how to deal with cramping?
Moderators: robbosmans, Moderator Team
i have a century coming up this sunday. 100 miles with 5.7K ft of elevation. not uberly steep.. just one little challenging climb after 90 miles that avg 9-10%.
i haven't ridden much this year due to our 3rd baby and past couple weekends rides, i've had bad cramps... the kind that make your legs and toes straight as hell and your seeing muscles popping out of your quads that you never knew existed type of pain.
i know it's not sure exactly what causes cramping.. but i heard from other mates i ride with that they take raw honey (messy during rides), TUMS, sportsleg or saltstick. one tried EPO-Boost and claims it works for him.
would like to hear what you've tried before that worked for you. Thanks.
i haven't ridden much this year due to our 3rd baby and past couple weekends rides, i've had bad cramps... the kind that make your legs and toes straight as hell and your seeing muscles popping out of your quads that you never knew existed type of pain.
i know it's not sure exactly what causes cramping.. but i heard from other mates i ride with that they take raw honey (messy during rides), TUMS, sportsleg or saltstick. one tried EPO-Boost and claims it works for him.
would like to hear what you've tried before that worked for you. Thanks.
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not true
I'm fit but I find that when I do a long hard ride, I sometimes get cramps in my calve (right hand calve) (always at night whilst sleeping after the ride)
not enough electolites, but what I have started using is a home made drink that I found on another forum:
juice of an orange
juice of a lemon
1/2 a teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt
2 tablespoons or organic maple syrup
top up with coconut water
I make enough to fill a 750ml waterbottle, and use it on rides of over 100Km
since using this, no more cramps
so.... you need electolites (even if you use the tablets that you dissolve in your water bottle)
Trek Emonda SL6
Miyata One Thousand
Miyata One Thousand
Even though it has a questionable reputation I find Gatorade works very well for me, and coconut water. There's a certain mix of sodium and potassium that seems to work well in different levels for different people. I never cramp when cycling though, only endurance swimming.
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These 2 responses are congruent - a long hard ride by definition is not a normal stress.
My understanding of the evidence in this area also suggests that in controlled experiments, no interventions (electrolytes, etc.) modify cramping, and that AJS is correct - although to be more precise, it is not necessarily lack of fitness, but engaging in exertion that it outside your norm.
Also, on a side note, quinine has a black box warning due to its association with life threatening arrythmias! Although this is the pill form, not the very small amounts in tonic water.
In case anyone is interested Trevor Connor of the Velonews Fast Talk podcast did a whole episode on cramping.
http://www.velonews.com/2017/08/trainin ... ked_446593
http://www.velonews.com/2017/08/trainin ... ked_446593
packet of yellow mustard.. stuff works
Pickle Juice shot also helpful
Pickle Juice shot also helpful
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2018 BMC TImeMachine Road
2002 Moots Compact-SL- getting aero look makeover
2019 Parlee Z0XD - "classified"
2023 Pivot E-Vault - completed project, full Xplr package
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