Road Cycling - Killer Cramps at night

Recently I have upped my training routine to around 200 miles a week. I feel great when I ride and fine afterwords, except at night I have been waking up a couple of times a night with terrible cramps in my calves. I have tried stretching before and after the ride, and if anything that has made it worse. Has anyone had any experince with this, any ideas on what I can do to stop it from happening. I am riding the same course I always ride, now I ride in the morning and at night. I wasn't exactly sure which forum to put this in, so hopefully this is the right one.

I get that early in the season when the intensity gets turned up. Have not had a cramp in over a month. Hurrts like hell but you gotta just ride through it. Way worse when it happens in the middle of a ride.

Could be a dietary problem. Probably lack of potassium. Eat at least one banana a day. Should help.
Alternative: magnesium tablets available a health food stores: 200 mg tablets 3 times a day at first, then taper down to 2 or 1 a day, depending on how you feel.
Good luck!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy & Kay/Zona tandem

i'd say also to drink more water... your p e e needs to be almost clear as an indicator of good hydration. bananas yes and as for the magnesium i think it's a good idea but start slow as it can upset your stomach at first...

Yes, it's a Potassium defiency that you have now that you've
upped your miles. A banana will not provide enough Potassium
to support vigorious activity so I'd suggest that you take
ONE 595mg pill of potassium each morning.

Do a search on this subject as I've detailed some of the reasons for this problem in other threads.

Good luck......

Cramping is a personel thing. For most people it's simply a hydration issue, for others it's a lack of potassium, magnesium or calcium, all of which are important more muscle contractions.

For me, I'm pretty sure it's hydration. I'd suggest starting with hydrating and eating "normally", but if this is not enough, you've gotta try getting more of the essential minerals.

I have started drinking a lot more, taking a double dose of vitamins and eating a couple banannas each day and the cramps have started decreased in frequency and intensity. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Yes, it's a Potassium defiency that you have now that you've
upped your miles. A banana will not provide enough Potassium
to support vigorious activity so I'd suggest that you take
ONE 595mg pill of potassium each morning.

Do a search on this subject as I've detailed some of the reasons for this problem in other threads.

Good luck......

I absolutely agree! I ride between 200 -300 miles per week and I was awakened at night by severe leg cramps. Bananas did not solve the problem but as soon as I took the potassium pills the cramps have stopped and never returned. Best of Luck to you!

This used to happen to me a lot when I was pregnant. After I had the babies, it went away. Is there any possibility..........? ;)

This used to happen to me a lot when I was pregnant. After I had the babies, it went away. Is there any possibility..........? ;)

Sure there is. YOU were sharing your bodies nutrients with
another person (the baby) and if you were border line deficent the baby would tip the scale in a negative way.

That said you may need more potassium and not feel it. So
go ahead and take a potassium supplement as it will only
help. If your body is ok it will take what it needs and dump
the rest. But it can't do that unless the mineral is there
in the first place.