Why am I getting cramp in my calves whilst road biking?

[MHB]

Not sure if this should be here, or in the health forum - but recently I've been getting cramp whilst on road bike rides, and I'm not sure why? This doesn't happen every ride, but quite often and usually occurs after 15 - 20 miles so am warmed up. I am cycling in the fens, so terrain is pretty flat with the odd small hill.

I do try to push myself, seeking to attain the magical 20mph average for the ride - but cramp puts paid to that, as I have to stop and then have little confidence in working hard again.

Is this likely to be the set up of the bike, technique, nutrition prior to the ride or just plain old age?

If anyone has experienced anything similar, or can assist with sheding any light on teh situation I would be very grateful.

[littleandy0410]

Are you using clip in pedals? Could be the cleat angle, if they are float free, fixed pedals.

[MHB]

littleandy0410 said:

Are you using clip in pedals? Could be the cleat angle, if they are float free, fixed pedals.

Yes to clip in pedals, though am not sure about float free or fixed pedals. They are Shimano Ultegra if that helps? I'll have a play around with the cleat set up and see if this helps.

[Rouleur]

You may be holding your heel too high. I've always done this with one of mine and on a hard or long ride the calf on that side can get a little tense. It's very hard though to keep your foot flatter as it keeps returning to its normal position, but it might be worth a try.

[AyBee]

No idea whether this might be the cause, is your calf going through periods of being tensed and untensed during your pedal stroke or permanently tensed? Saddle too high?

[fid]

...drinking enough water?

[blugnu]

fid said:

...drinking enough water?

When I got mild cramp in my calves it always meant I hadn't drunk enough - it was a good early warning; a swig of water usually sorted it quickly.

[Nick67]

fid said:

...drinking enough water?

I would say this may well be the case, also make sure you warm up and perhaps try magnesium, we normally take a sachet before a long ride.

[MadDad]

It's likely to be down to hydration and/or food intake, but could also be down to your saddle position. Too high, or too far forward could also cause cramping of the calves, next time it happens slide back in the saddle.

[louiebaby]

There seem like two very obvious possibilities. Hydration and bike fit.

On is free, the other is probably about £50. I'd try hydration first. If you're not peeing almost clear before the ride, drink more the next day.

See if that helps. A good bike fit from a respected fitter is worth £50 anyway, so maybe save up for it as a treat to yourself.

[Roman]

Yes it could be the saddle's too high but this usually causes the quadriceps and thighs to cramp.

I used to suffer a lot from calf cramps by over training & insufficient time stretching & warming up/warming down.

Vitamin E and Quinine have worked wonders for me, I take the Vitamin E in super strength vitamins and use tonic water for the added quinine. Try it and let us know how you get on.

[MadDad]

[quote=Roman] Quinine h/quote]

I drink about 3 bottles of tonic water a week, aside from the arch of my foot I have not suffered from cramp for well over a year....

But, I have also been 'fettling' my riding position for about a year!

[Digga]

Check the spokes for gay. If you ride through a deep patch of the stuff is can get wrapped around the wheels and creates a lot of drag. HTH.

[Gizmoish]

Digga said:

Check the spokes for gay. If you ride through a deep patch of the stuff is can get wrapped around the wheels and creates a lot of drag. HTH.

It's the dark matter that slows me down.

[MadDad]

Gizmoish said:

It's the dark matter that slows me down.

90% psychological – ‘free your mind and your legs will follow’!

[Digga]

Gizmoish said:

Digga said:

Check the spokes for gay. If you ride through a deep patch of the stuff is can get wrapped around the wheels and creates a lot of drag. HTH.

It's the dark matter that slows me down.

Downhill mtb inner tubes?

[Gizmoish]

MadDad said:

Gizmoish said:

It's the dark matter that slows me down.

90% psychological – ‘free your mind and your legs will follow’!

It's why I have a white bike.

(Honestly.)

[khushy]

the right sort of hydration is your issue!!!

Try some Zero Highs - totally eliminated my cramps.

khushy

[TKF]

MHB said:

Not sure if this should be here, or in the health forum - but recently I've been getting cramp whilst on road bike rides, and I'm not sure why? This doesn't happen every ride, but quite often and usually occurs after 15 - 20 miles so am warmed up. I am cycling in the fens, so terrain is pretty flat with the odd small hill.

I used to suffer from cramp in my calves around the 1hr mark into rides.

I put some hydration tablets in my bottle and the problem disappeared overnight.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/high-5/zero-hy...

[Gizmoish]

khushy said:

the right sort of hydration is your issue!!!

Try some Zero Highs - totally eliminated my cramps.

khushy

That may help - but if he's sitting too high and needing to push the pedal down with tiptoes (excessively) no amount of potassium/magnesium/liquid/bananas will help.