Originally Posted by
mcallaghan
Marble is put in there as a tentative overnight stay. I haven't done as much riding as in my younger years, and the last few times i've hit the 40 mile point on a ride, my legs get (what I assume are) severe cramps in the same spot about mid-thigh. My Ireland trip - the two days I went over 40 miles around that 40 mile mark I had to take a break (or three) and do some good stretching.
I am not sure if its because my legs aren't used to doing that sort of mileage, but the first time it happened to me I had to get a ride home and couldn't walk for two days afterwards. The second time it happened I had to abandon my attempt at a LEJOG. The first day of my Ireland tour was 50 miles and sure enough, 40 miles in, my legs started to go. Managed to nurse them back but on my rest day - day 4 - I got a massage that 'hurt so good' when my legs were done.
Also taking into account that I'll probably be fully loaded. So I don't expect to do more then 50 miles in a day, unless half of it is literally downhill.
regular riding and just putting in the miles is always going to help with issues like you describe, assuming no weird physical issues, proper bike fit and all that stuff. Slowly increasing distances over time has always been how I've gone at it, and its to be expected to have muscle issues if you dont put the regular miles in--not a criticism, but more to say it is pretty normal (and especially when we aren't 25 anymore).
Proper stretching over weeks and months of riding really do help with cramps and whatnot.
re planning distances, I really do think its common to overdo it at first, if you have the time, be really conservative in the first bunch of days. Listen to your body and just go with what works, and hopefully pre-trip you can ride loaded and very gradually increase distances and be careful about cadence, nutrition, water intake, sleep and all that stuff that has a real impact on how you feel the next day. Do the distances you are comfortable with, if its 30 miles, fine. Enjoy yourself without overdoing it, that is the whole idea (and disregard what others have done distance wise, thats pretty important).
good luck prepping for this trip.