Over the past two years I've been having more frequent cramping in my calves during hard training or rides. The left side is more prone but the right side will also cramp if I begin to protect the left side my putting more force on the right leg. The issues occur later in workouts or rides and is partly due to me sweating profusely. I have been able to preventively take Hammer electrolyte capsules for races and long training sessions by opening them up and putting 3 capsules in each bottle of Gatorade. Recently I've been getting the cramps at indoor cycling classes and while riding the rollers for longer efforts (1+ hr @ 100+ rpm) at home. Changes of pace or high cadence will bring the cramping on. Recently I was on a outdoor 2.5 hr fix gear ride @ Z3 intensity and at around 2 hrs the cramping occurred, and at the last indoor training session I had to sit out the last 25' of the 2 hr workout that had various HC and OG drills due to both calves cramping. On the road I can usually work through the cramps by going out of the saddle for a bit.

A little about me: I'm 61 and train to race Crits, Track and RR's in my age group and Master's fields. I am 5' 11" and weigh around 190 lbs and drop down lower in-season. I am pretty strong and probably have a body fat >10%. I have been racing for 6 years and have a coach develops my the training program. Three years ago I had my left ankle fused and that is why I believe the problem originates on the left side. I do have a core/resistance program that I do from Dec until July that includes strength training. I eat a healthy diet and don't avoid sodium or salts when choosing food.

The cramping only happened once in racing where two years ago in the Barry Roubaix Gravel Road Race I began to get a cramp near the end of the race after we had to be off the bike for a few hundred yards. I was able to work around the cramp by focusing on using my right side and going OTS.

Any one have any ideas on preventing the cramping or remedies to help the body overcome them?