Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
Never on a brevet other than a populaire, possibly because randonneurs know better, or because they don't go over LT long enough to cause cramping, or because they are well trained. If it were electrolytes or dehydration, you'd think that'd show up on a 1200 when it's well over 100°. Instead, all we get is heat exhaustion, never cramping.
You haven't ridden on brevets with me then! If I don't drink properly, I'm walking barefoot up and down the shoulder of the road trying to get the cramps out of my toes. But I discovered that when I feel the faintest twinge of a cramp coming on, if I grab my bottle and drink ... and drink quite a bit, not just a little sip ... that seems to ward off the cramps.
Plus, last summer I cramped in my quads on a century ride. That was a combination of dehydration (I was badly dehydrated) and over-exertion because not only was I not drinking anywhere near enough, I was also riding harder than I was used to. I think that was the first time my quads have ever cramped.