How To Prevent Cramps While Cycling Long Distance (XC)(Merged)

Discussion in 'Racing and Training' started by Petex8, Sep 6, 2010.

  1. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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    i was notorious for cramping on rides. tried various things that didn't work and saw this post and figured i'd give it a try. since going on CMZ sups (about a month) i've been pushing myself harder on rides and i haven't had any hint of cramping. thanks danimal!
     
  2. Heyitsdave

    Heyitsdave Member

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    Training and hydration. Oh...................and more hydration and training when you get done training and hydrating.:lol: I love Powerade Zero for hydration and a 29er SS for training, but that's just me.:)
     
  3. des

    des big kahuna

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    I used to cramp after being in the saddle 3+ hours. I started taking endurolyte on my long rides per the directions on the bottle and my cramps have disappeared. I also eat and drink alot when riding.
     
  4. AaronTheGiant

    AaronTheGiant Member

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    Like blindman, I too cramp on rides and I tried electrolyte supplements to no avail.

    Is CMZ supplement taken daily? I'm guessing the multi vitamin I take doesn't have enough CMZ for our sport?
     
  5. melster

    melster Member

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    I take Saltstick caps every 30 min (http://tinyurl.com/3qpnj3s), and make sure to top off with energy gel every 30 minutes as well. I used to cramp up all the time, now I haven't cramped up in months.
     
  6. Samusick

    Samusick OI!

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    Pickle juice, it sounds gross but works wonders.
     
  7. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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    i've been taking them daily, but am starting to take them every other day. figured i'd space it out a bit so just to be on the safe side.

    things that didn't work for me:
    gels + full camelbak water
    gatorade/powerade + full camelbak water
    salt tabs + full camelbak water
    mustard (made cramps disapear, but didn't last) + full camelbak water
    hammer anti-fatigue pills + full camelbak water

    some were used in combination ie. gels + sports drink + water
     
  8. irv_usc

    irv_usc Active Member

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  9. Heyitsdave

    Heyitsdave Member

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    Maybe pickle juice works too, but I'm already eating 4 jars of Claussen Kosher halves a week ,so it is in my normal diet.:wave:
     
  10. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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    that's a lot of pickles
     
  11. Heyitsdave

    Heyitsdave Member

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    It Is? But, I can't stop, I love those things. I'ts like 2-3 pickles a day.
     
  12. whybother

    whybother New Member

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    fitness.
     
  13. robow8

    robow8 Member

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  14. matty_P

    matty_P New Member

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    as other's have said, there are a lot of things the can give you cramps.
    for me, once my fitness is good; i just hydrate throughout the day, usually drink 2-3 water bottles before lunch and about the same before and afternoon ride and a water bottle on my nightstand at night.
    on the bike if it's hot, i like nuun. it's mainly just electrolytes, not calories. for longer rides i like hammer endurance for calories and some hydration; but only one bottle is that, the other is water. as rides get longer the food gets more complex. i don't really eat on rides that are less than 3 hours but that's just me. some people put out a lot of salt in their sweat, so if you are one of those people with lots of salt lines on your jersey after a ride where other people not so much, you might need more salt. i think that's the group that likes the pickle juice.

    the last thing is to make sure to stretch, even though it sucks, you might even find massage helps if you can afford it.
     
  15. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    I have used water diluted organic orange juice in my water bottle and keep purified water in my CamelBak. This has worked well for me for years along with GU or a product like that to keep from bonking. This is the first time I have ever heard of pickel juice and I am excited to try it. Does it have to have the stork on the label or will any pickel juice do?

    ~Mikie
     
  16. Albacore

    Albacore 34x18

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    I read a study awhile back from a Euro Univ. In summation, it attributed cramping to a genetic predisposition. Those athletes studied who suffered from cramps in the past [group A] still cramped (to various degrees) during a controlled workout. Those athletes who had no, or minimal, history of cramping [group B] did not cramp during a controlled workout. Various remedies and preventative measures were used. In the end group A still had a significant higher occurrence of cramping over group B.
     
  17. whybother

    whybother New Member

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    it is true that there are crampers and non-crampers. i am a cramper, allison is not. fitness however can get you a long way. when we first started racing i was lucky to make it 20 minutes into a race before cramping. now i am approaching 2 hours. years of dedicated training and purposeful practice is what fixes cramping not pickles and pills.
     
  18. Bikeskills

    Bikeskills New Member

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    I have a good luck draggin pickle juice with me on long rides. I have a history of getting cramps from time to time and every time I remember to bring the somewhat hard to drink juice with me I seem to do just fine.
     
  19. relvisk

    relvisk New Member

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    I drink coconut water before going out on a ride. Tons of potassium. During the ride Hammer Endurolytes or the Hammer's Fizz tablets work great.
     
  20. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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