Monday 8/31 rides

[DDH]

I rode 11.5 miles today. It was nice even at 3:00 pm it was only 90 degrees and the humidity is like 27 percent right now. Very low for here.
I stopped at one point to rest a minute because once again my feet and calves are cramping up. Well, I went to get back on the bike to finish coming home, clipped my right foot in pushed forward to get my left leg clicked in and when I lifted my body up to the seat my left calf and foot proceeded to twist into a horrible cramp and I didn't have enough speed to keep from falling and could get my right foot out of the clip. I fell, of course!!! right out there where every car going by could see. Not one stopped to make sure I was okay, but at least they didn't honk or yell obscene things at me. LOL

I don't know what I am going to do about this cramping. The cramping is in the middle of the night while I sleep too, so it's not just the biking causing it. It's so aggravating. I wanted to kick my bike I was so mad, but I thought twice about it and didn't. Shoot it wasn't the bikes fault.

[ccbloom]

Great ride! I'm so sorry you fell. I've read that bananas (potassium) are good for cramping. Not sure if you've given it a try.

First real solo ride on my new bike today (first solo ride on any bike in a VERY long time), and I went 7 miles - 3 on the road and 4 on the track in about 40 minutes. Not fast, but I wasn't winded at all, and I'm pleased with that. Definitely can be better, but I'll take it!

[mudmucker]

I don't know what I am going to do about this cramping. The cramping is in the middle of the night while I sleep too, so it's not just the biking causing it. It's so aggravating. I wanted to kick my bike I was so mad, but I thought twice about it and didn't. Shoot it wasn't the bikes fault.

Hmm. Have you tried magnesium? I say this because of leg cramping at night. Do a web search and some of the literature mentions needing magnesium (and possibly potassium or calcium) if leg cramping occurs at night. I know I've used magnesium for years for some monthly cycle cramping and cycling cramping and it helps me. It's just a suggestion because I think you had another thread where there was a lot of talk on mechanical. It's been hot where you are so maybe you are losing electrolytes as well even when you aren't cycling.

[tulip]

Donna, I love that you post your daily rides. I find them motivational for me...they must be for you, too!

My thoughts about cramping: make sure you're drinking plenty of water all throughout the day, every day. And eat a banana. But if it gets really bad, ask your doctor about it when you go back in.

Thanks, again!

[Crankin]

I did my last ride to the Bedford farmer's market for the summer (17.2 miles). It runs through October, but I will be flat out on Mondays starting next week. I won't be home until close to 10 PM.
It was actually quite brisk here this morning. We did a walking meditation outside in my yoga/meditation class, and the sun had gone behind some clouds and it was breezy. I left for the market around 1:30, so it was about 65 and still a little overcast. Wore my Terry scooters for the first time since last spring. I know I had complained that they were too big, so I bit the bullet and had them taken in, so now they are perfect.
I usually love riding my Jamis, but everything hurt today and I could barely get over 12 mph on the flats. My knees don't like the spd pedals I have on this bike, and I think the right one is a little cranky from a lot of big gear riding on my road bike last week. It was windy, too. Anyway, I bought some peaches and 2 scones. One of the bakeries that has a booth there has the most delicious whole wheat cranberry scones!
The ride back was a little less painful, but my fibro. is acting up, so I should rest ((but I won't because it's gorgeous out and it's my last week of vacation). When I got home, I ate about a quarter of my scone, which went a long way in making me feel better. I just raised my seat on the Jamis, to see if that will help my back and knees. Even though it's set where it should be, it just feels low.

[Miranda]

20mi for me at a moderate pace on one of my favorite routes around some small lakes. Crisp here in the midwest--first day I noticed you could see your breath in morning. But, that's Fall. Which I love. Warmed up as day went on & sunny. Also means good-bye humidity--yippie says my asthma.

For OP Donna (DDH) on your cramps... Omg, GF... I totally feel for you. Occasionally I still get those. But I have improved mine greatly.

Some of which were foot issues that I got some insight at the podiatrist office. Certain stretches can help. And diff shoes etc.

Part... a PT told me that I am a "toe clencher" in my shoes. Thus, now I routinely make myself wiggle my toes in my shoes will riding. Especially when I start to get tired, I still catch my self toe clenching.

I got some shoes that fit my weird foot shape. Mavic Xenon. Full carbon ultra stiff sole. No squish on toes. And switched from mtb pedal to Look Keo. My beautiful Sidis were TOO pointy toes for my foot shape & part of the issue. And w/some other foot injury issues... I really try to work on the pulling up portion of my pedal stroke (a weak spot of mine) = less pressure on balls of feet to cramp.

I *MAKE* myself drink more water. Carry it everywhere. I can't stand to drink flavored H2O stuff. Cliff electrolyte shot blocks would good for me vs drinking the lytes on the bike.

Are there any meds that might suck your lytes out? Sometimes high bp meds can do that. The doc would know.

Also... with the cramps, I bought E-lyte sport. Their web site add is "cramp no more". Here is link... http://elytesport.com/default.html They also refer to "night cramps" too.

I hope that gets better for you. When I get one... it's almost debilitating and my foot contorts to deformed looking. Not fun. Glad you weren't hurt awfully bad on your fall--like a car got you--still no fun regardless.

[momtohanna]

I did some hill repeats today for the first time. Ended up doing 4 repeats and my total bike ride was 7 miles.

About the cramping ~ When I was pregnant I got really bad leg cramps. My doula/birthing class teacher recommended Natural Calm ~ it's magnesium and other stuff ~ just put a scoop in a warm cup of water and drink. My cramps went away immediately. I've started getting cramps again a couple hours after my long or hard rides and sometimes in the middle of the night ~ I've started taking Natural Calm again and it's been helping a lot.

[DDH]

Thanks everyone for all the cramping advice. I'm glad everyone else had a good ride.

Once when I use to ride with my step mom, she fell, and she kind of bounced. I called her tonight and told her I don't bounce, but I do roll, theres no rubber in my butt. LMAO
I wish she was able to start riding with me again.