes. For me, that equates a bottle an hour.