Post ride leg cramps
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Post ride leg cramps
After a long ride I usually make sure I stretch, and then when I go to sleep, I am awoken by stabbing pain in my legs due to intense muscle cramps. Is there anything I can do to stop this?
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Are you drinking enough water before, during, and after the ride?
Do you drink Gatorade, Powerade, etc.?
Do you drink Gatorade, Powerade, etc.?
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I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
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Muscle cramping is usually due to not stretching, dehydration, or loss of electrolytes. You seem to have the stretching covered, so I would concentrate in staying very well hydrated, and either supplement your water intake with some Gatorade, or eat bananas instead of whatever you are using as a pre-ride or in-ride snack. The potassium will keep you from cramping up. Also, if you take a break during a ride, keep it short (10-15 mins. tops), so that your muscles don't get too cooled off.
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I have been susceptible to cramps during and after rides. I usually try to consume something high in electrolytes as well as 16-24 oz of water prior to a ride. Food intake could be raisin bran, bananas, or Yoplait Nourishe. Of the two water bottles I carry, one is Cytomax the other H2O. I started this routine this year. No cramps.
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For me, calcium ended my leg cramps. I carry a couple Citrical (sp?) tablets with me on longer, harder rides and take one if I feel cramps coming on. Usually I'm back to normal in a few minutes.
Cramping is a highly personal thing so just experiment with what everyone suggests.
Cramping is a highly personal thing so just experiment with what everyone suggests.