Calf cramps - bumpy road

larkim
larkim Posts: 2,485
edited February 2014 in Road beginners
I know that cramps have a myriad of different causes, such as poor electrolytes, hydration, tiredness etc etc.

But has anyone experienced calf cramps which seem to appear solely when riding through potholes / bumps in the road?

I'm building up mileage on my first road bike (Triban 3) and every time I go out my left calf gets a nasty cramp at some point during the ride. It always seems to coincide with hitting a poor part of the road surface (how do you guys cope with the roads without suspension!!) which I think makes me tense my legs either in anticipation of the bump or as a consequence of hitting it. Fortunately I only have toe loops on the pedals so I can get the foot out easily and ride along like an idiot with one leg sticking out until I can stop safely and stretch it out.

Is this a common cause of cramps? Or is it just me?

Matt
2015 Canyon Nerve AL 6.0 (son #1's)
2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (son #4s)
2013 Decathlon Triban 3 (red) (mine)
2019 Hoy Bonaly 26" Disc (son #2s)
2018 Voodoo Bizango (mine)
2018 Voodoo Maji (wife's)