The Dreaded Cramp - Advice please

[AdamAsh]

Hi everyone.. Cramp hit me hard today, need advice

Went out for a ride round Gisburn today with a few of my mates, not been on the bike for a couple of months now due to one thing and another & wanted to try out the new rig.

I had a couple of bananas before the ride and had 2L water in my camelbak, packed sweets with me.

After around 6-7 miles my calfs started cramping up, I had been drinking quite a bit of water already at this stage as the climbs were killing me. I had a rest and a stretch and all seemed good so we carried on.

At about mile 9 both of my thighs instantly cramped up, I had to jump of the bike it was that painful and have another rest. Agony is not the word, I couldnt get rid of it this time but we were only about halfway round so I had to continue..

One of my mates gave me an energy gel which instantly took the cramp away, only for it to keep returning.

I ended up drinking my camelbak dry and just pootling along in granny gear until we finished.

I occasionally get cramp on rides but this was something else, never experienced it so bad before.


What do you guys do to combat cramp? I really don't know where to go from here now. Still sat at home with burning thighs


Really need some help with this

 

[RobMac]

Ready salted crisps before a ride.
(Low fat) (Small packet)

 

[RobMac]

Is it cramp or lactic acid :?

 

[Russell]

In my experience, lack of conditioning is more of a factor in causing cramp than poor nutrition. I think you just need to get some miles in your legs... Sorry!

 

[AdamAsh]

In my experience, lack of conditioning is more of a factor in causing cramp than poor nutrition. I think you just need to get some miles in your legs... Sorry!

That is a deffo mate.. Im going to get out as much as possible

 

[AdamAsh]

Ready salted crisps before a ride.
(Low fat) (Small packet)

Good idea

Its deffo cramp mate (i think )

 

[RobMac]

Adam I can hear them all on here "tutting" salted crisps, well what
have you got to lose nothing and its cheap just try it.
My definition of cramp, a involuntary spasm usually in muscle/tendon
which last for minutes extremely painful usually writhing around while
holding affected limb accompanied by loads of bad language.
Lactic acid, burning sensation inside muscles which comes on when work
load is increased and maintained, will usual die down when you reduce the load or get off the bike, sometimes muscles effected will remain "pumped" for some time after (well my six pack does) again this condition is usually accompanied by grunts'n'groans and bad language.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Changing position and getting off and running around a bit sort it out if it is not acid build up, hydrating with properly adjusted drinks will help prevent it to some extent.

I have enormous thighs, and used to suffer badly when climbing, I eventually worked out it was taking large strides that did it, I changed to small steps and it solved it.

Similar can be done on a bike by changing down and spinning a while.

 

[cyfa2809]

What about stretching before a ride?

 

[chrisv40]

I never suffer cramp during a ride but if I have a long drive home afterwards I have occasionally had it really bad in my hamstrings when getting out of the car at home.
I often get cramp in my calves or hamstring in bed the night after a longish ride too.
I've put it down to not warming down sufficiently.