CRAMPS: The clearest view I've read yet...

[Richard 1973]

Maybe all these work because you believe they work? It's all in the mind! :-)

[3wings]

sorry to say but if you checked it what did you check for get a proper fit.

 

they should check if you need arch support one cleat may need to be setback different to the other due to leg length, you made need a shim inside your shoe

 

check you strap tension to make sure your shoes are loose, sorry bud but leave it to the pro's its the best money spent. If you want to enjoy the ride get setup properly most importnt...

 

I agree that bike set-up is crucial, and money well spent but I also suffer from toe-cramping and 'hot-spots' 70kms or so into a race - yesterday's Medallion was a killer example.

I spent the dough on a pro multi-point set-up with the guys at Specialized and it made a huge difference to power transfer, reducing fatigue, upping my game and all that good stuff but I still get the cramps...

In desperation I went to see a podiatrist and had custom-made inserts - waste of time and money.

I eat an extremely healthy diet, supplement with Potassium, eat bananas, train efficiently, wear quality correct fitting shoes, hydrate adequately on long rides etc, etc, etc.............nothing works.

On one Argus, a few years back, a Medic gave me a coke mixed with a sachet of ENO - it worked almost instantly but it's only a cure - what I want to know is how to prevent the problem in the first place ?

 

I'd hang frog's bollocks around my neck if it helped - anyone know of anything less hectic ?

[chrone]

apparently marathon runners take salt tablets, starting using them after I cramped up (quads and hammies at the same time) on the 94.7. alomost completely gne with salt tablets (yes good old sodium chloride)

[SwissVan]

I agree that bike set-up is crucial, and money well spent but I also suffer from toe-cramping and 'hot-spots' 70kms or so into a race - yesterday's Medallion was a killer example.

I spent the dough on a pro multi-point set-up with the guys at Specialized and it made a huge difference to power transfer, reducing fatigue, upping my game and all that good stuff but I still get the cramps...

In desperation I went to see a podiatrist and had custom-made inserts - waste of time and money.

I eat an extremely healthy diet, supplement with Potassium, eat bananas, train efficiently, wear quality correct fitting shoes, hydrate adequately on long rides etc, etc, etc.............nothing works.

On one Argus, a few years back, a Medic gave me a coke mixed with a sachet of ENO - it worked almost instantly but it's only a cure - what I want to know is how to prevent the problem in the first place ?

 

I'd hang frog's bollocks around my neck if it helped - anyone know of anything less hectic ?

 

Foot hot spot / burning and maybe even toe cramp is most likely due to pressure on the nerves in your foot while cycling. Likely causes are shoes that are to tight, cleats that are to far forward, metatarsal joints that are dropped (to low) or maybe even seat height to high.

 

Was discussed briefly / recently on the hub here

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/135752-burning-feet-when-standing-pedalling/

 

Even if you have a had a "pro bike fit" session it does not mean that your set up (cleat position or shoe fit) is correct.

 

Please dont hurt any frogs

[Capricorn]

apparently marathon runners take salt tablets, starting using them after I cramped up (quads and hammies at the same time) on the 94.7. alomost completely gne with salt tablets (yes good old sodium chloride)

 

if you read up on all the anta-acids ppl are popping, the stand out element is sodium. Then look at all the electrolyte supplements, and the one thing missing in any meaningful quantity is sodium. Not saying it's the panacea for cramps as there realistically many reasons for it, but as the benefit of anti acids cannot be ignored, I'm looking at sodium as the key. Think about it, what do you taste like when you sweating your skin off?

yep.

[Jaco-fiets]

Enduren Cramp & Fatigue Buster tablets contains all the minerals required to prevent cramping and works amazingly well.

 

It is my opinion that these cramp tablets and powders are all a croc of ****! If you are not use to the intensity and duration you will cramp does not matter how much anti cramp tabs you stuff down

['Dale]

 

 

It is my opinion that these cramp tablets and powders are all a croc of ****! If you are not use to the intensity and duration you will cramp does not matter how much anti cramp tabs you stuff down

 

True

It is just placebo

[Ryan physio]

I dont struggle with cramps, but read this article last week.

 

Lo and behold at Hazeldean - started cramping on 6KM!!!!!!

 

So the obvious question is: does the temp affect this? Also, what is the best remedy to cope with cramps during racing?

 

I dont struggle with cramps, but read this article last week.

 

Lo and behold at Hazeldean - started cramping on 6KM!!!!!!

 

So the obvious question is: does the temp affect this? Also, what is the best remedy to cope with cramps during racing?

 

There is no proven like between temperature and cramping. That being said, if you sweat more you need to drink more as you are losing more fluid. Sweat contains small amounts of calcium,magnesium,potassium and sodium. These are important in muscle function.

 

Well laid out info re cramps

 

Clinically my experience is that cramping is one of two things

 

1. A metabolic problem. You are lacking something in the system.

2. You are pushing your body beyond what it is capable of. I.e too hard too soon

 

The tips given are all based on one of the above.

[JanJan]

During the weekend's Southern Skies 24 hour, I got awful cramps in about 4 hours (70 km). I soldiered on a bit, but after another 10 km realized it wont go away. I knew I was fit and strong enough for the event and very irritated that my legs just bombed out.

 

I drank 2 teaspoons of salt and went for a leg massage from a chiro student. He mentioned that salt-intake should start 3 days before high intensity/ long duration activities and that your muscles need to be in a relaxed state to actually absorb the salts/sodiums. So these salt-tablet quick fixes aren't very effective.

 

He also pointed out that I actually had bruises from the cramp contractions in both my calves and hamstrings, which really prevented me from pushing myself further for the rest of the day/night. This shows that you need to listen to your body (unless you are Jens Voigt.) and not push yourself too much.

 

So IMO if you get cramps, you should know that you screwed up your preparation, either by neglecting your salt/sodium intake, or your fitness level.

[F111]

do not take any Statins.

[jcza]

Dehydration & electrolytes have no plausible role in muscle cramps. Unfortunately, the real cause doesn’t market well.

[GreatGusto]

Brilliant. So simpletons like me can understand.

 

Train more

Drink water

Eat stuff.

 

 

Amen to this. I recall my conversions with mates after races...

 

Me: "So how was your race?"

Mate: "It sucked man, I was like cramping from the 40km mark until the finish."

 

 

My response until today: "That's not lekker man, sorry to hear."

 

My new response: "Maybe your should train more, drink properly and eat stuff, you stupid ****."

[Francis1]

I have read all to do with cramping as I suffer periodically from the %^$#. At 100kg's and pushing hard the seem to surprise me at around the 3,5 hour mark.

 

 

I now spend 45 min stretching twice a week, and also drink a lot  more water on rides and this has helped. Still use cramp ease before and during the race.

[Saltstick SA]

I also battled with cramps and tried a product called saltstick from the USA. It worked for me so I decided to import the product. It is replacing electrolytes in the same ratio that you sweat it out and comes with a realy nice dispenser.

The rand dollar and import duties is not helping to make it affordable but once you have used it you will be hooked for life.

Can get more info about the product on saltstick.com and place orders for South Africa on following website : www.fhrdistributors.co.za

[NivenT]

I have not read this entire thread, but clearly differenct things seem to work for different folk.

Eno works best for me. I carry it with me in those small sachets. Some folk use Rennies. Seems to indicate that there is a relationship between cramp and high levels of acidity.

Try it. You may be pleasantly surprized.

Drinking lemon juice and luke warm water after a long endurance ride, helps to improve your chances for the following day's ride.

[Guest Frail4Life]

Are you riding to get Cramps?

Or

Cramping to Ride?

 

All of you are just go about it all Wrong.

 

What ever style of riding you are doing, it is not enough!

 

I don't take any form of vitamins, minerals.

I eat basic food, nothing special.

If you need to take X Y or Z just to ride, you are just creating the mindset.

If I don't take my X, I am going to Cramp!

You are just fooling yourself.

 

Everyone says they went for a ride and started cramping after X amount.

Your body is at its weakest at that point.

Resulted from lack of training, you should double and triple the amount you normally do.

Stressed, you are not doing enough riding.

 

I am going for a ride

You Should too!