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President’s
Message
Heat
Exhaustion Sucks!
Just in case there is anyone who has not
heard, I want to openly announce that I spent part of this year’s Bike MS
(aka MS-150) in the Emergency Room on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. I would like to be able to say I was there through
no fault of my own, or at least be able to say that this stop was part of
the event, but I cannot. I simply pushed myself much too far and my body
quit. I still wanted to continue and finish the ride, but I could not. I
had Heat Exhaustion!
Obviously, I am not new to cycling. I ride
at least six centuries and take frequent 50+ mile rides every year. I am a
strong rider and normally heat does not bother me. On that fateful day, I
drank as much water and electrolytes as I usually drink during rides -
which apparently is not enough! I will never really know why I collapsed on
Saturday, June 5th, 2010 – at least in terms of any other long,
hot ride I have finished without issue. Heat Exhaustion took me down
suddenly and without any perceptible warning! My experience was not any fun
at all and I never want to repeat it. On June 5th, 2010 I made a commitment
to myself to hydrate A LOT more when I ride, even if I am not thirsty! I
also plan to spread the word about proper hydration to anyone who will
listen. I have always known that none of us are Superman, and now I truly
believe it.
According to the Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-exhaustion/ds01046):
Heat
exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a
rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. It's one of three
heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke
being the most severe.
Causes
of heat exhaustion include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when
combined with high humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Without
prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a
life-threatening condition.
Signs
and symptoms of heat exhaustion may come on suddenly or may develop after
days of heat exposure. Possible heat exhaustion signs and symptoms include:
·
Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
·
Heavy sweating
·
Faintness
·
Dizziness
·
Fatigue
·
Weak, rapid pulse
·
Low blood pressure upon standing
·
Muscle cramps
·
Nausea
·
Headache
If
you think you're experiencing heat exhaustion:
·
Stop all activity and rest
·
Move to a cooler place
·
Drink cool water or sports drinks
Contact
your doctor if your signs or symptoms worsen or if they don't improve
within 60 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention if your body
temperature reaches 104 F (40 C) or higher.
In closing, I would like to thank my
son, Lance, and my ride training partner, Oneida Manning, for insisting I
stop and for flagging down a SAG vehicle for me; John and Romelda McKee, SAG support, for calling EMT support and
taking great care of my bike; The EMT and ER teams for nursing me back to
health; Shannon Rice for arriving in the ER before she even knew who was
brought in and keeping me company while I was in the ER; Shannon Rice and
Kathy Whitlock for cornering and pulling me from the ride at Rest Stop 2
(20 mile point) on Sunday to ensure I would not have a relapse; all of my
wonderful friends for checking on me when I finally made it to Camp Silver
Beach on Saturday and back to Cape Charles on Sunday; and last but not
least, my loving wife Cindi for having the
foresight to leave the note pictured below where I would find it before I
left for Cape Charles on Saturday morning.
Keep
on Riding!
Steve
P.S.
Please join me and your fellow TBA members at our July 4th Picnic (7/3) and
the Coast Guard City Century (8/7)
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