Cramp?

[NeoCaesar]

The last two times out I have had pretty bad cramp in my calves. It always happens at the same time when I am descending fast -this has led me to believe that it is technique as I am not spinning fast enough for the gear but still giving it welly. On flat or when ascending It feels like my thighs are pedalling but obviously somehow when descending my calves are trying to do some work? Does this sound far-fetched?

I know people are going to say I'm not warmed up of dehydrated but I really think it is neither of these things.

 

[jdtate101]

Possibly because you have just done a strenuous climb and on the decent you claves are contracting, due to the lack of work. Not sure what you can do here except do a bit of loose spinning on the way down just to keep the legs loose.

 

[ianrauk]

Dehydration has a lot to do with cramps.

 

[NeoCaesar]

Possibly because you have just done a strenuous climb and on the decent you claves are contracting, due to the lack of work. Not sure what you can do here except do a bit of loose spinning on the way down just to keep the legs loose.

Yeah, I was probably being a bit too rigorous on the way down. (trying to max my speedo... ) I did spin for a short while at the top before the descent but I guess I had given my muscles more than they could deal with -puny little saps that they are.

Dehydration has a lot to do with cramps.

Definitely not dehydration as I'm running a marathon on Sunday and I have been purposely drinking a power of water/lucozade. I'm expecting 25 degrees +...

 

[john59]

Dehydration has a lot to do with cramps.

I couldn't agree more. If I do a hard ride or run and don't drink enough afterwards I can end up with bad thigh cramp.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,20192_7441709,00.html

Have a look at this article

 

[Fab Foodie]

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,20192_7441709,00.html

Have a look at this article

A decent article on the subject ... it's mostly down to condition.

 

[Banjo]

My experience is exactly as the article says,I get them more early in the spring when still getting back fitness lost in winter.

 

[NeoCaesar]

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,20192_7441709,00.html

Have a look at this article

Thanks, interesting read. It is my puny muscles that get the blame then...

 

[Nebulous]

Yeah - another Aeberdonian!

I find it depends a lot on gearing and how fast I can crank going downhill. I get up to about 33 mph and then give up cranking, tuck down and let gravity do the rest. Spinning really fast seems to put more load on my calves, so that could be a contributory factor.