I'm not sure how to word all of this, so proceed with caution as it's probably going to be annoying to read.


Touring Clydesdale here, will be a Clyde for the foreseeable future unfortunately; I still enjoy riding and light touring. However, I have been gun shy over the past year after a hiccup on my 2024 OTET attempt.


I had successfully completed the entire route in '21, but last year I had major cramping on the first day at mile 55 out of 71. We're talking sudden, out of nowhere, laying on the ground almost in tears cramping. I usually struggle with remembering to hydrate and eat during a ride, but never to a medically concerning level. When this episode first hit me, I started to think back on my consumption and the ride in general, and realized I that had consumed a very small conti breakfast at the hotel and, once on the bike, I:

-never finished my first bottle of water (and barely touched my second bottle, which contains DripDrop)

-ate half a banana, half a pulled pork sandwich, and a handful of trail mix

-didn't need to pee at all, not even once during the ride

-had salty sweat stains all over my shirt (I always sweat, but I am not usually a salty sweater)


Anyway, after about 15 minutes, I was able to get myself upright and pedal very slowly to the next trailhead where I slammed a Gatorade and a bunch of pickles/pickle juice. It was slow going and occasionally painful for the remaining 16 miles. Once I got to our hotel, I thought a refreshing dip in the pool would do me well, as I thought I was feeling better. I almost instantly cramped and thought I was gonna drown. What a spectacle and really a wild day --- not one I would care to repeat. The cherry on top was that by morning, I had a sore throat, congestion, and a wall of rain had moved in. We bagged the rest of the trip.


I am well aware that I am not the picture of peak male fitness and maybe shouldn't be out there doing stuff like this, but also laying on the couch ain't helpin' me either. This year, locally, I have been riding about as strongly as I have in previous years and have had no issues. I want to do OTET this year and get my revenge. But I do have some concerns about a repeat episode, though. Our Day 1 will be even longer (78 miles). The plan is to take it a bit slower (so as to not overexert), drink a lot more, make sure I'm eating, and stop and stretch every so often.


Is there anything else you might add as far as maybe a supplement? Something to carry on the bike besides pickles and mustard packets in case of sudden cramping? I have been hearing about magnesium and iron supplements and might consider a multivitamin or something. If nothing else, can you pray for one hell of a tailwind? Thanks.


:flame suit on: