ehvnewbie

Hi guys,
I am new to road cycling. However, I have always biked to school and work place with my normal flat bar city bike.
1 and a half month ago I bought a used road bike. I only intend to ride recreationally. I only rode it for 4 times so far. (I have been busy but I'm planning to do more rides in the future.)

I have some questions:

• These are the trips I've done so far:
  I am aiming to be able to do more distance and with higher speed as well. What do you guys think of those results for a newbie, and how can I improve on this?
  
  
• On my third trip I had a right calf cramp at around 35K, and I stopped for a minute. But then I continued and forced to finish the trip. After that, I felt the pain for several days and I had to completely rest my leg.
  
  2 days ago, I made that last trip of 50K, and again I felt cramp (right calf) at around 38K (not as painful). This time I didn't fully stop, instead I put it on lower gear, spinning on higher rpm, and relying more to my left leg, and I completed the 50K.
  
  What could be the cause of this calf cramp? Could it be caused by dehydration? Because all those rides I did without any breaks and no intake of fluid/food in between. Somehow I always forgot to bring my drinks on the bike . And strangely it only happens to my right leg.
  
  Would it be also possible that I need a proper bike fit? I haven't done that, but was planning on doing that.

I hope I can get some feedback from you guys, and thanks in advance!!

10 Wheels

Most cramps seem to come from Over Exerting a muscle.

Try standing and pedaling every few miles to stretch your legs as you ride


A Little Tonic Water with Quinine helps stop my after ride cramps.

RacerOne

You're on the right track, hydration and fit are certainly big factors in cramping.

berner

Same here. Lately I've been using Sport Legs tablets, to very good effect, prior to and during a ride.

ehvnewbie

Thanks guys for the replies!! I'm going to try and ride some more K's hopefully during the weekend.

As I am still a beginner, would it be better for me now to ride a shorter distance and push my speed limits, or try to to get more distance/mileage??