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Sounds really unpleasant, cramping all over.
Going slow(ly) for 600km is such a different thing to stumbling up a mountain while pushing 25kg of bike and the riding down.
And the puddle thing puts me right off.
c.h.e.-
Yeah, it was very unpleasant. I'm still pretty tired today so feel like I did some damage on that first day. Even pushing the bike up I was having to stop and stretch out. It's normal for me to be slow going up stuff but not normal to stop with cramp.
The filtered water is fine. Finding the puddles in the first place and then busting your fingers for 10min to get a drink are the bigger issues.
Also, don't add Maurten to a water bladder and expect it to mix...
hippy
I get a bit in. Not enough though, really. The problem with this year is I've been chasing AAA points to win the AAA trophy along with the missus. Lots of LSD, not much threshold or above.
I'd also maybe panicked a bit and done too much too late. ie. thanks to Queenie I got 2x10hr MTB days in last month as well as some shorter rides. I'd heat acclimated but it was quite warm (32C on my Garmin) but I normally handle that ok. Maybe with the loaded bike I was getting far less cooling and that played a part? 2.5L of my fluids was just plain water so maybe I was too late taking in salt with it? I dunno. I don't often have to deal with cramps but my calves, quads, hamstrings, even hip flexors were going. I was using the dropper just to get on and off the bike with minimal movement. In the pizza joint I stopped at before getting a hotel, my fingers were curling around while I was on the phone. I've had that in TABR before but not with all the rest of the cramp.
I might have a day off then go ride a little more of the route that's close to town. Make the most of the bike. There's always next year, right @skinny :)