Cramp

[Fab Foodie]

I have never had cramp while cycling (and I am not all that fit). But I sometimes get them in the evening/at night. It happens for a week or two every six months approximately, and then it goes away again. It's usually related to the days when I have been cycling. It starts with my toes curling downwards (involuntary) and then if I don't take action to stop it, usually because I am asleep, it moves to the calf and then eventually to the inside of my thigh, where it is total and utter agony. Feet and calves you can stretch the cramp out, but I haven't yet found a stretch that will relieve the thigh cramps. At its worst, I am afraid to go to bed, because I know I will be waking up in an hour or so, yelling my head off and waking up my wife. I haven't found more salt or liquids to make any difference, although some proper stretching before bed seems to prevent it to some extent.

I seem to recall that's there's a lot of info in internet land on night cramps as it seems fairly common and better understood than effort related cramping.

 

[leedsmick]

I used to get cramp on my old bike and tried lowering the saddle a couple of inches and it solved it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Crisp's are the answer, usually for me, I have very little salt intake, as I tend to cook from fresh produce rather than any ready type meals, and I tend to cook without added salt.

 

[ayceejay]

I have never had cramp while cycling (and I am not all that fit). But I sometimes get them in the evening/at night. It happens for a week or two every six months approximately, and then it goes away again. It's usually related to the days when I have been cycling. It starts with my toes curling downwards (involuntary) and then if I don't take action to stop it, usually because I am asleep, it moves to the calf and then eventually to the inside of my thigh, where it is total and utter agony. Feet and calves you can stretch the cramp out, but I haven't yet found a stretch that will relieve the thigh cramps. At its worst, I am afraid to go to bed, because I know I will be waking up in an hour or so, yelling my head off and waking up my wife. I haven't found more salt or liquids to make any difference, although some proper stretching before bed seems to prevent it to some extent.

You might want to try a hot bath before bed time

 

[martint235]

My hydration is really poor on a bike particularly in winter so much so that @zigzag has made fun of me for carrying two water bottles to Whitstable and only sipping the top off one of them. The only time I've had cramp on the bike was when I added those Zero tab things to my water*





*if anyone wants some Zero tabs and is likely to see me on a ride soon let me know and I'll bring some along

 

[RichardB]

I seem to recall that's there's a lot of info in internet land on night cramps as it seems fairly common and better understood than effort related cramping.

There is - and all of it contradictory! Less salt, more salt, drink less, drink gallons ... I've asked my doctor, and got nothing definite there either, other than "it's your age".

Crisp's are the answer, usually for me, I have very little salt intake, as I tend to cook from fresh produce rather than any ready type meals, and I tend to cook without added salt.

I used to have very little salt in my diet, and started adding a bit to things like porridge (mmm, yes) and peanut butter. It improves the flavour, but hasn't made any difference to the cramp. Trouble is, it's like an intermittent fault on a car - it doesn't happen reliably, so you can't attack it with logic and a diagnostic approach.

You might want to try a hot bath before bed time

That would be nice - perhaps I can copy this message to my wife. She decided she wanted a walk-in shower a couple of years ago, and we took the bath out. The only time I get a hot bath now is when we go away. However, although I am sure this would help, it doesn't uncover the cause. I can't see anything I am doing on a 6-9 month cycle that might make it happen. But a proper bath would be brilliant, if someone could speak to Father Christmas

Anyway, I don't want to take the thread over, so I'll shut up.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@RichardB ok so my body just isn't used to the mileage I do in a particle day, but if I have a packet or two I get no cramps in bed, I don't have them generally I do get cramps in bed, if I don't ride I don't get cramps in bed.

 

[Fab Foodie]

There is - and all of it contradictory! Less salt, more salt, drink less, drink gallons ... I've asked my doctor, and got nothing definite there either, other than "it's your age".



I used to have very little salt in my diet, and started adding a bit to things like porridge (mmm, yes) and peanut butter. It improves the flavour, but hasn't made any difference to the cramp. Trouble is, it's like an intermittent fault on a car - it doesn't happen reliably, so you can't attack it with logic and a diagnostic approach.



That would be nice - perhaps I can copy this message to my wife. She decided she wanted a walk-in shower a couple of years ago, and we took the bath out. The only time I get a hot bath now is when we go away. However, although I am sure this would help, it doesn't uncover the cause. I can't see anything I am doing on a 6-9 month cycle that might make it happen. But a proper bath would be brilliant, if someone could speak to Father Christmas

Anyway, I don't want to take the thread over, so I'll shut up.

Ha!
I found the same a long time ago when I started time trial long and suffered badly with cramp. My investigations and talks with medics came up with much the same. The fact seems to be that it's not that well understood.
I don't much suffer from night cramps, but now I rarely suffer effort induced cramp as a result of being fitter.

Many years of loitering on cycling forum does throw up a consistent pattern of lots of cramp questions this time of the year from newbies and those that have hibernated. So it does seem that fitness and particularly aerobic fitness plays a very large part and my suspicion is that it's much greater than a pinch of salt.
Having said all that I dont see a downside to using hydration tabs etc.

 

[RichardB]

I'm not 100% sure it is related to cycling at all, as the cramps started a couple of years ago, before I got back into cycling. I think age is the most likely fundamental cause, but I am sure that adequate hydration, stretching and better fitness will all make a difference. And a hot bath ... *sob*

 

[Tojo]

Try including bananas in your diet the potassium in them may help reduce the chance of getting cramps......

 

[RichardB]

I eat at least one a day ...

 

[Truth]

I think, even more so after reading this thread, its just one of those those things that you have to put up with.
I only ever get them at night really in my calf and not often

 

[e-rider]

just wondering if anyone can help me out after around five to ten miles I always seem to start getting cramp in my calves have I got something set up wrong or just dogey legs lol

cramps result from either 1. using muscles more than they are used to being used. 2. Dehydration.
Or a combination of the two.