HELP........My legs hurt

jamin*d

Hi everybody, please help.

When I'm out on a lengthy ride, i find that when I take on a steep or long hill I get a really painful burning in my legs. To the point that if i don't stop I get severe cramps! I drink plenty of water and stretch when I'm warm so is there anything I could do to stop the pain!
I'll be very grateful for any help, thanks.

supersonic

Lactic acid build up.

jamin*d

How do I sort that out?

supersonic

http://www.24hrfitness.co.uk/fitness%20 ... -acid.html

jamin*d

That page helped a lot! Basically I just gotta man up n beat it!
Thanks for your help and time!

trekmtb1081

Cramps often mean insufficient sodium (salt). Have you tried isotonic drinks after about an hours riding?

Lucozade sport, SIS etc.

Worth a shot.

ride_whenever

watch this then hand in your man-card until you're realised what a girl you're being and MTFU'd

[edit]sorry wrong vid[edit]

Gypsum_Fantastic

Is your saddle too low?

When you sit on your bike and put your heel on the pedal at the bottom of its stroke your leg should be straight

dunker

1/4 tsp of salt in 2 litre camelbak might help, spinning a lower gear rather than grinding a high one might help too.

tubaonwheels

Might help if you did a bit of stretching....
Or just get a bit fitter, my legs feel a bit tired after 3 or 4 hours hard riding, but I try not to complain

rhyko7

use less power ( less resistance) use an easier gear so you are spinning the pedals a bit quicker, if you use a hard gear all the time your muscles will give up. just try and avoid using so much force through your legs

Briggo

tubaonwheels wrote:

Might help if you did a bit of stretching....
Or just get a bit fitter, my legs feel a bit tired after 3 or 4 hours hard riding, but I try not to complain

You can stretch while riding, just take it easy for the first 5 minutes, like you would with warming up a car.