Hendo252 

I've never had a cramping problem before, but lately I've had problems with calf cramps, particularly my right leg.

At first it was just a minor inconvenience, but today it was pretty uncomfortable.

What do you folks do if you encounter cramps on the road. Stretch? I tried that without much luck.

What can be done to avoid them?

FWIW I've been riding a bit harder lately than before, and suspect that is part of the problem.

I generally do some stretching after a ride, but not much before, and not much on non-riding days.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

-Tom in SoCal

Hapsmo911

I keep a few Hyland's leg cramp pills in my kit. They take 30 seconds to work, and they are all natural.

SlowOlympian

I've heard that it's a salt deficiency. going harder + hotter weather, and you sweat out the salt. i've read pickles or mustard work well from other members here. Try using HEED or other electrolyte products to prevent them. I've personally never had a problem though, and don't use any products on the bike, save for gels occasionally. Hope it helps!

rushbikes

People are going to tell you electrolytes & stretching are the solutions, but the truth is, there's no definitive body of evidence behind the actual cause of cramps, and it seems like people suffer from them for different reasons. Is there any rhyme or reason behind why you think you're getting them?

I've had my calves cramp up on me a couple times, though rarely. Usually avoiding sprints when (a) I'm not thoroughly warmed up and (b) when my body is exhausted seems to do the trick. Electrolytes don't make much of a difference for me and stretching only soothes it a bit after it's already happened.

I spoke to a massage therapist who said you're supposed to compress the muscle after a cramp. Tried it and seemed to just make it worse.

Carbon Unit

Occassionally, I get cramps in my left hip flexor and I punch it with my fist and it seems to work. A few weeks ago I got cramps in my calves. I had to get off the bike and stretch. Within a few hundred yards it came back. Eventually, it went away. I have heard that if I had been drinking Gatorade instead of water, it might not have happened because it contains potassium.

DS113

Seconded on the potassium, I cramp up a lot less when I increase my banana intake. (At meals obviously, not on the bike, though I have been tempted to stuff my pockets with fresh fruit on nice rides)

a1penguin

I've had calf cramps, but no more. I use Hammer Endurolytes in my water. I also take vitamin B supplement which is chucked full of minerals. YMMV.

Hendo252 

Thanks for your thoughts folks -- very helpful.

-Tom in SoCal

danvuquoc

FDA says no-no to using quinine sulfate for leg cramps.

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/.../ucm218202.htm

waterrockets 

Don't discount the possibility of a fit issue. Cleat fore/aft position can cause over-employment of the calf. If you've just started ramping up intensity, it could expose a fit problem. I generally have my axle centered under center of the ball of my foot (line projected across foot between first knuckle on pinky and big toes).

soma5

Your muscles increase in strength faster than they gain in endurance, in my experience. I get cramps only when I feel like I've reached another level of fitness and consequently ride harder/longer. For me, the cramps go away when I get accustomed to the higher level of exertion.

rebel1916

OJ, raisins, and most of all V8 contains lots of potassium too. I find they help. Also, 2 aspirin before exercising seems to help. Maybe because it's a vasodilator, but maybe its in my head...

therhodeo

I ride daily in hot hot weather and get plenty dehydrated and have way more cramping issues in early spring when its cool out. Lots of time cramping comes from exertion and lack of fitness and not dehydration or nutrition.

Roadie607

Just a thought, you can ease off on using your calf muscles and give them time to recover by sliding your rear towards the back of the saddle, allowing your quadriceps to do more of the pedaling. Worth a shot

Jfitalia

^ this right here its exactly what I was gonna say. It sounds like a cleat issue, so try moving your cleats back. It'll take the pressure off you're calves

ravenmore

This. You can go down a long road debating the cause of cramps. I've always been of the opinion they are mostly just fatigue.

DropDeadFred

pickles, bananas, whatever...if you have one and you want to stretch a bit i just stop pedaling and drop my heel and give my calf a good stretch and pedal slowly for a bit

rangerdavid

endurolites from Hammer Nutrition.











just sayin...................