Type 1 Diabetes & Bikepacking

[Giacomo]

Hi all, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in August and I was just wondering if there is anyone else here that has type 1 (or any bikepacking doctors? diabetes specialists on here?) and enjoys long distance cycling? I've a real inclining to do a bikepacking race in Kyrgyzstan and am just looking for any advice or tips really to help me manage my condition in such a remote, desolate country and on a really tough, mountainous route. I've done a few multi day events in the past but this will be by far the biggest and most challenging to date. Understandably, I'm hesitant and a little scared to register. I am determined to not let the condition rule what I can and can't do... but perhaps this is too much? Anyone? Thanks.

http://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/

[Bearbonesnorm]

Haywire's your man.

EDIT: looks stunning.

[Giacomo]

Thanks! I have messaged Haywire.

[ianfitz]

I think there are a few people with DT1 who are getting up to silly things on bikes.

[Scott L]

This year's fastest time on the Tour Divide was ridden by someone with type 1 diabetes, inspiring stuff!

http://bikepacker.com/brian-lucido-tour-divide-winner/

[HopeValleyPaul]

Lookup a guy called Jerry Gore. He’s a Type 1 diabetic who has done a lot of big wall climbing in very isolated parts of the world. He often talks about how he manages being diabetic while at the arse end of nowhere.

https://www.lifesystems.co.uk/athletes/jerry-gore

[Scud]

Hi

I did reply to your Bike & Bivi FB post too.

I did a 500km 24 hour event a few years ago from Newcastle to London and one of the guys i rode with was a researcher at Newcastle Uni and T1, he was covered in a number of sensors and i explained to him my (then) 4 year old daugghtr was Type 1 and we chatted about dealing with it and endurance sports. I can't remember his name, but he was from here:

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/medicalsciences/re ... /#overview

This is an interesting article: https://cehsp.d.umn.edu/sites/cehsp.d.u ... abetes.pdf

I think the main thing is and this may sound silly, but you need to relearn the "new you", by constant testing and increasing your training and the distances you're riding then you will learn what is best for you nutrition wise and how your body reacts.

I guess an adult and new to the condition, you are injecting? If so, i would look at insulin pumps, my daughter has an Omnipod, as they allow a lot finer control, plus when you test your blood, you then tell the system the grams of carbs you are consuming and it gives the appropriate amount of insulin, it also shows how much insulin you have on board and if you are having a high fat or high protein meal where carb absorption can slow, it can stretch out the insulin it gives you.

I would also look (especially whilst training) at a CGM such as Freesyle Libre

https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/libre/ ... 2UQAvD_BwE

Instead of taking blood glucose reading from blood, it takes it via a sensor into the interstitial fluid, you simply scan the sensor to get a reading, the advantage is that it tells you the last 8 hours of BG readings, so you could see exactly how your body was reacting to the training over that period and see how it reacted to the carbs you took on, instead of just a snapshot of your BG like you get with a simple blood test.

You will find out that you may become insulin resilient when exhausted or ill. That if insulin has been in your bike packing gear in hot conditions that it starts to degrade and that the insulin, BG monitor strips etc are simply not accessible where you are going.

Make sure you get a doctors note to state the reasons you are carrying needles and your supplies and that this is English and translated in to the local language and so that you can get through customs easier without havnig to explain contents of your bag or any sensors or pumps on you as you got through customs.

Finally may be worth speaking to people at Liverpool or London Insititutes of Tropical health and medicine, despite where you are going not being tropical, i know from working with them, they can advise you and can possibly set you up with contacts or places to get supplies where you are going.


Sorry if this is a bit incoherent, stream of thoughts that came into my head whilst at work!

[KiwiDave]

I'm thinking to also race the Silk Road. My daughter has had T1D for 9 years so I have some insight.

It is completely doable with T1D - Brian won the Tour Divide this year with T1D and does a lot of cycle touring. Jarral Ryter has also raced the TD with T1D. The issue with remoteness is really just a case of you'll carry extra food compared to some other racers.

Your main thing perhaps is with regards to the race being within 12 months of diagnosis - your Beta cells don't completely cease so quickly and there are also periods of remission as the remaining cells kick-in for some short periods. It takes some time for your care team to work out which mix of basal-bolus insulins will be the best for you. I've sat and watched the three leading diabetes specialists at the hospital debate which mix of insulins to treat my daughter with - it is not easy.

Secondly you might want to do some stressful overnighters to see how your body is going to react now to the physical challenge.

Finally - look at getting a CGM if you don't have one already - we have had one (Dexcom G5) for two weeks and they are amazing.

Maybe see you in Bishkek.