stopping cramp -- please help....

rob777

Hi there,

Was wondering if you could help...

I've got a 130 mile ride coming up, but in training am getting serious cramp at 70 miles. Had to stop twice today as siezed up. I took electrolytes, a couple of gels and carb powders in water on the ride.

So my question is, what would you do to prevent cramp on a ride, and if you do get it, what's the best thing to use?


Thank you.

alihisgreat

1) Proper nutrition and hydration
2) Training


looks like you've begun to address 1).. but still make sure you're doing it properly.. i.e. 500-750ml per hour of liquid.. appropriate amounts of carbs per hour for the intensity.

and with regard to 2).. your body needs to become accustomed to longer distances... doing more than normal is enough to give you cramp.

Dave_P1

Adding a nunn tablet to my drinks help me stop the cramp

dw300

Are you riding the 70 milers at 70 mile pace, or 130 mile pace? And are you eating and hydrating during the training as you would when doing the 130 miles?

I wouldn't have thought a 70 mile ride was long enough to cramp up if you're a regular rider, unless you're really hammering it and sweating buckets.

phreak

In my experience most of the times that I've suffered from cramp have been down to a lack of fitness rather than a lack of nutrition.

aspender

Three weeks ago I did a fast 75 mile club ride and cramped up towards the end

Two weeks ago I did a very hilly 100 mile sportive and cramped up in the last 20 miles.

Today I did a fast 100 mile flat sportive and had no cramp whatsoever.

I reckon my body is just used to the effort now. In absence of definitive medical cause I'd look at just getting the miles in before I look at anything else.

Slack

Sounds like you're taking much out of the legs early on in rides. Start slower.