hunger shakes/weakness when cycling

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joanna

Senior Member
Location
Brighton
Not always, maybe a couple of times a month I get really bad hunger shakes (not shakes as such - more of a weakness, and sometimes sweats/slightly blurred vision when it's bad) when cycling. Last night I had this - I wasn't hungry, but fortunately had some jelly babies and a soreen malt loaf thing to sustain me. I had to get off and walk for a bit though as I really couldn't go on... I'm generally fit, and healthy - but get this from time to time. Anyone else suffer?
 

vernon

Harder than Ronnie Pickering
Location
Meanwood, Leeds
Eating before you are hungry and drinking before you are thirsty normally wards off the hunger knock. The first time it happened to me I thought at first that the road tar had melted and got off to feel the road surface. When this failed to account for the perceived 'drag' I then checked that my brakes were not rubbing - they weren't. A bottle of coke nad some Jaffa cakes effected a cure.

The best cold start of my recent four day tour was when I ate jelly babies and malt loaf twenty minutes before setting off.
 

TVC

Guest
A couple of times a month is a bit often, i did it once and it scared me enough to make sure it never happens again. I'm with 33, check with someone in case there is something else going on.
 

Mo1959

Legendary Member
Get something similar occasionally. I usually just put it down to low blood sugar and feel better if I even have a couple of sweets. Sounds a bit like what you get. Weak, shaky feeling with a kind of cold sweat?
 

Mile195

Veteran
Location
West Kent
Very occasionally, if I haven't eaten right during the day (and sometimes even when I have) I get this on my commute home. It's rare - maybe once every 2 months or so. I just stop at a shop, eat a mars bar, and within 10 minutes I'm feeling better and back on the bike.

If it happens alot and you're DEFINITELY eating properly, then I echo the sentiments about double checking with a doctor. But at the end of the day your body needs fuel to ride. If you run out, then things don't work properly, just as in a car.

Also, as a side note, dizzy spells and light-headedness can also be indicators of stress. Probably nothing to do with it on this occasion, but always worth bearing in mind...
 

Tyke

Senior Member
Not always, maybe a couple of times a month I get really bad hunger shakes (not shakes as such - more of a weakness, and sometimes sweats/slightly blurred vision when it's bad) when cycling. Last night I had this - I wasn't hungry, but fortunately had some jelly babies and a soreen malt loaf thing to sustain me. I had to get off and walk for a bit though as I really couldn't go on... I'm generally fit, and healthy - but get this from time to time. Anyone else suffer?
I have only ever had these feelings once. About 3 yr ago on a hot day it hit me all at once after I did 26 miles then stopped for about 20 min by the canal, I set off again feeling fine but only got about another mile. I thought it was lack of food and maybe dehydration. It tuned out to be a Heart Attack go get the doc to make sure your right about the hunger just to be safe.
 
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yep - get it from time to time when I am under the weather. In my case I know the case and just have to be really careful and stop when it starts and get potassium & sodium into my body quickly. Any form of sugar also helps me recover from it much more quickly, but I can guarentee the cause, I have tried to do more than my body is able to that day.

The blurred vision is more of a concern and warrants a talk with a GP imo, that could easily be low blood pressure (something I have passed out from twice this year so far due to my BP meds being too much for my exercise regime).
 
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