Cramping up during a century

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

I recently rode a century on the eastern coast and after about 65 miles my hips started cramping up something terrible. I ate and drank a good bit the whole time. I felt great during the first half of the century, but after 65 felt like I just wanted off the bike. Anyone got any suggestions or had the same problems? Someone mentioned about drinking pickle juice to help cramps. Thanks...

Jason

I recently rode a century on the eastern coast and after about 65 miles my hips started cramping up something terrible. I ate and drank a good bit the whole time. I felt great during the first half of the century, but after 65 felt like I just wanted off the bike. Anyone got any suggestions or had the same problems? Someone mentioned about drinking pickle juice to help cramps. Thanks...

JasonTry mixing vinegar in your water. Probably the same idea as the pickle juice.

Train.

I do train a good bit just seems like my hips cramp up. Its not at a certain time or when I'm winded...

Use an easier gear and spin. The muscles won't feel the strain as much.
Potato chips with salt. Stop & stretch if you feel the twinge coming.
Drink & piss. Eat. Train a lot before hand. If all else fails, ride slower.

The cramps did seem to start coming on when I did need to go to the bathroom. But I didn't think that would cause that kind of painful cramping.

The cramps did seem to start coming on when I did need to go to the bathroom. But I didn't think that would cause that kind of painful cramping.


I eat gummies with electrolites in addition to having Accelerade in my water. Those little gummies have stopped my cramping that I used to have in riding long distances. Also, are you taking calcium and magnesium supplements daily? The lack of these nutrients also causes cramping...

The only supplement I've taken lately is Epovar. Two out of three centuries I've cramped up like that but still able to finish close to the six hour mark which is pretty good for me. What kind of gummies and where do you get them?

I eat gummies with electrolites in addition to having Accelerade in my water. Those little gummies have stopped my cramping that I used to have in riding long distances. Also, are you taking calcium and magnesium supplements daily? The lack of these nutrients also causes cramping...Where can you get "gummies with electrolites"? Please do share, I am very intrigued.

I recently rode a century on the eastern coast and after about 65 miles my hips started cramping up something terrible. I ate and drank a good bit the whole time. I felt great during the first half of the century, but after 65 felt like I just wanted off the bike. Anyone got any suggestions or had the same problems? Someone mentioned about drinking pickle juice to help cramps. Thanks...
Assuming you are well conditioned then electrolyte problems are often the cause of cramping. You could try eating bananas at rest stops. Another option is something like Hammer's Endurolyte capsules. Elete sells a liquid electrolyte concentrate that you can add to regular water. If you want to go the cheap route then buy some Lite Salt from a supermarket; it's for people on a low sodium diet and contains a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. If you sweat a lot of salt you might try adding more electrolytes to whatever energy drink you use; most energy drinks only have moderate amounts of electrolytes.

There is no substitute for training. People look for weight loss in a bottle too. Buy your gummies, eat your chips, take the salt. If you are not trained, no magic potion will help.

I been there done all that. I took everything that was recommended for cramps. Diet, potassium, electrolytes, sodium, stretching, prayer, you name it. 3 steady none stop hours at 90% FTP magic cure.

When your leg muscles get use to the constant force, I bet the cramps go away.

EnduroxR4 before during and after...

Drink Robitussin® before during and after....

www.crampnomore.com (http://www.crampnomore.com)

Great stuff. Tastes like drinking ocean water with about 100 times more salt, but it works. Use the code TUCSON for 1/2 off your order.

Drink Robitussin® before during and after....
Explain.

Explain.


I all ready have.

OOPS...forgot you’re the one that has done it all, and knows all about cramps....for everyone in every situation and all conditions.
Funny when pros get cramps, guess they need to train more.

OOPS...forgot you’re the one that has done it all, and knows all about cramps....for everyone in every situation and all conditions.
Funny when pros get cramps, guess they need to train more.


Exactly.