Originally Posted by
carpediemracing
When I do cadence work the fronts of my shins get fatigued quickly. It's a sign that I waited too long.
I learned on my last long ride that even when I try not to exert pressure I still do. In my case I was cramping my hamstrings so I didn't want to pull up. I didn't realize that even when I don't "pull up" I was still lifting my leg and that was enough to cause me a lot of discomfort (and send rippling cramp-type clenches through my hamstring). I ended up stopping and putting my foot down because I couldn't undo that lifting action, even if I concentrated on it, and I was afraid of having one of those falling-over cramp attacks.
When your hams start to cramp, instead of trying to ease them off, try pushing forward more with your quads at the top of the stroke. That takes the load off the hams, which, as you note, you can't do consciously. Chew a Tums, too. Spoken as one who has spent his share of time rolling in ditches while mice run up and down his legs under the skin.