Cramping Problem

[The Saint]

MTB or Road bike? If you are drinking 2 Liters of water on a 50k road ride that is way to much - 50k MTB ride different story.

 

Mostly what this sounds like is you may have a bit of a salt deficiency as well as not taking in an electrolyte replacement drink on your rides. Most of what has already been said.

 

How much do you weigh? Are you a body builder or built lean?

 

30 - 50km a weekend would that be the length of a ride on a particular weekend day or the total amount of km's done over the entire weekend?

[KaKa]

I have/ still cramp.

1.the problem low electrolite from sweeting, too much water- use dolomite as

daily supplement, salt tab or rennie or cramp block during ride

2. conditioning or over "exurtion" riding longer distances during training

3. streching after ever ride,

with- no to less cramps

without- more severe cramping

 

these are the changes to my training/ riding that helped.

[StevieL]

I would guess the main problem here is that the training rides are:

 

1. Not at race pace

2. Not race distance

 

The muscles simply cannot cope with the punishment dished out on race day.

[MDW]

That is the problem without a doubt

[DaLoCo]

That is the problem without a doubt

 

BTW, MDW...32GI rocked on the Argus Thanks, the orange was perfect, not too sweet

 

Before the Argus my longest ride was 42 km at race pace. I finished the Argus with no issues, mostly due to using 32GI (as opposed to water and cramping in previous events) and eating some jellies. I do train about 250 km per week though, so my muscles are used to riding, but I firmly believe nutrition did make a big difference...

Edited March 22, 2011 by DaLoCo

[MDW]

@DeLoCo great to hear tnx

[peevee]

I suffered from severe cramping during the latter part of races but have managed to control it by ensuring I take in enough carbs. The recommended dose of carbs is 10g per 1 kg of body weight during the 24 hours before a race. I spent the day before the Argus literally just eating & planning my next meals. I sweat profusely & also tried Enos the night before and also before the race. However in my humble opinion, although certain people are more prone to cramping, it can be controlled to a certain extent by ensuring you take in enough carbs before & during a race.