I’ve noticed the past couple of times on my bike that I get a very weird, sleepy feeling. It feels like I just want to fall asleep on my aero bars immediately. I’m getting decent sleep. I’m not otherwise tired. Could it be a blood flow problem caused by saddle pressure or something else related to exercise on the bike? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.
I was riding on a paved bike trail in the middle of nowhere a couple of weeks ago. Maybe saw one person every couple of miles.
I was at about mile 60 of a 80 mile ride on my tri bike on the aero bars when I fell asleep. One second I was just cruising away daydreaming, next thing I remember I was going cross country off the trail at over 20 mph in the aero bars. Was able to keep it upright and get back on the trail. The trail usually goes on top of the dike along the creek, and if it would have happened there I know I would have built up speed downhill right into the water. Lucky for me this segment of trail had the dike between it and the water, so when I went off the trail I headed up the dike and that helped slow me down.
I get plenty of sleep, I think I was just in a zone with no stimulation. Same scenery, just a constant pedal, wind noise. Anyway I had no problem staying awake for the last 20 miles.
I’ve always said riding solo is boring. You need to find a good fast roadie group! 
Are you eating enough on the bike? Getting that sleepy feeling on bike means usually means I’m ready to bonk. The street in front of me gets blurry and reaction time is longer. Coke will do the trick.
stef
I’m thinking this isn’t sleep related, and is more of a “passing out” thing, maybe related to sudden blood pressure drops. I’m not trying to be alarmist here. But it might be worth having checked out. How about hydration?
My dad had this problem a couple years ago wherre basically his hart rate dropped to 28 (from a normal resting HR of about 65-70), and he’d pass out. Now with a pacemaker, he’s okay (though the Parkinson’s is still the issue).
I was thinking about the passing out thing too, because that’s kind of what it feels like, although, I’m not really feeling light headed or anything. My heart rate appears to be normal the whole time and I’m constantly drinking gatorade and eating my cliff shot blocks. Granted it was a three hour trainer ride yesterday, but I felt it one other time last week too, on a short ride on my trainer as well. Perhaps I just need to take in more food in before I start my ride.
sounds like you need to HTFU and pedal harder =)
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Fill me in… what’s the “H” stand for. I got the rest.
Granted it was a three hour trainer ride yesterday.
Well, now there’s your problem.
A three hour trainer ride has to be worse than water-boarding right? That’s what they should do in guantanamo—bring down a bunch of trainers and make the prisoners ride until they confess to something. Actually, even Dick Cheney isn’t that evil, right?
“Harden”
This acronym is on bracelets worn by Team CSC, except maybe Zabriske
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Never had this happen on the bike but I’ve had it happen on the run often. I’ve determined it is sugar induced. I cannot drink gatorade or eat a sugary cereal before a run or I’ll get what I call the ‘sleepies’ 15-20 minutes into a run. I can almost literally fall asleep while running. It goes away after another 10-20 minutes and I’ve eliminated most refined sugar, especially before a workout which has eliminated this from happening. Any chance you are coming off a sugar high during these sleeping episodes?
I would see a doctor about it.
If it wasn’t induced by lethargy (laziness in training/boredom/burnout) and a really low intensity level, I would get it checked out ASAP before it happens on the road and you really hurt yourself. I know of a girl who developed some sort of narcolepsy thing and can’t really ride her bike anymore.
Interesting. All I’m eating is basically sugar. I’m often going into a long morning ride on nothing by toast and pb, then I eat my gels and gatorade while riding. It could be that my body just needs something more substantial before I get going.
What does the “F” stand for?
I know of a girl who developed some sort of narcolepsy thing and can’t really ride her bike anymore.
Tell her to eat a more substantial breakfast and just hit the road!
What does the “F” stand for?
Fudge. Runny fudge is a big problem, gets everywhere, hence: Harden the fudge up.