Did I bonk?

jame58rown

Hi guys,

I was out on a club ride today, about 35 - 40 miles, so not long. It was my first time on a proper ride for a month, but I run occasionaly and climb so I'm not completely out of shape.
The ride was fine for the first 20 miles: I was in the front group on the hills and stayed in the middle of the group well on the flats (i'm quite light so I suck on the flats). then the last 15 or so miles were agony and felt like hours. The guys who are usually at the back passed me at what seemed lightning quick speed and I couldn't muster my legs to keep up they were just in agony and cramped up a bit as well. any incline had to be taken at 4 mph. I also started to feel muscles that I wouldn't usually feel; my arms and calves were aching etc.
The ride was really hilly and steep with 4 mile climbs, but i usually sail up the climbs with the people at the front because of my weight, and then fall back a bit on descents and flats.

I had a pot of tea and a cereal bar from my jersey pocket at the tea stop and for breakfast I had eaten 2 slices of toast with jam a banana and a pint of water. On the bike I drank 600ml of electrolyte drink. Two of the people on the ride very kindly gave me an energy gel and an energy bar because they new something was wrong when I just slipped off the back like I was going backwards and I can usually at least keep up, even if I'm hurting. I fell asleep on the bench waiting for my dad to pick me up, not being able to face cycling the 23 miles to home and woke aching and shivering. Now my whole body hurts and it feels like I've done 140 miles not 40!

So, did I bonk? Or was I just having a bad day?

Thanks.

ozzzyosborn206

untill the last paragraph i was going to say no, but now i would say you either bonked or are about to be ill, how do you feel now once you have refueled?

jame58rown

I've had loads to eat now and feel much better than I did, just aching muscles and a very slight headache, I'm drinking loads though; constantly need a pee! :roll:

Giant Phil

My experience was somewhat similar. I'd only wolfed a banana and a cereal bar in the morning, and 30 miles in, I got slower and slower up the hills. It seemed I was going half the speed for twice the effort. I too find that my upper body, across my chest and tricepts start to feel numb and immobile when I get to the hypo stage.

Sounds like you did.

P

kettrinboy

If it was bad enough that your dad had to pick you up then you probably bonked, usually you can struggle home very slowly but you know things are bad when you need someone to come and get you.

Karl2010

I did a similar thing last week.

Riding without fueling up. Running on empty. You probaly did bonk.

jame58rown

Thanks for the replies,

I remember dreaming about food and planning what I was going to eat when I got home and wondering when the torture was going to end. lol

I didn't realise simply not eating enough would lead to barely being able to cycle. And why were my legs hurting so much just through lack of food?

ut_och_cykla

If you're still achey/shivery & have a headache I would suspect a virus - did you check your body temeprature - did you have a fever?

jgsi

At this time of year , would anyone argue against a possibility of an onset of hypothermia.. even in a mild form as opposed to lack of fuel?

jame58rown

I have no symptoms now and feel fine.
It was very cold when I wasn't riding, but I don't think it was hypothermia because I warmed up as soon as I started riding. Can you get an onset of hypothermia after only being cold for 5 minutes and then warming up again? :?
I was wearing a base layer, long sleeve jersey and a thin jacket (that I packed away into my back pocket when I got hot), bib tights, overshoes, headband and two pairs of gloves.

I think I've had mild hypothermia before while mountaineering late last year after being wet and exposed during the night. I was much colder during that then I was yesterday, so that's another reason why I don't think it was hypothermia.

However, I just have a 'passing' knowledge of hypothermia, so I may have suffered it without knowing.

Rapha

Yes sounds like the bonk! Happens to every cyclist eventually...

I always keep a gel with me just in case but nowadays I take enough energydrink and a bar with me because running out of energy like that is the worst feeling in the world! Thats when I actually get the chance to go for a long ride!

Roscoe_foley

Sounds like your body just crashed out. You would have been cold because your body will be keeping your internal organs warm instead of superficial things...like legs and arms. You've probably not taken the right amount of energy for the ride. Your body will have probably taken up what you had eaten and then started on muscle to burn fuel. Lactic acid will have kicked in and that explains the cramping.

Just a bit unfortunate I'd say

Rooner

must be the weather for it, had my first bonk (still find that oo-er'ish!) at the end of a long run on Sunday. Ran 8 miles on the Saturday, walked 6 miles, walked 6 miles first thing and then went out for 14 mile run on Sunday morning, all before breakfast (the weather was good so I was itching to get out).

Managed the first 12-13 miles fine (just under 7 minute mile pace). Then total meltdown within 5 - 10 minutes, so bad that I could barely walk up the final hill (it is a beast mind you), actually thought I was going to collapse. Got home and had Goodness Shakes drink, toast and honey, then carried on stuffing face all day. Felt rough rest of day, but tip top the day after.

Never had such a severe bonk (my own fault I know), so did a bit of googling the other day, seems that some sports scientists advocate bonking during training - not often mind you. Apparently it helps future recovery and your ability to function whilst glycogen-depleted.

Anyway, lesson learnt (incidentally, I weighed before and after the run, silly I know, but that run took 5lbs off me in under and hour and a half, mostly sweat I realise, but no wonder I was f!"£d!)