Cramp, cramps !!!!

[MyGT]

so, SBR is the training place. now, are we going to have the same problem as we do at the cradle????

[TriGuru76]

Training hard and being fit is obviously important. When I started XC racing I suffered badly from cramps in the last 30mins of the races. But getting fitter sorted this out.

Heard about the Rennies being good when I last was in SA (2008).

Over here in the UK the XC racers that I know swear by NUUN tablets. Not sure you can get them in SA though.

 

Thanks Sputnik

 

NUUN products will be availabe from January 2011 and should sell for about R75 per tube of 12 tablets.

As you said you just pop them in your bottle and they fizz away. best part is they dont stay fizzy as with barroca type fizzy tablets.

 

So for those interested. Drop me a line and book yours when first shipment lands.

If the order is big enough i will maybe land stock before Xmas.

 

nauticalnorthtraders@gmail.com

Edited November 22, 2010 by TriGuru76

[Madone]

Guys have ridden sub 3's since I first did 94. Yesterday was sub 2:35 and never once cramped. Train like you plan to race and train increasing your intensity in the weeks leading up to the race. Your eating regime before the training rides forms the basis for your race as do your fluids you take with on your race and rides. Never try something new in the week or night before the race. The race should be the culmination and peak of your training and you should know intimately what you are capable of. Other issue is if you are going to try and keep up with the pack and it is faster than you normally ride then you are at major risk of cramping.

[TriGuru76]

see link

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/90221-nuun-optimal-hydration-tablets/

[Eldron]

There are only so many things that cause cramps, but generally if the cramps occur only in the legs, then I am afraid to say you re racing at an intensity you are not used to in training. This can mean medium, hard or slow, you have different types of muscle fibers in the body fast and slow twitch. When you train you should try and do sessions which cover all. As an example at Comrades most runners cramp not because they are not good at speed or pace work, but because they are not good at running longer distances at a slower pace. Different muscles come into play in a variety of conditions and events. You need to ensure your muscles are conditioned to cater for all of these.

Second most number of reasons for cramping, over hydration. Yes taking in too much water with no electrolytes and diluting your levels. Dr Ross Tucker has actually shown that most athletes and the testing they did was at 2 Oceans showed that sweat is hypotonic, so salt concentration levels increase when you sweat, as you sweat out more water than salt. Food for thought, does slight dehydration cause cramping not according to him. Anyway, number 1 above is most likely.

 

later

M

 

This post is bang on. I'd say 99% of cramps are caused by using your muscles beyond their conditioned state. In my experience most beginner and intermediate riders ride at 70% for the bulk of their training - then they get to a big race, want to ride a good time and use their muscles at rates >80%. Examples are trying to stay with a faster group to get a faster time, trying to head up the hills to fast etc.)

 

The best cure for cramps is interval training - shorter bursts between 75 and 85% - the intervals can range between 30 seconds and 10 minutes. The length and intensity don't really matter just try and match your training to your racing (ie - if you'r doing a hectically hilly ride - go to Suikerbos and ride the hills at the tempo you would in a race).

 

I'm a fine example - I rode my first lap of the 94.7 at my usual race pace and survived without cramps (maybe a twinge or two). Then I did a second lap for charity and cramped like a mofo for the last 40km. Why? I can't remember the last time I rode more than 100km - doing 200km was well beyond my conditioning.

 

More training does not = less cramps. Specific training = less cramps.

[Klappertjie]

so, SBR is the training place. now, are we going to have the same problem as we do at the cradle????

I don't think so! We cycled there 4 weekends leading up to the 94.7 and it was a pleasure riding everytime. It is a one way road around the reserve and I have read on the hub that some of the official vehicles disregard the rules. Best would be to take it easy around the corners, watch out for game and vehicles parked around blind corners.

 

Entrance: R10 per vehicle & R20 per person

 

I'm not a fan of riding on the road and if I have to, I go to SBR.

[TriGuru76]

SBR Awesome sighting.

 

earlier this year i was very fortunate while riding at SBR. as i was crestign the one hill a Caracal Rooikat dashed out of the long grass on the side of the road stalking a pheasant.

 

This is a very rare sighting as you wont see them in the wild very often.

 

So who knows, maybe you are lucky when you go training out there.

[CAAD4]

SBR Awesome sighting.

 

earlier this year i was very fortunate while riding at SBR. as i was crestign the one hill a Caracal Rooikat dashed out of the long grass on the side of the road stalking a pheasant.

 

So who knows, maybe you are lucky when you go training out there.

 

I hope you were not wearing a white pant....

[TriGuru76]

I hope you were not wearing a white pant....

 

HAHAHA no, but man you've got to love this country.

And for those who have never had the chance to ride in Groenkloof Pretoria, it's like a petting zoo. So much wild life to see and its SAFE as can be.

[CAAD4]

HAHAHA no, but man you've got to love this country.

And for those who have never had the chance to ride in Groenkloof Pretoria, it's like a petting zoo. So much wild life to see and its SAFE as can be.

 

I have to agree. We had a guy out on contract here a few months ago. Took him riding at Groenkloof to see the animals. He could not believe that he got within 10m of a family of giraffe and saw various antelope and buck for less than 2 Euro's. This was during the WC when the Dutch were moored at Fountains. Only thought about it afterwards. Could have mad a nice tidy upgrade fund charging 20 Euro's to ride with wild animals....