Aches and pains...

[SteveH80]

General aches and pains from doing something physical that your body isn't used to is normal. The cramps could be the same if you're pushing yourself but they just might be a sign of something else.
Personally I would get to the doc for their opinion.

 

[97_CAH]

Thanks for all of the replies. Really helpful.

How often are you now riding ? If it's once a week, you will continue to hurt from doing nothing.

Minimum of three times a week. Usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday. With a Sunday ride thrown in, work permitting.

Is it cold where you are? Hope you are not riding in shorts.

I wouldnt say its cold. Usually ten degrees or above when I get out for a ride. Wearing trousers on rides at the moment.

Seriously - cramping. Are you properly hydrated before and during rides. At first especially: are you taking a snack with you ?

I drink 4L of water per day generally and always have a water bottle on rides. No snacks - Havent found anything I like to take with me yet.

When you say bike fit, do you mean they put you on some bikes, took a few measurements and set you up? Or do you mean you had a full on bike fit with a physiological assessment carried out by an accredited bike fitter? Nothing wrong with the former, 99% of us will have a bit of basic fitting like that.

The leg pain could well be connected to the back ache. It is most probably a basic fit issue exacerbated by you not having ridden for a while. Back problems are often too high a saddle/too long a reach related problems. I would start making some incremental changes to things like saddle height and reach to see if that makes a difference.

I went to the local bike shop, he took some measurements to get a starting point and then had me on and off the bike quite a bit to make other smaller adjustments.


I have now dropped my saddle a little, Ill start taking more water on rides with me and will look more at snacks too. Ill give it a few more weeks and see if anything improves. Thanks again for the replies guys.

 

[Webbo2]

Are you drinking too much water.4 litres sounds a lot, you might be peeing out all your electrolytes.
More people end up needing medical attention at events like marathons for over consumption of fluids rather than dehydration.

 

[97_CAH]

Are you drinking too much water.4 litres sounds a lot, you might be peeing out all your electrolytes.
More people end up needing medical attention at events like marathons for over consumption of fluids rather than dehydration.

Not a clue. I just drink as and when I feel I need to.
Ive drank that much for the last ten years. I walk around 25,000 steps per night at work - 5 days a week.
Im also 6ft5 and 24.8st so a little on the larger side. 4 litres is just normal for me.

 

[HLaB]

Recently started riding MTB again, Nothing too serious mainly just riding down the local canal and around the park.
Not pushing a fast pace, nice and relaxed for the most part.
Around 30 mins in my back in particular has started to ache and I get a excruciating cramping type pain in my lower right leg.
Ive had a bike fit done at my local bike shop and the bike is the correct size for me. Before the aches and cramps happen the bike is comfortable and enjoyable to ride. I can push through the back ache but the cramping instantly stops me in my tracks. The last time it happened, I had to get my wife to come and pick me and the bike up (she was not amused )

Has anyone else experienced something similar when starting to ride again? Any advice?

Your first line gives it away, you just need to get fitter your body will get used to things overtime, you've already done the right thing in getting a fit to remove the chances of silly thing like your saddle being to low or too high. Stick with it

 

[Alex321]

Are you drinking too much water.4 litres sounds a lot, you might be peeing out all your electrolytes.
More people end up needing medical attention at events like marathons for over consumption of fluids rather than dehydration.

The recommended amount is 3.7L per day for an average man.

4L per day is not significantly enough outside that to be an issue.

 

[Webbo2]

The recommended amount is 3.7L per day for an average man.

4L per day is not significantly enough outside that to be an issue.

The only time I drink anywhere near 4 litres is if I go down the pub for a session.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I drink 4L of water per day generally

Thats an awful lot to be drinking outside of a very long ride on a hot day. As long as your urine is a light straw colour you’re golden.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Second post captured it. You are simply not conditioned to it, and your body is letting you know. Don’t increase distances or effort until you no longer ache like thst from your outings. Well unless you enjoy suffering.

 

[Alex321]

The only time I drink anywhere near 4 litres is if I go down the pub for a session.

People are different.

THat 3.7L is for an average man. Some people will regularly want/need to drink more, some less.

Though I suspect you drink more than you might think.

 

[Alex321]

Thats an awful lot to be drinking outside of a very long ride on a hot day. As long as your urine is a light straw colour you’re golden.

It is a perfectly normal and reasonable amiount to be drinking.

Why do you think less than 10% over the recommended daily amount is "an awful lot"?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It is a perfectly normal and reasonable amiount to be drinking.

Why do you think less than 10% over the recommended daily amount is "an awful lot"?

It’s not what the NHS recommends and it’s far in excess of what’s necessary to stay hydrated outside of lots of exercise in the heat. Where on earth do you get the idea that drinking 4L a day is normal. In imperial that is 7 pints a day.

 

[Punkawallah]

It’s not what the NHS recommends and it’s far in excess of what’s necessary to stay hydrated outside of lots of exercise in the heat. Where on earth do you get the idea that drinking 4L a day is normal. In imperial that is 7 pints a day.

Over 6’, 25,000 steps, five days a week? While not ‘normal’, it might be normal for him. Please remember the NHS is the organisation that spends 15 billion yearly on ‘medical mistakes’, and gave the population Thalidomide, Factor Eight, Swine Flu vaccine and Sodium Valproate. IMO their advice should be considered a starting point rather than the be-all.

 

[Alex321]

It’s not what the NHS recommends and it’s far in excess of what’s necessary to stay hydrated outside of lots of exercise in the heat. Where on earth do you get the idea that drinking 4L a day is normal. In imperial that is 7 pints a day.

I got it from here
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256#:~:text=So how much fluid does,fluids a day for women

That just happened to be the first reasonably reputable site I came across.

But you are right, looking around more, most others recommend rather less.

This one is about the same
https://www.aquasanaeurope.com/reco...yy2kDycv1rJizBRf6hbl1UoTJnrBGhpzV8rIDYQndoxFL

This one is much less
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/fluid-water-drinks.html

The NHS one is meaningless, since it says you should aim to drink 6-8 "cups or glasses", which is not a standard measure.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/water-drinks-nutrition/

Though if you assume that a "cup or glass" is going to be around 200-250ml, then their recommendation is similar to the BDA one - much less than the other two.

 

[97_CAH]

From everything that Ive been reading 3.7L is what someone of my height, weight and level of activity should be consuming. Im not an average person size and I do more in my day to day life than most do. Provided that Im not just gulping it down in one hit, Which I dont - Its consumed over an average of 15-16 hours and my urine is a healthy colour - which it is, 4L isnt an issue.

Ive been drinking the same amount for the last 10 years without issue. I also dont really drink anything else, No fizzy drinks, Rarely any juices, No hot drinks and no alcohol.