Leg cramps during races

[BrandonF_]

Rennie dopers,..no pain no gain 

 

Ride 150km to race 75km

[Boerklong]

Dont know if you use Gu but that stuff aided in cramping.

[bullet77]

As soon as I feel a cramp starting I eat 3 Rennies with a few mouthfuls of water. At first I only took 1 when I felt a cramp starting and it helped nothing at all. 40k's into K2C I got cramps from all the uphill walking I think, took 3 Rennies and finished without anymore cramp pain.    

[StevieL]

What you need to remember is that your training load = race load.

So if you training for 3 hours at 24kmh average and suddenly you go into a race that takes 3 hours at 29kmh average, obviously your legs are going to be asking questions.

Maybe it's not the case, but it's where I went wrong when I started out.

 

Just make sure your training is equal to (or harder and longer than) your race day.

[Lone Rider]

As stated above - generally we push a lot harder during a race, than during training rides. Our bodies aren't used to that level of intensity for that duration of time, as a result our working muscles object. For me there was no quick fix i.e. Rennies, salt, electrolytes, or alkaline powders. Longer hours on the saddle, at higher intensities is what did the trick.

[NotSoBigBen]

As stated above - generally we push a lot harder during a race, than during training rides. Our bodies aren't used to that level of intensity for that duration of time, as a result our working muscles object. For me there was no quick fix i.e. Rennies, salt, electrolytes, or alkaline powders. Longer hours on the saddle, at higher intensities is what did the trick.

 

For me a similar experience except that I have always ridden lots of hours so decided over the last few weeks to reduce the hours (OK just a bit ) but up the intensity .... seems to have worked. Last year at the Fast One MTB race I  cramped quite badly in the last 2 or 3 K's but this year nothing actually felt good in the last few k's

 

Having said that my boet swears by Rennies

['Dale]

Train with higher intensity

Simulating race intensity

 

Cramp will most likely stay away

[Ispeed_V]

Rennies work wonders.

 

Depending on the area of the cramp, i.e. if in the thigh area, often some ice tucked into the shorts works as well.

 

Last thing HTFU and try and ride it out.

[ahmedbadat]

for me I only cramp if I go out too hard in the start and/or ride too fast, above my comfort zones, I learned to pace myself and now don't suffer with cramps anymore, maybe it will help you.  

[RocknRolla]

Rennies are the only sweets that do not give me heartburn.....

[Dubbin]

Lots of good advise already in this thread. Daily dose of slowmag would not hurt either. With me unfortunately in the end it boils down to overexertion. If I ride above my capability/ fitness level, I cramp. Then not even Rennies can save you.

[Kotiet]

Hi

Depends on the amount of electrolytes taken. We lose it at different speeds and even at a point where you dont seem to lose sweat..be aware. Keep hydrated and eat the salty potatoes at the tables..may just give you the power and enjoyment of no cramps..drink the right stuff..stay away from lots of sugars..You do not normally eat so much sugar during you work days, so why so much at the tables. Do what you do in normal working days, as you must learn to eat the stuff you need on the bike, if it a lot different than the ones you consume now.

Tested it perfected over months. Eat while you still are very strong, not when you feel light headed..just a thought.

[avatar]

I have to agree with the okes saying put more intensity into your rides, even though you do loads of km's over say a period of a month but at low intensity, if you hit a proper race and push yourself continuously you will cramp, your legs just arent used to pushing so hard. I used to come from road where I can ride 3hrs on the limit, did my first MTB race, started cramping on 40km in 60km race. Its the intensity and different muscles