Cramping is normally caused by the following factors:
- dehydration
- lack of electrolytes: sodium and potassium
- lack of experience (not enough riding)
- too much riding (serious overtraining)
- poor bicycle setup
- lack of stretching
- lack of other minerals (i.e. calcium)
"The calves were screaming at the top of the last climb"
Did you really
cramp - leg muscle in tight knots which didn't go away for hours after the race and had you hobbling around for some time . . . or were your muscles just working more than you were used to?
If that's you on the little, tiny bicycle there ... perhaps you might want to try a larger one ... might be easier on your muscles! No wonder you're cramping!!!
