calf cramp relief of a fixed gear
 

Was doing a ride today on a local bike path and about half way through I started to get some nasty cramps in my calves. Since I'm riding on a newer bike I think part of the problem was seat level so I adjusted that during the ride (lucky I had my tools with me) but I was curious what you guys do during a longer ride to relieve calf cramp while riding, aside from getting off and stretching that is.

Drink more water. That usually helps me.

Sounds like your saddle may be to high. This causes you to have to reach for the pedal on each pedal stroke. Making the calf work harder than the rest of the leg. For cramps, just eat, drink and if you are really given it heck, maybe some type of electrolyte supplements.

Hope this helps.

+1 Cramping muscles is a sign of dehydration.

Thanks guys. I was looking at my bike in the house and I came to the same conclusion about the saddle being potentially to high. I'm going to bring the saddle down a bit and see if that helps. And I think the only water I had today was from the fountain about 6 hours ago (whoops!). Didn't even think about the correlation between water and cramps, I just assumed that I still needed some tweeks.

Why would you blame your bike fit for a biochemical imbalance/lack of fitness?

He came to the conclusion that his seatpost was too high.

+1 on the saddle height.

The only times I've gotten cramps were from having my saddle way too high.

Yup, my saddle was way to high. I adjusted it again last night. The ride this morning felt a lot better. Althought I should have drank some water was well.

Thanks for the quick response everyone.

I've been getting a lot of upper gastronemic (calve) cramps after long rides. Mainly my left. Seems I can't get this new build dialed in. Tried moving the saddle back as well, and lowered my seat. Maybe I have to lower it more?

Anyone have the most useful link for proper saddle height? Followed sheldon brown's article, but seems as if I'm doing something wrong. My calf feels like it wants to explode after a long ride and cramps up uncomfortably for a few hours after my ride.

Saddle height should be adjusted so that at max leg extension a plumb line dropped from the knee should pass through the ball of your foot.

If your pain is asymmetric i'd wager it may be a stroke problem where you're pointing your toe more on your left than your right. This is in the absence of prior injuries or you having a shorter left leg. Always stretch, also.