Cramping

[roostafish]

I have read that when muscles are simply pushed beyond their "normal operating range" they will cramp. The theory being that training and conditioning can extend the "normal operating range". Assuming hydration and mineral replacement is kept up, the performance of the various muscles we use when riding will improve hugely the more we ride.
Roost, have you noticed if you are cramping less as the season progresses?
For myself anyway, I know at the start of the season, even though I drink heaps, I get lots of cramps - but after more regular riding through the summer, the cramps "barrier" is usually pushed out to say 4 hours.

I have noticed that the more I have been riding, the less of a problem it is. Last month I did a three day epic mountain bike ride, with super technical terrain, and hours in the saddle, over 100 miles in all. I never came close to having a cramp. I was well hydrated, well fueled, and had the benefit of lots of rest, since I just went to sleep when the sun went down, and others drank beer. A further benefit was that I had plenty of rest stops on the trail, since I was far from the slowest in the group. Not like racing a motorcycle, but it was plenty long, plenty tough, and taxed the leg muscles pretty hard. I do think the intensity of racing has an effect too. Just the nerves, and the total concentration, and maximum effort.

 

[fury1]

been using endurolites from hammer nutrition and and havent had any cramping since ive been using them. they also take any cramping away instantly. got a few guys also using them with great results

 

[Eric K]

I have found drinking Powerade while riding eliminated my cramping, including the delayed onset leg cramping in the middle of the night after the ride

 

[lankydoug]

Cramping doesn't always have to be a result of dehydration or fatigue although those are most common. Another factor is mental stress as in nervousness causing tension. I have witnessed this in tennis matches with a lot of pressure on the outcome. A player experienced cramping early on in a match and then when this player has resigned to losing he relaxed and stopped cramping and began to play well to the end.

Here's an observation based on no data but it seems that most of the guys I know who are prone to cramp are also the high strung guys with leaner than normal bodies.

 

[roostafish]

That's an interesting observation about type A skinny folk! I are one. An Ectomorph as it were. My dad too. I wonder if there's a solution other than just getting super fit and relaxing!!

 

[webmaster]

It's funny mike - but the number one thing I was going to suggest to you is to focus on riding much smoother - go fast without looking like you are.... conserve energy. Riding - Zen Style...

I was thinking about riding behind you to videotape you - and focus on riding with a "more quiet" riding style.

Jeff

 

[bchatt]

It's funny mike - but the number one thing I was going to suggest to you is to focus on riding much smoother - go fast without looking like you are.... conserve energy. Riding - Zen Style...

I was thinking about riding behind you to videotape you - and focus on riding with a "more quiet" riding style.

Jeff

The gasser is the PERFECT bike for riding "zen style". I had mentioned in another thread the theory of "visualising yourself" through corners - I was actually only half joking!

 

[noobi]

At a XC I did last weekend, I got passed by a KTM, then followed them for a few km, and couldnt understand why they were braking so much ( its obvious with a KTM, it was squealing away ), I could ride at the same pace quite easily without the need to brake nearly as much as they were.

Barry, I still find it hard to believe you ride at all, im sure you just push your bike through puddles to make it dirty :/

 

[gg3]

BAAHAAAHAAA noobi 1-bchatt 0

 

[bchatt]

Barry, I still find it hard to believe you ride at all, im sure you just push your bike through puddles to make it dirty :/

Yeh, well, the reason my bike looks like it's hardly been ridden is because the only part that touches the ground is the tyres - unlike yours, on which all sorts of parts touch the ground numerous times a day, you know, like handlebars, footpegs, front mudgaurd, back mudgaurd, muffler, seat, radiator shrouds

 

[wence]

one all????

 

[webmaster]

Back on topic...

I have ridden with Mike and he is very, very fast and has a aggressive riding style. Squares off corners and gasses hard, etc. He has the ability to do it due to his excellent physical condition - but, I think, now that he is getting a little older - he needs to smooth things out and loosen up.

One thing that can force smooth riding is to practice on a grass track and time yourself to get a feeling for your "real speed". You can "feel fast" but not be fast.

And one thing about the gasgas power delivery is that, when set up properly, it has smooth and linear power that gets all the power to ground and you can go faster with less effort.

jeff

 

[roughside]

Another great read.
Cheers around the world to all the Gasers and cheers to the mederator who got this thread back from being hijacked!
Cramping and muscle fatigue is a big issue for all of us.

This comes from the "relatively"old guy returning to the sport after a couple decades of absence.

"We all know where we finished.....do you remember where you started?"
So thanks for the ideas, the links and the knowlege that we are all the same

 

[moto9]

been using endurolites from hammer nutrition and and havent had any cramping since ive been using them. they also take any cramping away instantly. got a few guys also using them with great results

I use the same stuff, in a capsule form and have not cramped yet, I take one pill the morning before a heavy rider...light rides I just use plane water.

I am weary of taking a lot of supplements and any added salt at my age...a triathlete friend was taking all sorts of stuff...and I mean bags of different colored pills.
He just went thru some major kidney stone removal sessions and his doctor attributed to the high salt intake as well as the other stuff he was taking...and not enough daily hydrating.

 

[GMP]

I know guys like this too, jugs of powder, bags of pills, etc. So much of this stuff is produced in unregulated facilities with questionable QC. Do you really know for sure what your taking? This scares me considering we are living in the day where some snot nose kid MBA can look like a hero by sourcing bogus materials from China to save a buck. I had a dog killed by food produced with contaminated Chineese wheat gluten. Think about it.

 

[moto9]

I know guys like this too, jugs of powder, bags of pills, etc. So much of this stuff is produced in unregulated facilities with questionable QC. Do you really know for sure what your taking? This scares me considering we are living in the day where some snot nose kid MBA can look like a hero by sourcing bogus materials from China to save a buck. I had a dog killed by food produced with contaminated Chineese wheat gluten. Think about it.

Good point !
I read pickle juice is good for preventing cramping, or getting rid of them.