Cramps...

[L84dinr]

No, not the group.

What causes cramps. I have been riding a 45 mile loop lately, at 3X a week, and have had no problem. This is a hilly loop with some steep hills, and I try to remain in the 80-90 RPM range, 'cept for the hills, and I almost always ride in the small chainring. Today, at the hotter than hell, (100K for me) I cramped at the 29 mile mark. Haven't had that happen in AGES! It was my left leg, in the back of the thigh. For the previous twenty some miles i had been pushing the big chain ring and felt OK. After the cramp i stayed in teh small chainring and kept my fingers crossed. When ever I felt a cramp coming on I "ate" a Gel and tried to drink a lot of water. About two miles from the finish I cramped up again and had too get off the bike. Didn't think I was going to work it out. Finally walked it out and pedaled my butt across the line. What a drag.

Anyway, What causes cramps? Could it have been my muscles weren't used to working the big chain ring? Lack of essential electrolytes? Combination of both. FWIW, I work outside and SWEAT profusely, especially lately with all the 100 degree days. I drink lotsa water, and will usually drink some Gatorade in the evening, but I always thought I recieved enough salt etc... through a good diet. I s'pose that is what i get for thinking, eh.

Sorry for the length,
Thanks for reading,

[Needs Help]

Q: What causes cramps?
A:
I drink lotsa water
I work outside and SWEAT profusely
my muscles weren't used to working the big chain ring

Try a sports drink with electrolytes like Hammer Heed. Plain flavor is the best because then you won't get sick of some sickly sweet taste, e.g. Gatorade, after a few bottles. Although, I would think gels and water would provide the same benefit. Maybe you are not using enough gels per water bottle.

If that doesn't work, weisan said the Hammer Endurolyte caplets, which are electrolyte tablets, solved his cronic cramping problems:

http://www.e-caps.com/za/ECP?PAGE=PRODUCT&CAT=ELECT&PROD.ID=4037&OMI=10104,10082,10047&AMI=10104

There was study published this year in the New England Journal of Medicine that said drinking too much fluid and exercising for long periods of time can be very dangerous, i.e. can cause heart attacks, because it dilutes the electrolytes in your blood.

Good luck.

[Kevan]

so what do I know?

Not a lot. I think there simply too many variables to establish how people cramp. Too little hydration.. not enough banana.. too little sodium.. not enough warming up and stretching.. excessive effort.. who knows?

Similarly, I've had rides where the pre-romp bowl of Wheaties did me right and then the next weekend I'm left completely busted. Who knows why?

[Elefantino]

For the first time today I tried something called "GT sport tablets" by Enervit. I had cramped a last weekend and the weather was similar, so I gave them a shot when a riding buddy offered. No cramps, but I can't say that it was because of the tablets. I felt pretty good for the last 15 of a 60, but can't say it was because of the tablets, either.

At $4.99 for a tube of 12 — yikes! — I think they're a little pricey for me. Maybe others who use them can shed more light.

[saab2000]

www.hammernutrition.com

[catulle]

Cramps are the result of low potassium. Bananas are rich in potassium. Of course, you can get potassium pills at any drug-store.

[saab2000]

drinkalot.eatenuf.spin.dontpullifudonthafto.

words I heard when I was a junior. Still valid today.

Drink enough. With electrolytes. Try the Hammer stuff. It is pretty good.

[Needs Help]

Cramps are the result of low potassium. Bananas are rich in potassium.
I've eaten bananas both before and during rides as short as 50 miles and still suffered severe cramping. Bananas never worked for me. :(

[tuco]

I've eaten bananas both before and during rides as short as 50 miles and still suffered severe cramping. Bananas never worked for me. :(
As a rule, cramping is not due to a potassium deficit. It's a sodium problem. I will try to post some links (cyclingnews.com, velonews.com, tri-geek sites, etc.).

[L84dinr]

The taste gets old fast. Plus sometimes I'll burp them doods up for the reminder of the ride. they are a last resort which I didn't even resort too today.

Needs Help... I remember the thread re: Weisan and the endurolyte caplets. Will have to check them out. I am lousy about taking pills, can't remember from one day to the next.

SAAB, as for pulling, i was really taking it easy and trying to ride as many wheels as possible. Today was a wierd day. I had trouble finding some one to work/pace with for any length of time, usually isn't that difficult, Ended up riding the majority by my lonesome, no biggee though. I have never seen so many cyclists. Kinda cool. Saw three Serottas and one Peg.

Speaking of witch doctors. My wife is a pharmicist. I've heard about some of the potions she used to mix up in the hospital. Had to wear gloves for some of the drugs, powerful stuff.

Thanks y'all. I will look into adding more electrolytes into my diet/drink routine.

[tuco]

Anyway, What causes cramps?

Here are an assortment of links that I collected recently to help a friend. I call him a real NaCl-head! :p


August 7, 2006
Exercise and effective salt replacement
http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness.php?id=fitness/2006/sodium_intake

Fitness questions and answers for August 14
I wonder if you can help. I find that I am susceptible to cramp in my legs on longer or harder rides. Some sources say that a shortage of salt and electrolytes can lead to cramp (others say it has no effect) so I have upped my intake. This does not seem to have made a difference. What else can I do to reduce the risk of cramp?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2006/letters08-14#Cramp

http://www.sea2summit.com/training_article.asp?articleID=8

http://www.velonews.com/train/articles/4190.0.html
http://www.velonews.com/train/articles/3760.0.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/sports/playmagazine/04hydration-advice.html

(see last snippet)
http://ag.arizona.edu/NSC/new/sn/gssi03sum.htm

http://www.brettlee.net/articles/sweat.php

[Needs Help]

Needs Help... I remember the thread re: Weisan and the endurolyte caplets. Will have to check them out. I am lousy about taking pills, can't remember from one day to the next.

You take the caplets on rides with you and then swallow them periodically. It's not something you take when you aren't cycling.

[weisan]

Help-pal is too kind to remember what I said. :D And guess what, I picked this up from another eminent forumite: Too-Tall. He knows this stuff much more than I do. Consult him, he will share with you freely what he knows, he's my idol.

It's true that I suffered from leg cramps for a long time and quite frankly I have tried quite a number of different things, most of which requires "too much hassle" and don't work consistently. The Endurolytes from e-Caps had worked for me. The way I am using it now is to wait about an hour or so into the ride, then pop two tablets in the mouth at every subsequent hour you are riding, I have been cramp-free since then. Don't forget the normal water intake, food replenishment and stuff. That still needs to happen. My problem is I did all the "usual preparation and follow-through" but yet still encountered cramps. Once I started using e-caps on top of the normal routine, it's gone.
So, I can only attribute the success to e-caps. This is not a promotion as I recognise that the experience may differ from person to person. This is just my personal experience.
I am just glad that my search for the solution is over.

weisan