Cramping

[roostafish]

Originally Posted by bchatt

I have read that when muscles are simply pushed beyond their "normal operating range" they will cramp. The theory being that training and conditioning can extend the "normal operating range". Assuming hydration and mineral replacement is kept up, the performance of the various muscles we use when riding will improve hugely the more we ride.
Roost, have you noticed if you are cramping less as the season progresses?
For myself anyway, I know at the start of the season, even though I drink heaps, I get lots of cramps - but after more regular riding through the summer, the cramps "barrier" is usually pushed out to say 4 hours.

I have noticed that the more I have been riding, the less of a problem it is. Last month I did a three day epic mountain bike ride, with super technical terrain, and hours in the saddle, over 100 miles in all. I never came close to having a cramp. I was well hydrated, well fueled, and had the benefit of lots of rest, since I just went to sleep when the sun went down, and others drank beer. A further benefit was that I had plenty of rest stops on the trail, since I was far from the slowest in the group. Not like racing a motorcycle, but it was plenty long, plenty tough, and taxed the leg muscles pretty hard. I do think the intensity of racing has an effect too. Just the nerves, and the total concentration, and maximum effort.