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How long do you ride after getting calf cramp? I did a high pace 25k loop Saturday Afternoon, and had cramp in my calf right at the end.
It's sore now, but Im wondering whether to leave it until it feels normal in a few days, or if a easy ride this evening would stretch it out and help ease things?
Thanks
If it's just cramp, get your electrolytes sorted and off you go. If it's a strain, take it a bit more carefully.
Cramp actually tears muscle fibres so take it easy until the weekend. Gentle massage will help; find it easier in a hot bath.
Tip for cramp sufferers: stick your head under the bedclothes or cover your nose and mouth with a paper bag and re-breath your own CO2. It works.
(very) gentle riding can help with recovery.
Massage will help. I have a "tiger tail" which I when I'm sore. It is hard to answer what is best as only you know how much it is hurting. If it is genuinely painful then I'd rest it. Ultimately rest is going to do little if any damage, riding could make it worse.
I don't believe that electrolytes are vital to avoid cramp, from what I've read it is more down to fitness but some people swear by nuun, high5 etc. and it makes them happy so what the heck.
After 20miles my calfs starts going cramps.. Must be fitness, tried everything that there is to avoid it but there aint. I leave it that some riding days is not the right time.
Not sure if this helps but I used to get cramp in my calf after 20 miles when I changed my road bike. Cured it by lowering my seat slightly. Never had it again since.
It's one of those subjects which is riddled with wives tales.
Speaking in depth with a friend who is a sports scientist/xc/cx/roadie pro, cramp is hotly debated amongst the sports science community, simple answer is that there is not conclusive evidence supporting just about any commonly believed theories.
General consensus however that is is something that is going to happen when you are doing exercise levels which you aren't used to.
Hydration/electrolytes/bananas/compression wear can and may help, but isn't really the answer.
general consensus amongst scientists is that cramps are caused by pushing a muscle(s) beyond its neurological capacity, i.e. you pushed the muscle harder than it had been before and you lost motor neuron control and the muscle contracted really hard. I've had cramps that have caused tearing in the muscle, one so bad it caused a tear in my calf. They're not 100% certain though. I was told the other day that's there's not been a study ever with a control group that has suggested electrolytes make any difference to exercise induced cramps.
Rest it up until it feels good again!