Hot 48 miles and dehydration

[Catrin]

Had a sweet 48.5 mile ride this morning, but had a small problem after I had ridden about 38 miles or so.

My left calf started cramping and it got very hard to think. It actually took a mile or so of this for it to dawn on me that I really needed to stop - as I said my thinking wasn't very clear at that point. Stopped at a church and sat in the shade for 15 minutes or so, and ate/drank. Was fine for the rest of the trip.

Does this sound like a dehydration/electrolyte issue? Someone told me that the cramping made it sound like that but does it cause fuzzy thinking? I couldn't even remember what was in the water bottles when I stopped.

I had a bottle of Accelerade, a bottle of Heed, and 50 ounces of water in my Camelbak. I had all of that, but all that actually got drunk was the Accelerade and the water. I am thinking that just wasn't enough... I did refill my 'bak during the ride - though it only took about 6 ounces. It was almost gone when I finished.

Can't yet drink from the water bottle on the bike, one of the reasons I love my 'bak. So I get in the zone and at some point don't even think about stopping to drink from the bottle and in this heat I need more than water.

Am going out for another 30 miles tomorrow after church and am considering filling the 'bak with Heed. If I wind up having to replace the bladder then I will - it is only $25...

Feel fine now, knees are a little tender from the ride but that is all. Fought a mean and HOT head-wind once I turned around for the return part of my ride.