Over the past few months I've occasionally had my calves threaten to cramp up on me while climbing. The hills I climb are typically 0.8-1.4mi long with an average grade of 5-7%, so I'm not really climbing mountains here. They aren't full on cramps where the muscle fully contracts and I can't straighten my foot without serious pain, they are more like warning twitches where my muscle contracts for a half a second then releases, but it does it every second or so as I pedal while seated.

So far I've been able to fend these off by doing one of two things:

1. Straitening my foot in my pedal stroke, trying to keep the bottom of my foot parallel to the ground all the way around. This seems to keep the muscle stretched enough to prevent a full on cramp
2. Getting out of the saddle and pedaling for about 20 seconds or so. Not sure why this works other than changing the muscle recruitment based on the position. My toes are actually more pointed to the ground in this position than when I'm in the saddle. *shrug*

Are there other techniques to help fight off these types of warning cramps during climbs? Once I hit the top they almost always subside and if I have a mile or more of flat or descent before the next climb, they usually don't return.

2-3 times/week do one-legged calf raises on a stair. 30 or so reps each calf or do them until failure.

When you ride, always relax your ankle. Pedal with the heel of your shoe. Concentrate on feeling the heel cup until it becomes second nature. Your calf will contract properly and automatically. You won't even notice it. When you go over the top, push forward, like kicking a dog off your front wheel. At the bottom, pull back like you are scraping mud off your shoe. Unweight the pedal on the upstroke.

I know a few people who swear by Sportlegs pills as a prophylactic. I tried them once, before a workout, and didn't notice them to prevent cramping in that case, but in their defense, I did go a little under the prescribed amount (IIRC, it's one pill per 20lbs body weight).

Anyway, cramping is usually from working beyond your typical exertion range, so training will take care of them, but they are nasty enough when they strike that something like Sportlegs may be handy when you know you're going to be riding hard/long.

When training has failed you and you are cramping, nothing works as well as regular strength, brand name Tums. Take one and cramping should subside in seconds. If not, take another. Never had to take more than two. The best thing though is to avoid the problem with training and pedal stroke.

I've used Sportlegs recently and like them. I haven't cramped in years, so I can't say what they might do in this situation.

Thanks for the tips. I'll work on my technique and training more and put some tums in my bag just in case.

Take magnesium supplements as part of your regular vitamin regimen.