Cramp - prevention and cure....

jamlala
jamlala Posts: 284
edited June 2010 in Road beginners
I went out and did 20 miles last night (got caught in the thunderstorms but thats another story), and about 2 miles from home got mega cramp (its a genuine affliction, honest) in my right calf. After picking myself up off the road (figuratively, not literally) I got home, but I am wondering what do people find is the best prevention/cure for cramp?

And please don't say to not cycle.....
Cannondale Supersix 105 2013- summer bike - love it!
Cannondale CAAD12 - racing fun!
Trek Crockett 5 - CX bike, muddy fun!
Scott Scale 940 MTB XC racer.
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Comments

  • idreamoftailwinds
    idreamoftailwinds Posts: 134
    When my salt levels are low I get Cramp, not sure if that helps.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    I think regular stretches help prevent cramps. Before and after rides to loosen the body up, particularly if you're riding fairly early in the morning as the body stiffens somewhat overnight. I regularly stretch my calf muscles, hamstrings, quads as well as upper body muscles like shoulders, back and lateral muscles. I've never had any problem with cramps or pains.
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • rossere
    rossere Posts: 38
    I use Nuun tablets dissolved in water following advice from a previous post on this forum.
    http://www.nuun.com/

    They contain electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium that you loose when you sweat.

    Since taking them for the last couple of weeks I haven’t had a serious bout of cramp.
  • Garz
    Garz Posts: 1,155
    Stretching, good cycling position and a salt-based sports fluid swigged during the ride should delay any cramping. Also make sure you are eating/drinking decent meals (leading up to) to time the ride properly.
  • soveda
    soveda Posts: 306
    JamLala wrote:
    I went out and did 20 miles last night (got caught in the thunderstorms but thats another story), and about 2 miles from home got mega cramp (its a genuine affliction, honest) in my right calf. After picking myself up off the road (figuratively, not literally) I got home, but I am wondering what do people find is the best prevention/cure for cramp?

    And please don't say to not cycle.....

    I find I get cramp in my calf more when it is cold, leg warmers with a windproof part to the lower leg really help.
    Other wise +1 for all the hydration and electrolite advice!
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    soveda wrote:
    JamLala wrote:
    I went out and did 20 miles last night (got caught in the thunderstorms but thats another story), and about 2 miles from home got mega cramp (its a genuine affliction, honest) in my right calf. After picking myself up off the road (figuratively, not literally) I got home, but I am wondering what do people find is the best prevention/cure for cramp?

    And please don't say to not cycle.....

    I find I get cramp in my calf more when it is cold, leg warmers with a windproof part to the lower leg really help.
    Other wise +1 for all the hydration and electrolite advice!

    Again, stretching, especially when it's cold is important. The colder it is the tighter your muscles will be and the more necessary stretching is. I'd seriously try stretching before laying out cash on fancy pills and drinks. If stretching doesn't work then try them later, that way you can pinpoint exactly what is helping solve the problem.
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • daveclow
    daveclow Posts: 164
    ive heard the dioralite, or however its spelt, works well. its what you drink when you have the schits, it replaces the salts that your body looses in those circumstances.

    that tip came from an ex league 1 football coach :)
  • Hugh A
    Hugh A Posts: 1,189
    +1 for Nuun - and it tastes a hell of a lot better than Dioralite which is rather medicinal. Generally drinking plenty and eating enough while riding.

    Otherwise riding more rather than less helps. The fewer miles I have ridden in a year, the more likely I am to get cramp and it's not a coincidence.
    I\'m sure I had one of those here somewhere
  • Ain\'t no monkey
    Ain\'t no monkey Posts: 13
    I often get cramp during the night after rides. I kept it at bay during my recent LEJOG and I think taking electrolyte drinks probably helped.

    On return I started getting them in my feet during the night. I mentioned it to GP (I was there about something else) and he prescribed quinine tablets. Not had it since.
  • HeatherG
    HeatherG Posts: 17
    Ain\'t no monkey wrote:
    I often get cramp during the night after rides. I kept it at bay during my recent LEJOG and I think taking electrolyte drinks probably helped.

    On return I started getting them in my feet during the night. I mentioned it to GP (I was there about something else) and he prescribed quinine tablets. Not had it since.

    In a non-cycling related incident of cramp, my mum made me drink tonic water due to the quinine in it - worked a treat!

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