cramp

no spam for me said:

I have been ramping up distance over the last few weeks and about a
week ago I was attacked by a killer cramp in my side while I was
climbing the major hill that I have on the ride....about 180' over a
1/3 of a mile. I have since had this same problem about 5 more times
to a lesser extent and about the only thing that is different is that
I have extended the route by 5 miles. Any one have a good suggestion
on avoiding this? I am hitting the road on an empty stomach and
keeping my liquid consumption small.

Then drink more liquids, dehydration is not good for you.

Peter

no spam for me' no_ said:

I am hitting the
road on an empty stomach and keeping my liquid consumption small.

Don't.

Peter Allen said:

no spam for me said:

I have been ramping up distance over the last few weeks and about a
week ago I was attacked by a killer cramp in my side while I was
climbing the major hill that I have on the ride....about 180' over a
1/3 of a mile. I have since had this same problem about 5 more times
to a lesser extent and about the only thing that is different is that
I have extended the route by 5 miles. Any one have a good suggestion
on avoiding this? I am hitting the road on an empty stomach and
keeping my liquid consumption small.

Then drink more liquids, dehydration is not good for you.

Peter

What do you think about drinking about 12-16 oz of a 'recovery type drink'
before riding. I've been doing that minutes before going out and it -seems-
to help, though I wonder if it isn't actually just sitting in my stomach as
the body cranks up and the blood goes away from the digestive system, as a
rule.

Maybe it would be better to drink it about 30 min before going out?

Thoughts? ;-)

-jet

no spam for me said:

I have been ramping up distance over the last few weeks and about a week ago
I was attacked by a killer cramp in my side while I was climbing the major
hill that I have on the ride....about 180' over a 1/3 of a mile. I have
since had this same problem about 5 more times to a lesser extent and about
the only thing that is different is that I have extended the route by 5
miles. Any one have a good suggestion on avoiding this? I am hitting the
road on an empty stomach and keeping my liquid consumption small.

K

Guess what? If you go hard enough, your entire ride will be one big
cramp.

But to answer your question, your cramp will go away once you stop
asking stupid questions. There's literally a dozen things you could do
differently - none of which requires a directive from anyone in this
newsgroup. You could stretch before your ride, hydrate, eat, ride more
miles, use a different gear, etc..

Just deal with it and see what works.

As for your comment that you are "hitting the raod on an empty stomach
and keeping your liquid consumption small" tells me you don't pay
attention much in terms of contemporary performance/training issues.
You have an attitude problem to even make such a statement.

And next time you ask a question, be more specific (how long is your
ride, how hot is your climate, how many miles a week do you ride?)

Your entire question is just one big vague statement.

Thanks,

Magilla

Jet said:

Peter Allen said:

no spam for me said:

I have been ramping up distance over the last few weeks and about a
week ago I was attacked by a killer cramp in my side while I was
climbing the major hill that I have on the ride....about 180' over a
1/3 of a mile. I have since had this same problem about 5 more
times to a lesser extent and about the only thing that is different
is that I have extended the route by 5 miles. Any one have a good
suggestion on avoiding this? I am hitting the road on an empty
stomach and keeping my liquid consumption small.

Then drink more liquids, dehydration is not good for you.

What do you think about drinking about 12-16 oz of a 'recovery type
drink' before riding. I've been doing that minutes before going out
and it -seems- to help, though I wonder if it isn't actually just
sitting in my stomach as the body cranks up and the blood goes away
from the digestive system, as a rule.

First off, your gut will absorb water and simple carbs pretty much any time;
just a bit slower if you are working hard. Stuff like meat and veg won't get
digested so well, but neither of those are found in a recovery drink...

Second, if you are doing a moderate pace ride then your digestive system
will be working well enough anyway. Time trials, chaingangs, that kind of
thing you need to worry about whether you ate something before that will sit
in your stomach and maybe make you sick; a three hour group ride chatting
most of the way you could eat a roast dinner beforehand and you wouldn't
have much trouble.

So, water, some carbs, bit of protein, is probably a good thing before a
ride; that's probably what's in your recovery drink.

Peter

Jet said:

What do you think about drinking about 12-16 oz of a 'recovery type drink'
before riding. I've been doing that minutes before going out and it -seems-
to help, though I wonder if it isn't actually just sitting in my stomach as
the body cranks up and the blood goes away from the digestive system, as a

Twelve is probably too many. Start with one, work your way up.

Apologies.

Are you doing any "core" exercises? Situps, etc? Probably wouldn't
hurt. I used to have the problem even when young and reasonably fit.
Lots of gut work later, it stopped. Now I'm middle aged and not fit,
but I can go until I blow without the old stitch in the side. Might be
just "lifetime miles" <g>. Maybe it's because I've learned to warm up
at some length before I try going hard.

Starting out empty/dry? Riding is supposed to be fun, even if you're
working hard to get fit and lose weight (assumption). Have enough
misery sessions, it makes quitting mighty attractive. Water works
great; you might have to "learn" to use energy drinks.

Lots of riders, especially beginners, find a "course" they like and
relate all their riding to it-- keeping track of "times", always
comparing distance/effort/terrain of other rides to the "home" ride. I
sure did. Better to go exploring and have fun spending hours on the
bike at least sometimes. Group rides, another antidote to the Lone
Slog. --D-y