Dang

Okay, I must admit that in the 35+ yrs Ive been riding a bike I have not been serious about it as I am now. I use to enjoy riding a bike and smokin a cigarette at the same time. To me riding was just a cheap way to get from point A to point B. Now that I gave up smolking again I find with the extra wind and both hands securely on the bars I can go a hell of a lot faster then I thought possible for me.
Anyway I decided to hit the hills as suggested in an artical I read where you shift to the 53T-Smallest cogT and climb the hills. Yea! I did 5 hills this way and still survived. So on my way home I ride nice and easy and I have to get off the bike to get it over some junk on the ground a construction crew forgot about. The second I placed my left foot on the ground after dismounting the bike the most horrible cramp attacks my left calf! OUCH OUCH OUCH! I cant move it!
Here I am standing next to and holding up my Trek on top of this trash heap with my left leg raised off the ground. And all I could do was just stand threre.
I tried to lower my foot but the cramp got pissed at me and started chewing up my leg. So while holding up the bike still I try to massage my leg. I can feel the muscle shake under my hand. I can't touch it. Hurts too bad. People drive by and wonder whats this ass-hole cyclist doing standing next to his bike with one leg off the ground.
Finally after a few minutes I was able to kneel down and stretch the muscle and then continual my adventure back home.
What am I suppose to do next time this happens?

JavaMan

The next time? Smoke a cigarette until the cramp goes away! I know these things because I also used to smoke and ride years ago.

Or, you could ease into the strength training a little at a time instead of all at once. The article you refer to probably said the same thing.

Tom

cjbruin

Drink more water during the day that you are doing that workout...or any day for that matter. You most likely got that cramp due to dehydration coupled with the intense effort.

Staying hydrated is often overlooked.

iovnow

How long has it been since you quit smoking? I know the many times Ive quit Ive gotten intense cramps.

The water suggestion is excellent. Plus the only time I actually quit smoking for more than a few days (3 months) I was drinking tons of cold water and eating popcicles (kept them in the freezer at work). I think that may have been the only time I didnt have cramps that I remember.

Also do you get enough magnesium and potasium? I get cramps all the time in my ribs because I dont get any...

Bop Bop

Besides drinking plenty of water try eating a banana on a regular basis, your body may not have enough Potassium.

Prosody

JavaMan is somewhat correct. Yes, yes, yes, ease into this. Mashing a big gear up hills when you are not in shape will be hard on you. Spin a little. As for the cigarette, well, JavaMan ought to know that the preferred smoke of cycling is a good cigar--won't burn away too fast in a good headwind.

Dang

I haven't had a smoke since 7-4-04! This isnt the first time for me. I have been a smoker since I was thirteen yrs old. And over the yrs I have stopped many times. Sometimes just a few hours and the most three yrs. But, well any ex-smoker and smoker knows the story. I quit this time with the aid of "Committ" lozenges. My wife is still smoking. I think her morning coughing fits help me decide to keep quitting.

Dang

What luck! I work at a grocery store! I can just have bananas for lunch.(But I hate those long lines.)

Dang

Swisser Sweets! Mmmmm Cigar. (Drool)

JavaMan

Good for you! I hope you will remain a cyclist and a non-smoker. Good luck to you, Dang!
Tom