I keep getting hints of calf and arch cramps that creep into my toes. I have great biking shoes and I stretch every muscle I can, very thoroughly before and after my rides. I get them swimming, also! Which isn’t handy during a TRI!!!
More water? with/without electrolytes? Any ideas???
4 Replies
Try pickles and pickle juice (drinking, not soaking). Yum!
I use two water bottles, one with plain water and one with Camalbeck Exlixer of Nunz tablets. go through about 2 plain to one mix. Those don’t have the sugar like Gatorade etc. Haven’t had an issue with cramps last 3-4 years since I started doing that.
Drinking an water bottle of sugarless electrolyte mix before and another one after a long ride works best for me to prevent cramps. Your results may vary. Good luck.
I ruptured my left Achilles 3 years ago and was no weight on that leg for 10 weeks; lost about 2″ diameter on that calf muscle, and it hasn’t gained back. I ride a fixed gear bike, and whenever I’m spinning with minimum resistance or going down hill, that calf wants to cramp up on me – 3 years later. I do the pickles, cramp pills, mustard, anything I’ve heard that can (or might) help. Getting up out of the saddle helps some, and whenever I stop I try to do toe raises and calf stretches. It isn’t as bad as it was the first year or so, but still occurs every time I ride. Also deep tissue massage and roller once we get in for the day.
I’m bringing the geared bike to Iowa this year. There are a lot more rolling hills on the bottom half of the state than the last few years.