Cramp!!

[Nick]

When I first joined the club I suffered from cramps alot and after learnuing the need to stretch before and after a ride. I also use salt in my drink and also use enery bars etc...

But of late I have suffered more than once or twice with cramp.

What other advise can you more experienced riders give me.

I felt faily strong on Sunday and believe that if I didn't get the cramp I could have saved at leat 10mins on ride time alone and maybe another 10 at the refreshment stops.

I know I carry a bit more weight than 99.9% but surely that shouldn't make that much difference?

Nick.

[George]

I believe cramp is just due to sweating out electrolytic salts etc.

I used to cramp badly at the end of every clubrun until I started using Maxim Electrolyte drink last year.

Now I very rarely cramp, only if I sweat big time.

[Jon H]

Tonic water containing Quinine helps prevent cramp. Leave it to go flat then add some to your energy drink. But leave out the gin.

[Stu Merckx Man]

im not experienced, but i used to get cramps. the way i stopped them was like you, putting salt in the water. and now whenever i feel the twinge of one coming on i do the following--->

-if its the calf i unclip my foot, then stretch out my leg, lifting up my toes to stretch the calf (this is all done whilst on the bike).

-with the qauds, if it is only a small twinge then i get my nuckles and rub up and down pretty firmly to loosen it up. if it feels like its getting closer to cramping then i unclip again and pull my foot up to my bum. this can all be done still on the bike.

- if i feel my hamstring twinging then i do the same thing as i did for the calf, unclip and stretch it out and lift the toes as it stretches the hamstring too. also i make sure i stop pulling up on the pedals for a few minutes.

so whenever i feel i twinge in the muscle that feels like it could develop into a cramp i just do all of that, and then it almost always prevents a full on cramp.

[Matthew Ives]

I asked this on Cycling Forums a while ago and Ric Stern seemed to think that sweating and fluid loss is probably the least likely cause of cramping.

Apparently, if cramps are occurring during the end of a ride, it's usual cause is that you are asking the muscles to do more than they are accustomed to. To prevent it, you either need to train harder or ride easier races.
However, I did a bit of my own research on this and found out that the following can help :

Tonic water (as was said)
Magnesium
Potassium
Tums (some kind of chew able medicine)

In fact there is a long list of thigs you can try.
Check out this article:

http://www.roadbikerider.com/cramps.htm#Tums

[Graham O]

I have been suffering a bit recently with quite bad cramps. I got it in both legs on the London to Brighton after 50 miles or so, and then again on the Dragon ride after 30 miles. The causes are difficult to explain, but I thikn my main case was my riding position. My saddle was a little too low and a little too far back...

This meant that I was using my quads and hamstrings more than my calfs. This combined wiith me pushing very hard over a prolonged ride meant that I got cramp I think...

As for advice, i think your body needs to get used to your position and the way you are riding; so in the end, I believe that you need to do more training to improve conditioning..

I gotta say that the cramp in the quads hurts like hell, particularly when you have to ride through it !!

[Richard (Apples)]

Bananas , bananas and more bananas .

They contain Potassium to prevent cramp , thats why you see the players at Wimbledon eating them.

Also if you are crampaging ( ) in the calf , stay clipped in stand up and drop the heel one at a time and put weight on it . I find this a good way to keep cramp at bay

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote] gotta say that the cramp in the quads hurts like hell, particularly when you have to ride through it !!

[Nick]

Thanks Guys so all in all I need to get my lazy arse onto the bike more often (Training) and also get some Electrolyte drinks (maybe). And be my brave and stop whinging like A little Girl .

Thanks