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Just wondering if anybody else has issues with getting cramp in their legs when riding. The first time it happened was on the dragons back at CYB and pretty much collapsed half way round. It started again yesterday near the end of Llandegla ride. It seems to be pretty much the whole of my leg that is affected. The back of my lower leg (not very good with muscle names) and also the top of my leg. They seize up completely and cannot bend them and need to wait a while for it calm down. I always eat before and during riding and drink throughout the ride (water with zero tablets). Anybody else got issues/solutions.
Maybe increase amount of tabs you use or change to a drink thats got more essential salts/minerals.
Get fitter.
Drink Irn Bru.
Yes, as said, fitness plays a massive part, so ride more... I used to suffer terribly with them.
Elete seemed to work for me, better than any tablets I tried.
Also I used to drink loads, something like 3ltrs on a 2-3 hr ride. I cut down the amount I drank (plain water, no additives etc at this point) and that seemed to help (but it could of been the fact I was getting fitter at the time), not sure if too much water can flush the minerals out your body...?
get fitter or try homeopathy.
More salt
I'm not sure getting fitter is all of the story - I'm definitely fitter than I was when I was 25, but I never got cramps then. Get younger might be a more accurate if less attainable goal.
In the last couple of years I have had some unbelievable thigh cramping - actually rolling into Castleton last Xmas with one leg stuck rigidly out to the side like an outrigger. The drive home wasn't much fun either.
Sorry - just sympathy from me - no magic cure.
I get cramps in bed the night after a ride and occasionally in meetings at work - raises a few eyerows when you jump out of your seat and start buggering about with your hamstrings 😀
Try in isolation to see if any of the following help you...a daily bananna , for potassium.....or some tonic water containing quinone...or try adding some walnuts to your daily diet...magnesium content...or back off the intensity of your riding for awhile so you sweat less... 🙂
Also if your riding over an hour take a proper energy drink and use it every 15mins or so...
Try in isolation to see if any of the following help you...a daily bananna , for potassium.....or some tonic water containing quinone...or try adding some walnuts to your daily diet...magnesium content...or back off the intensity of your riding for awhile so you sweat less... 🙂
Also if your riding over an hour take a proper energy drink and use it every 15mins or so...
Get fitter iv suffered in the past when iv been off the bike for a while injured once back riding the first few rides it would hit. If it happens just try and walk it off and keep moving it its the best thing for it
I had KILLER cramps in both legs - quads and hams!!! How do you stretch that out!
Was on the SS for the brass monkeys enduro, so no opportunity to sit down and spin it out! Was walking like Pinocchio up the climbs in the en!
Ow.....
DrP
Try drinking more fluids the day before the ride as well. Hydration isn't just about during the ride. Things like drinking alcohol may have an impact the next day. Tabs help but fitness, riding regularity, and prior hydration can help. I used to suffer cramping a lot, and I've found the above help quite considerably. Tabs won't help if you're not properly hydrated to start with. STW disclaimer in my experience etc. etc.
It really can be about ride fitness. If you're body is used to shorter rides you'll struggle over longer distances. Increases your distances and times and you should be ok.
Get a regular stretching regime. Really helped my calves.
The problem with stretching is it's really only a remedy and not a cure. I used to stretch religiously (no, I wasn't praying) before a ride and I'd still get cramp. Stretching when I got cramp certainly relieved the pain but it wan't a cure. Truth is, there isn't a definite cause of cramp it could be a number of problems rolled into one and can vary from person to person.