delayed onset muscle cramping

Dan Hansen

I've had a 4-5 day hiatus from cycling two times this year. Otherwise I go out every other night and burn up the roads for 2 to 4 hours ever mindful to keep high rpm. Seems that after about the third day off the bike, specific muscle bundles will begin to cramp severely after the slightest non-cycling leg exercize (esp. descending stairs). A little bit of active soccer coaching tonight made my thighs feel like they're hosting a 'Cramp Symphony' - debilitating! Mmmm - I've managed some ways to lessen these symptoms post-facto (pills and stretching) but what I'm after in this posting is the cause. This could be a rather rare complaint since I can not find this progression described in Cycling Forums or elsewhere - seems that if I want to ride hard, I must keep regular on the bike - OR ELSE!! Ideas?

Roadie_scum

Do you run regularly during the periods in which you cycle frequently? Because different types of muscle contractions occur in running vs cycling (eccentric/concentric), running if you are only used to cycling can cause 'delayed onset muscular soreness'. The only way around this is to run more regularly (or perhaps to cycle less but who'd want to do that?).

If you run regularly even during the periods when you ride, perhaps there is a different/modified explanation.

Dan Hansen

Hey, thanks. No I don't run regularly though I think you could be onto something. This could be a, 'too much of one thing - not enough of another'-type of scenario. I probably need more non-concentric leg exercize. After I read your post, my kids and I took a longish walk - felt good.
Incidentally, back when I posted this thread originally, that night I got on the bike despite the pain and stiffness and within 2 minutes I was smiling! I did a fast 60 km and had no problems while on the bike. When I got home and the next day - viola! - pain gone. Could have been a hydration thing too. Tks again!