Originally Posted by
RChung
I've had cramps whether I'm hydrated or not, taken electrolytes or not, am hungry or not. The one pattern I've observed is that I've never gotten cramps when I'm well-trained. So my working hypothesis is that it's not about something I can ingest, it's mostly about whether the effort is more than I was ready to handle. Volume corrects a multitude of sins.
Seconding this. Med tent studies have shown that neither electrolyte levels nor hydration level cause cramping. Cramping is from being out of shape. Ride more, ride more frequently. Strength work at the gym helps a lot also. Squat and leg sled until your legs feel it.