cycle challenge while 10 weeks pregnant

[raw87]

Looking for some advice. I entered a charity cycle challenge before I found out I was pregnant. Its 38miles. I will be about 10 weeks pregnant when it comes to doing it. Will I be ok to go ahead if I take it easy and take my time? Any advice would be greatful.

Depends what your cycling is like and how you're feeling I suppose. I am only 7 weeks but I'd do it. Would use the excuse of pregnancy if I got a poor time though ;) Oh and if you're like me you'll be taking plenty of water -so thirsty!

My only concern would be the risk of coming off - ie is it in a high traffic area/lots of buses etc?

As above - depends really. Do you cycle a lot now? I've kept cycling throughout but it was hardest in the first trimester when I was exhausted like I've never been before and just pushing the pedals around felt impossible. I used to get waves of nausea when I rode too (maybe to do with the helmet strap??) and around then was really struggling with needing loo breaks! All of these needs to be taken into account for such a long ride, as well as how easy you'd find the cycling, but will all be completely personal to you and your pregnancy. I didn't start feeling any of these symptoms till about 7 weeks, so you might need to wait a bit and make a late decision too. What kind of ride is it? Does it have support? If you had to drop out during the ride are there stopping places you could get back from?

I have done London - Brighton myself and I know I couldn't have done it at 10 weeks, but if you have a smooth first trimester you might be able to manage it : )

As above, what have you worked up to in training now? If you're already doing those distances you'll prob be fine, so long as you don't get hit by morning sickness and tiredness. I'm usually pretty fit but couldn't do anything in the first trimester as was throwing up constantly. Anyway might be worth checking with GP first!

Depends massively how much of a challenge a 38 miles was before you were pregnant! I have done 30+ miles in early pregnancy but that isn't a particularly epic distance for me under normal circumstances. Depends a lot on sickness etc as well - physically I felt worse in the mid first tri then I have through 2nd and 3rd.

I wouldn't really be any more worried about falling off than normal - I've still been doing the odd excursion through London traffic well into 3rd tri. I've really enjoyed the occasional cycle ride in pregnancy - although I can't even run for the bus now I can still glide effortlessly around on two wheels. Enjoy it!

10 weeks was absolutely my most exhausted week (and from reading pregnancy guides this is something they predict). I cycle to and from work every day (only a couple of miles) and on one of the days that week I had to get dp to drive my car to my work during the day and take my bike to go on with his chores, so that I could avoid the cycle home.
My normal cycling comfort zone is a 20-mile day out - so as Plateofcrumbs says it does depend on what you are currently comfortable cycling too.

I first noticed my pregnancy slowing me down on my bike at about 7 weeks but I rode my mountain bike and commuter bike to 38weeks. I just went slow and easy.

So like others said. If it would be tough for you to complete not pregnant then you will probably find it really tough pregnant. But if it's within your capability then just go slower than usual.

I didn't need to adjust anything on my bike till about 17 weeks.

The route is on an old railway line. So some bumps but ive never fallen. I complete the course in about 4 and 1/2 hours normally. But I do have 6 hours to get my medal. Was thinking of just taking it easy really. because its for charity didnt want to drop out. This will be my third child and never had sickness or nausea with either previous pregnancies. I do ride 30 miles every week but over two days.

I think it's fine if you feel well enough. But allow yourself breaks if you need them.

I did a 60 mile hike over 4 days in my last pregnancy, at 14 weeks. It was fab - best I felt all pregnancy. Just had to wee in bushes a bit more often than usual!

I don't see why you'd fall off more than usual, or why falling off would be more of a problem than if you did non-pregnant - baby is very deep in the pelvis at this point.

I cycled 36 miles round trip to a 34 weeks scan. And i'm really not that fit. (I'm a tortoise on wheels, actually). The docs congratulated me for being so keen.

If the morning sickness isn't awful & if you are used to the distance and take sensible precautions (don't overheat, do drink plenty, etc.) you'll be fine.

Do it!!!! You'll be fine. Under 12 weeks is a mare cause of the tiredness and I made the mistake of not running during this time but I think it would have made me feel better in hindsight

Do it!!!! You'll be fine. Under 12 weeks is a mare cause of the tiredness and I made the mistake of not running during this time but I think it would have made me feel better in hindsight