Haven't rode my bike for awhile. Went on a 20 mile ride over relatively flat sandy/gravel terrain. Riverside and saw a couple of waterfalls. Nice.

I drank about 2 bottles of water before the ride and then 2 during the ride.

By the end of the ride, I was somewhat dehydrated. But I was having major leg cramps. Thigh, hamstring, calf, shin, even my feet. Both sides.

I've had cramps - usually a particular muscle that just goes away after some massaging / stretching.

But these were relentless. One leg alternating. Sometimes both legs. And sometimes one muscle group, sometimes the whole leg.

This went on for about 3-4 hours with cramps happening at least one location every 10-15 minutes.

I drank about 4-5 bottles when I got back. And even had 2 cups of OJ.

Never had cramps this bad before. Hurt to a level that I would start to sweat each time.

Not sure why.... Age?

You need more sodium. Electrolytes. Brawndo if you will.

I use these for my rides on especially hot days and have not had a cramp since I started using them. They work great.

http://www.hammernutrition.com/endurolytes-extreme/



Look into to this stuff as well. It's also supposed to be a very good product.

https://osmonutrition.com

Look here:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/4560047724

I would recommend bananas, or other potassium source.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I would recommend bananas, or other potassium source.

This and continue to drink lots of water.

If it's been awhile since those muscles have really been used that could be part of it.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I would recommend bananas, or other potassium source.

^^^^^Yes, this!

I move five lines of 4" dia sprinkler pipe daily through the summer. It's hot as hell, I sweat a LOT, and though I drink a lot of water I often get leg cramps at night when I'm in bed. I think age has something to do with it (I'm 62 now) -- I worked a lot harder when I was younger and never had this problem. But it is what it is, and so after a couple of years of experimenting I've found some things that help.

I find that eating a banana every day, like Pipe Smoker suggested, helps a lot to keep the cramps away.

I also find that taking a calcium supplement (600 mg) every day, swallowed with a glass of orange juice, helps a lot.

And I salt my food liberally.

Try these things; they're low cost easy solutions and I think you'll be surprised by how much they help.

I live in the South where we add food to our salt, I drink water like a fish, I still get cramps...

More importantly though, you need a sodium supplement. And you need it during your ride as well if you're out for more than an hour. A simple banana ain't gonna cut it.

One tea spoon of yellow mustard will stop the leg cramps. A very old and effective remedy, usually works within one or two minutes.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I would recommend bananas, or other potassium source.

I used to get nasty leg cramps while sleeping. Why yes, I woke up IN PAIN. I now take these every morning and no more cramps.

https://www.walgreens.com/stor.../ID=prod3532-product

FWIW, I run a lot but never got cramps while running.

When I tried potassium as a stand alone, it didn't help much. When I used magnesium and potassium, that did the trick. That and sufficient agua.

I rode bike patrol for 9 years and I found a banana and dark chocolate helped a lot.

I've had wicked leg cramps for as long as I can remember. I started taking magnesium supplements a couple weeks ago and it seems to be helping more than anything else I've tried.

Salt, Ka, Mg. Ok. I'll get some.

I actually went to the grocery store that day but all they had were bananas from Mexico. I usually avoid produce from Mexico. And then the cramps got really bad later. But next time, cramp avoidance gets priority. I know - I can hear it already: "you're so picky, blah blah blah."

Wait, I think my Ka levels are generally elevated. If I get dehydrated, then does that raise my serum concentration leading to cramps? Does OJ and bananas then aggravate my cramps? Should I just be drinking lots and lots of water?

Drink pickle juice.

Pickle juice? As in juice a pickle? Or the solution in the jar in which pickles are immersed? I usually don't buy pickles - I make sunomono at home. I'll go buy pickles - any brand recommendations?

I'm not a cyclist, but I run/walk over 50 miles per week. As Balze Halze said, you need electrolytes. The Hammer Endurolytes work great, I used their Fizz tablets in my water bottles during the Peachtree Road Race (10k) on 7/4, no cramps. Matter of fact, while training for the Peachtree, I gave some of my Fizz water to a friend that was cramping, cleared them up in no time.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Pickle juice? As in juice a pickle? Or the solution in the jar in which pickles are immersed? I usually don't buy pickles - I make sunomono at home. I'll go buy pickles - any brand recommendations?

Slam down some of this stuff when you start cramping, and you'll be cured in no time.

(That's what they advertise anyway )

I'm kinda curious myself how well it works.

https://www.amazon.com/Pickle-...DTY00THQEP0T0DGFEXKN

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
Drink pickle juice.

This works well, and quickly, for me. Vlasic dill is my preference.

I have to take a potassium supplement anyway, because of using Lasix® (a diuretic); however, if I get cramps I start taking magnesium tablets for a while, too.

flashguy