arakhnidef

A few hours after a hard ride, if I contract my thigh muscles pretty hard, and hold it for maybe a little bit less than a second, the thigh muscles lock up in that position. It stays like that for a few seconds or a bit longer depending how sore I feel. And If I don't try to get the muscle out of that position, it will stay locked for about 6 seconds, start twitching and then little by little it will relax itself in steps. It doesn't just go limp, it releases itself bit by bit.



Now, i work as a messenger which means I put in a lot of mileage per day (50-70) but it averages out to about 13-14 mph average. I've asked other messengers, but they have know idea of what I'm talking about. I'm asking you roadies since I assume you all do a lot more concentrated and intense riding then I do. Despite the low average, 4 out of 5 days I come home with sore legs.

Have any of you tried to do this, or can do this? Is this a good thing or bad thing to be able to do so. Maybe Going through cramps and letting them relieve themselves on their own, could be good for reducing soreness the next day, because after two of the cramp cycles I cant do it anymore.

grafsk8er

god only knows why you would induce a cramp in your legs. all i know is that when i ran in high school and i got a cramp anywhere in my leg, specifically hamstring or calf, i had to take a couple days off. my teammates would all do the same, and so did kids i used to run against. as far as i'm concerned a cramp does more harm than good.

last real cramp i got was junior year in my right calf, i had to take off about 5 days and then start back up running easily again. i could definitely feel the residual effect.

thegunner

why would you ever want this?

mrvile

I'm pretty sure I can do this at any time, and I'm pretty sure most people can. Of course, who would want to?

MarkWW

i'm going to agree that this probably isn't a good thing to be able to do. i'd say make sure you warm down well at the end of the day and also check your electrolyte levels. salt and potassium and all that. that can sneak up on you after a long day of riding.

liquefied

I can do this. Well, I've done it by accident several times after long rides. It does not feel good though, why would you do it intentionally?

Reynolds 

Are you a masochist or what? (NTTAWWT)

Cactuskid

yeah and some people can turn their eyelids inside out

arakhnidef

Its not painful, but I have this superstitious idea that If I let the muscle go through a cramp and then relax itself, I feel like its fast forwarding through the healing process. And sometimes I just do it for kicks. Putting the muscle through hell so that it resettles itself in a much better way, sort of like Electroconvulsive therapy

coasting 

i can cramp my hamstrings by getting onto a particular chair after a long ride. I'm not sure how to exploit this talent as yet.

mrvile

Okay just got back from a short, 20 mile ride. If I point my feet down enough, my calf muscles will cramp. I know this. But instead of inducing such pain upon myself, I will stretch instead. Far more productive.

thomast

The worst cramp I had was after a long ride, in the shower. I was checking out my calves, flexing them and turning my heels in to check out all the angles. The pain was so intense I had to sit on the shower floor massaging my calf...stupid vanity.

awesomejack

uhh, if its not painful, its not really a cramp. Any cramp in your calf or hamstring will nearly send you to the ground.....

umd

um, no

ls0725

bring out the cuffs, chains and whip.

gwchem

Real cramps can be excruciatingly painful. I get them when I don't drink and eat enough, or something's off with my salt intake. I have no idea why anyone would ever want to do this to themselves.

Quel

I can do it with my left toes for some reason, but that's it. I know what you are talking about though.

ahsposo 

So, are you the guy in the Mercedes ad?

coasting 

i hope there is a prize in this competition. that really hurt.

molecularman

I can induce cramps after a tough ride. I have to go out of my way to do it though. I've never been big on pain for pleasure....

nahh

I can always make my left foot cramp by pointing it. I don't do it on purpose, though.

chado445510

I can cramp my right calf by flexing JUST the calf, and not the quad or anything. I can do it anywhere, and it just needs some stretching afterwards.

halfspeed

Arches of both feet for me.

skybono

Accidentally I did it. But not intentionally.

curiouskid55

Cramps are not theraputic. I would question the intelleigence of someone who would... never mind that would be rude.