The Dreaded Cramp - Advice please

[Chute55uk]

water is good for the hydration but doesnt replace the electrolytes and salt and minerals you also lose, thats why the energy gel worked, you should use a drink that has an isotonic factor to replace everything (i use isostar) google electrolyte replacement you will see

 

[RobMac]

Now you(s) are getting it, send the money you'd spend on Sports Nutrition bars/gels/drinks and I'll send you a wee packet of crisps

 

[lumos2000]

the triathlon coach at my local swimming pool says to drink gin and tonic, somthing to do with Quinine in the tonic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_water

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinine

and drink more milk, better than any sports drink

 

[Andy B]

During rides I drink SIS Go, PSP22 or stick High Five Zero electrolyte tablets in plain water in my hydration pack, I don't get cramps but still have the side effects of plenty of foul language...

Afterwards a chocolate milkshake is a great recovery drink, it's got pretty much all you need after a ride & it's much cheaper than the proper sports recovery drinks, plus it tastes way better

I'm testing a few gels at the mo, my favourite so far is ZipVit blackcurrant, it doesn't taste half as bad as some of the others I've tried which were like vomit blended with burnt plastic

 

[Woz]

I too get cramp; always have. While riding with effort and even doing nothing. My receipe that works if I know I'm going to do a long ride is:

- Gin & Tonic (for the quinine)
- Salted mixed nuts
- Salty salami
- Salty crisps
- Two magnesuim pills

During the ride I try to drink plenty, something Isotonic and every so often give the legs (especially the thighs) a real good stretch by clipping out one foot at a time. I too have found a good long wind down helps a lot. By far the worst is getting cramp in both thighs at more or less the same time, but I've learnt to immediately gear down and stay on the bike since I often found putting a foot on the ground made it intolerably worse.

 

[RobMac]

Woz that sounds like a party your having dude

 

[cyfa2809]

I put salt in my drink = home made isotonic (ish).

 

[Woz]

Woz that sounds like a party your having dude

...and that's just breakfast.

 

[gump]

OK, I am the grand daddy of cramp. The cramp master. Ninja cramp man. Damn, I have had cramp so much I could write the book on pain. While riding, in car on way home, in bed, much to the annoyance of mrs gump.

However, I put this down to 3 things, follow this advice and cramp will not return!
1) Get fitter. One main cause is pushing yourself much more than normal, muscles say no!
2) However, you can overcome 1) quite a lot by hydrating. Drink shit loads. All the time. DO NOT get thirsty. Do not care about Jonno taking one bottle for a day. Bollox, take a camel back and refill if needed. Drink what you need to, and dont care if you then end up pissing every 20 mins.
3) High 5 zero. Its magic. Half or one tab in a bottle works wonders.

There it is, do all three and you will not cramp any more. For what its worth, I have spent ages playing with warm ups/cool downs etc, but tbh, aside from a quick 2 mins stretching in the car park after a ride, its all of no real use (IMO!!)

Good luck!
Andy - ex-cramp master

 

[RobMac]

I give up :?