Calf cramps

[cyberknight]

Over the last few months i have been getting calf cramps on my commute .
I have been doing the same route for over 2 years at the same pace , getting a little faster as you would expect over time.

By thursday i can feel my calves aching even though i regularly stretch them.Last week i cramped up after a hill in both legs and had to spin the granny gear the rest of the way home as it was to painful to exert any effort , it tokk 2 days off the bike at the weekend to calm them down.

I only ever do commute cycling of 10 miles each way at a fast(ish) pace.

 

[Chrisc]

Been looking for cramp advice meself. VMO muscle on my right leg looked like it was trying to get out weekend before last and it still feels very bruised a week on. Cramped after a couple of miles last night. Never suffered it before, odd, but there seems to be no real understanding of the causes. Various theories about dehydration but nothing certain except that it hurts like hell.

 

[Broadside]

Who knows what your particular cause of cramp is... everyone seems to be different and there is no definitive solution what causes it. I too have been stuck 30 miles from home across hilly terrain with fully cramped up legs, not very pleasant at all.

I have gone through blaming dehydration, lack of electrolytes, over training, and cold muscles in the winter months amongst other things. Each time I think I have found the solution then it comes back.

My current theory which has seen me not have any cramp at all for 3 months is to ensure that my legs muscles are looked after. None of the pre-ride stretching nonsense, I just spend the first 15 mins of each ride taking it very easy, then every 20/30 mins on the bike from that point I consciously stand level on the pedals and point both heels down as far as poss for 10 secs to stretch the calves out. Post ride I give my calves and achilles a good 10-20sec stretch.

I reckon that over time my muscles become prone to cramp if I don't stretch which results in calf and foot arch cramp (lots of muscles connect to the sole of the foot). So this is my latest theory in a long line of things I've tried, but so far has worked the best.

I think you have to try out the various possible solutions and work out which is the best for you, good luck.

 

[cyberknight]

Read some where that having the cleats to far forward may be a cause if you are using your calf to much so put my cleats back to the next hole.

Also read about saddle height being to high, mine has not changed in donkeys so i am trying the cleat thing 1st

 

[Broadside]

I forgot about the cleats! I moved mine back as far as they go (and have left them there) as part of trying to sort it out too!

Everything is worth a go.

 

[Broadside]

Oh should have mentioned that when I get seriously bad cramp that leaves the muscles sore for a few days the best thing I find it to have a sports massage on my legs. It's a bit of an expensive solution but it really does help - I've got a friend who does it so it's not a pricey option for me.