Left Calf Cramps

birdy247

Hi

When i cycle along at a steady pace i could go all day. As soon as I up the tempo, after about 4 minutes, I get a cramping in my left calf. At first i feel the bit where my calf meets my hamstring (back of the knee joint) tighten up, then my foot cramps up, and then finally it feels like my whole left leg is trying to twist inwards. I usually stop cycling at this point and stretch.

After a stretch the problem isn't so bad, then after a few 5 minute intervals it gets easier, but i am always aware of it. In fact, this limits my speed more than any other aspect. I am constantly thinking about if i push just a little harder its going to cramp.

This problem has been made worse by more expensive shoes. I have tried moving the cleats forward, backwards, angling them in/out, lowering the saddle, raising the saddle, adding varus and valgus wedges and nothing seems to help. Whats going on???

Fat Head

Likely you have a knot in the muscle there that triggers the cramping. Physios or anyone who knows what they're doing can work these out.

The complicated bit is that something to do with your pedal set up/cleat position could be triggering it.

chrisw12

When I first started cycling I'd get regular calf cramps. As I got fitter/better they went and I haven't had cramp for years.

I big headedly hypothesised on here that cramping was down to a lack of fitness, ever notice that cramping only happens when you up the intensity or are over doing it?

Anyway I'm eating my words a bit because after my daily rides I was viewing this site and my calf started to cramp, ironic! :oops:

I'm now nursing a sore calf, I'm using compression socks and they seem to giving some support/help to the area, you could give them a try.

birdy247

Could riding a single speed around London, and always putting the right foot down be causing this? It seems to have started around the same time i started riding the fixie. Maybe its because I have to push a big gear off at the lights, and always use my left leg as the intial mover??

Solution: use both legs????

keef66

Last year on my return to cycling I was getting calf cramps and I suspect it was caused by a combination of:-

Saddle just a little bit too high, so over-contracting the calf
Pushing too hard before properly warmed up in colder weather.
Pushing too hard with inadequate hydration.

Now the saddle's back at the correct height and I'm a bit fitter it's no longer an issue.

holmeboy

I too used to get cramp when I first upped the miles/effort on the bike, but very rarely now. But having said that I'm now getting calf cramp coming on in bed in the morning, does'nt come full on if I stretch them. Also on acouple of morning runs into work have had sore cramp once in right calf and a few times on left (no problem the last twice though). Stopping a walking relieves the cramp and once at work the slight pain ease's. i'm putting it down to working 12 hrs and the increased amount of time on my feet as opposed to any chemical inbalance or oncoming problem .