Cramp / Cramps / Cramping

i nearly died because i got major cramp in my calf and couldnt pedal but needed to stop.

other than stretching it out has anyone got any tips for soothing the pain after
or simply avoiding getting it.

oh and being sat in an office all sweaty and aching is really not fun!

Cramps are mainly caused by dehydration and lack of electolites, so salts e.t.c Drinking lotts of water should help, may be a pack of crisk to give you some salt if you are low in salts. I was getting really bad cramps i my thigh a few months ago, started drinking more water and it has made a big difference.

cheers mate.
luckily where i have just started work i have a delicous water cooler right next to my desk.
i am hydrating myself at this very moment.

2.7.1 What's causing me to cramp?

(i) Hippy wrote in aus.bicycle:

From _my_ research and trials I found the following:

    * Drinking large amounts of bourbon and coke the night before a ride is not good if you don't rehydrate.
    * Drinking coffee all week is not too good either. Though, apparently, if you are a regular coffee drinker, dehydration is not an issue as your body makes up for the caffeine's diuretic effect.
    * Taking in insufficient amounts of magnesium, potassium and other electrolytes is not good. Make sure your diet includes them.
    * Lack of sleep is one thing I noticed increases cramping. This is why the bourbon-fueled, all nighters aren't so good pre-race.
    * You should always try to pedal on descents, especially long ones, otherwise you stiffen up (your legs! mind out of the gutter!) and can't power up as quick. Just soft pedal down hills.

> [Cramping] only shows itself on longer or harder rides

That's probably because your body is already low in electrolytes and water and longer/harder rides just exacerbate this situation. More water and more sleep. I don't drink coffee any more but I also don't often drink sports drinks. Water is much cheaper! I'll usually mix up a gatorade after a long ride, but I drink water on the ride. Cleaner bidons too. :)

http://thehippy.net/Cycling/a_b_faq.htm#Sect2.7.1

thats some pretty good info thanks!
yeah i need to stay off the coffee!
dont drink too often as im 17 and definatelydont look 18!

haww purr
Soon.. soon you will join the ranks of the chronically pissed..
haww purr
haww purr

lol i used to work at a hotel and it was free booze after we had finished for the evening.
it abused my education for a while!

Hydration is important... If you're prone to cramping it's also good to stretch regularly (in general and before/after exercise). Good to do that anyway, not that I do.

joe_b
dont drink too often as im 17 and definatelydont look 18!

Don't worry mate, most of us are still drinking on street corners...

I am 26 and got asked for i.d in my local cornor shop over the winter, I was quite chuffed.

How the hell do you stop it. I'm regularly commuting 24 miles round trip on my Pompino and at about the halfway point on each journey I've started getting cramp in my calves. I can sort of stretch it out if I pedal heel down for a while but I'd rather not have it to start off with. It tends to come on when I'm riding on the flat or downhill. As soon as I get to an uphill where I need to work harder, it seems to ease. My fluid intake is ok, and my diet is alright. I've searched and not really found anything, just thought that some of you who put real miles in might have a few tips.

Any ideas gratefully recieved.

Peace

Kurt

First of all HTFU obviously:)

I dont do big miles 80k at a time on the geared bike. I never suffer from cramp.

Perhaps check your position?

What usually causes cramp?

it could be many things, from riding position to lack of salt.

if you're getting cramp after 6 miles then you're in trouble!

try some Nuun tablets in your water and see if that helps

it could be many things, from riding position to lack of salt.

if you're getting cramp after 6 miles then you're in trouble!

try some Nuun tablets in your water and see if that helps

+1 Nunn tastes not bad either, replaces salts lost through exertion etc.

http://thehippy.net/Cycling/a_b_faq.htm#Sect2.7.1

Hydration, electrolyte balance (that's potassium, magnesium, calcium and not just sodium!), sleep, training, exercise load, positioning all play a part. Do you stretch post-ride? Do you eat bananas? Do you drink before, during, after the ride?

Check your saddle height. If it's too low you're gonna be getting all sorts of aches and twinges. Raising it up a bit also gives you a more aero riding position. Useful for those head winds!

My fluid intake is ok, and my diet is alright.

As per hippy, it's not the intake, it's the contents. I used to ride Audax in Canada with a paramedic who said that, based on his own medical expertise and some research, chocolate milk was an ideal way to prevent cramps. I think he was trying to justify his love of chocolate milk but the theory stood up pretty well.

If it hepls, he used to ride fixed up to 400k and easy 600k rides.

@Merak-Will def try to HFTU!

Up 'til 2 years ago I was riding 40-60 hilly miles on a geared bike 2-3 times a week without probs. I guess 2 years off the bike has taken it's toll a little and maybe I'm pushing myself harder than I should even on this short distance. Every ride in is a sprint with me trying to beat my previous time.

As I said before I'm riding to work almost every day now over the past 2 months but the cramps have only started coming on in the last week or so. I'll check my seat height etc but I'm not sure the problems in the bike fit. I probably just need some longer rides as well now at a more relaxed pace to get my cycling muscles up to scratch again.

Sounds like too much too soon, or too fast too soon.
Slow down a little and let your muscles adjust. Taking a day off once a week is beneficial if you are doing lots of kays.

yeah lets talk about The Cramps, much more fun

Guys giving head to mics while in tight pants.. wrong forum Conan :P

I have done a search of the forum regarding cramps and have found some interesting info but I was wondering do any of you get calf muscle cramp during the night when you are asleep? I never get it when riding only during my sleeping hours. As you know it can be really crippling and ruins your nights sleep. I seem to remember an ex GF saying something about eating bananas?? Although I drink quite a lot of coffee I also drink a lot of water too. Had a recent check up at the docs and blood pressure, cholesterol, blood are all fine. I wonder if being a smoker has any bearing on it?

trying to remember my GCSE PE stuff.

crap is just a buildup of lactic acid eh? sooo. it means you arnt getting enough oxygen to your legs... so could be something to do with smoking.

the potassium in the bananas might help, seem to remember hearing about that before.

laying off the coffee would also help with sleep no?

I sometimes get it just as i tuck myself into bed.
But it never lasts that long, just have to wait it out to get some sleep.