Hey 'toof, long time no hear. I think the only time I've had leg shaking after running hard. Then again, I eat a banana every day, which I think helps. And I try hard to carry water for the ride, if I'm going for any length of time. For quite some time, I'd get a flat of water bottles from Walmart, rather than using a real water bottle--refill them a few times, and toss after a while. [Like a bottle/month--I haven't been riding that much lately. Keep the rest in the car, it's way cheaper than stopping for water when traveling.]

Well, my bike came with a water bottle, so I've just been using that.

Ah. I found them too much of a pain to wash out, that and they always seemed to have a bit of smell--plastic or otherwise. Then again, when I was in college, I really wasn't into that whole "washing dishes" thing.

The human body is an amazing piece of machinery that somehow even trumps the bicycle in its elegance, but not in its simplicity. The human body requires a lot of variables to be in spec in order to work properly. Hydration and nutrition are two of the most obvious. Don't forget about riding position, rest, and the value of pacing your effort. In time, your body will adjust to being used this way, and you will in turn learn what works for you. What you're experiencing is your body saying "Whoa, there, buddy! This isn't right!"

Part of it is just the usual routine of muscles coming out of hibernation after years of neglect. Your body doesn't know that's "not a problem" and will complain anyways. There could easily be other problems, though, like a seatpost that's adjusted wrong, not enough nutrients to sustain the effort you're putting out, or something else.

I agree with the others, though. Keep riding, remember to stretch before and after riding, watch your nutrition, and get plenty of rest. If you're like me and went from a 10-year-long sedentary lifestyle to a suddenly active one, there will be a LOT of changes in what your body wants. Learn to pay close attention to its cues.

For me the shakes accompany low blood sugar.

I get the shaking when I forget to bring the stuff my wife asked me to get on the way home.

GreenAnvil

Breathing too many diesel fumes!

I think the shakes come on in response to a work load relative to conditioning. I'm in pretty good shape, and every so often, I do a workout called Tabat Squats (Google it for more info). To summarize, it's very demanding, and when I'm done, I'm collapsed on the floor, with my legs shaking, totally out of my control.

mparker326: BIOdiesel fumes.

I get shaking if I'm put under stress while riding. I don't race, so when I do run a race, I'll notice the shakes in my legs. It's super endorphines + stress for me.

Not a problem with shaking, but thought I would post on this thread anyway instead of starting a new one.

Last night my legs were cramping while I was sleeping, and it kept waking me up. Does this mean I need to take a break or something, or take it easy to let muscles rebuild? Not enough hydration perhaps? Or something else? I am n00bish so take that into account.

I'm thinking stress - you're feeling anxious and not entirely in control, worried about making a mistake, worried about going down, worried about every little thing. Relax, take it slow and enjoy yourself - soon you'll feel like you did when you were a kid when riding a bike was effortless and the bike felt like it was part of your body.

Could be lack of proper hydration and/or diet, could be lack of proper stretching and warm-up/down, could be lack of recovery time, or all of the above.

Cramping? Fluid & 'lytes.

I think I've been good about hydration. But I'll guzzle a lil more just incase

Chipcom, stretching...duh! That could be it. I used to run 10 miles a day when I was younger, and always stretched after, thanks for reminding me about that. I eat well, probably too well, my habits are catching up with me in middle age

What are you doing with your feet when coasting? I can get my legs jumping by sitting on the edge of a chair and going up on the ball of my feet. Maybe it is just the angle of your legs at that position. Try just moving your heel onto the pedal or pushing your heel down if you've got clipless pedals.

eat and drink more before your next ride. you either got dehydrated or had a minor bonk.

Perfectly normal for the amount of riding you have done. Congratulations, you're normal!
Most of the other things are for legs with a lot more miles on them.

That's normal when you ride a lot more, or a lot harder, than you are used to. If someone has been riding easy for a long time and do the hardest hill they have ever done they could cramp at night. If someone is used to riding 6 miles and they jump to 40 miles they could cramp at night.
It happens to most people when they have not been riding and just start out. Especially if you do a little too much at first. After riding enough the other things like poor hydration can be a problem, but you're not there yet. You can't train you legs in a few days to go really hard for a long time. If you cramp at night take it a little easy or take a day off. Don't forget to take a day off once in a while. Take at least one day a week off, you will get stronger faster.