Hi

About 50 miles into a 60 mile ride yesterday, both my thighs started twitching uncontrollably. The twitching was like heart palpitations but in the thighs. i.e not in time with the pedal stroke, and were quite severe but didn't hurt. Apart from the twitching, I was feeling fine and relaxed, not straining, no cramp, easy breathing and low heart rate..in fact i felt quite fresh having stopped for a 10 minute break only 5 miles earlier. I was also just easily spinning in a very easy gear.

It frightened me because I didn't know if this was a warning sign before something dramatic was about to happen if I carried on so I stopped and sat down by the side of the road and rubbed my thighs for a bit. What was causing this? Was it a warning sign and how can I avoid it?

Some background: I had been drinking and eating regularly throughout. A fig roll every half hour. Drinking water and energy drink frequently. I was not dehydrated nor anywhere close to bonking. I was actually surprised how well I was feeling. This was the longest ride so far since the winter of inactivity but I had been doing 15 mile rides for a few weeks since january and increased to 30 miles previous week which felt very comfortable. I wasn't planning on 60 miles but was just trying to see how far I could go comfortably to test how much fitness I had lost over winter and was surprised that I could just keep going that far without struggling. The 60 miles was not way beyond my ability since I had increased my longest rides to 80 miles last summer. The terrain was rolling hills. No monster climbs but quite a few short steep testers.

Any ideas or similar experience?

Thanks

The 15 mile rides were not limited to such short distance because of tiredness but because of the cold and I had been swimming since the new year so the winter was not totally inactive.

You know the answer. You have to build up mileage slowly.
Of course, I wouldn't know that from personal experience

Here's my usual answer to a regular question. Try taking some Magnesium. Magnesium and Calcium work as a pair in regards to your muscles. Calcium contracts your muscles and Magnesium relaxes them. Our diets are typically deficient in magnesium so thats the first thing to try. Its not necessarily a life threatening issue although you CAN drop dead from a sudden heart attack if you get really deficient in Magnesium.

Regards, Anthony

Rolaids contains calcium and magnesium. I keep some on the bike.