I picked up a pretty good book called "The Diabetic Athlete's Handbook" by Sheri R. Colberg. This is a very thorough treatment of the subject and has specific chapters on type of activity. For example, the book covers running, swimming and cycling in the Endurance Sports chapter.
Most sports have a few diabetic athletes at the highest level. Cycling is certainly no exception. It's safe and beneficial to participate in these sports as a diabetic, but there are a lot of pitfalls to avoid and a lot of techniques one can employ to optimize performance. These endurance sports are ones that diabetics must be particularly attuned to their body's needs.
As diabetes becomes more prevalent in our society we'll become accustomed to seeing just what diabetics can accomplish. For example, the United States is one of the few countries that allow diabetics to obtain pilots licenses. Think about that for a second. Those who make the rules for the most highly-regulated sporting activity one can participate in understand the ability to manage this disease safely. Charlie Kimball races in IndyCar as a Type 1 diabetic. The possibilities are endless.
The book also does a good job of answering questions about the disease and how it effects the body. It is money well spent.
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