Cramping, but I already drink heaps of water!

[Sando]

I keep getting cramps after riding on hot days. I know it's not dehydration as I drink plenty (yes plenty) of water - usually over 2 liters a day and only ride for an hour. I also drink a bottle of Gatorade each day.

I don't get them as soon as I finish riding but later at night when I'm stretching.

I commute to work, about 27km round drip, 5 days a week...

Any help would be greaty appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Eden]

If I'm recalling right Gatorade (especially the original formula) has lots of sodium, but not much else. Try something that has some of the other salts - potassium, magnesium etc. and be careful you are not drinking too much plain water thereby flushing all of your electrolytes right out of your system.

If you need something with electrolytes, but don't want the carbs or the sugar you can get something like Nuun or Ecaps.

 

[DesFlurane]

Try quinine tablets, worked for me when all else failed.

 

[Sillyoldtwit]

I think you'll find everything you need to know about cramping in the following link. Good luck! Tyson

www.ultracycling.com/training/cramping.html

 

[Sando]

I think you'll find everything you need to know about cramping in the following link. Good luck! Tyson

www.ultracycling.com/training/cramping.html

Great, thank you, I'll have a read...

 

[OldGoat]

I keep getting cramps after riding on hot days. I know it's not dehydration as I drink plenty (yes plenty) of water - usually over 2 liters a day and only ride for an hour. I also drink a bottle of Gatorade each day.

I don't get them as soon as I finish riding but later at night when I'm stretching.

I commute to work, about 27km round drip, 5 days a week...

Any help would be greaty appreciated!

Thanks

Bananas are loaded with potassium; you might try adding one or two to your daily diet.

 

[daveryanwyoming]

Bananas are loaded with potassium; you might try adding one or two to your daily diet.

Bananas are great, but potatoes and even broccoli have more potassium per serving. Check out this link: http://www.everything-science.com/content/view/27/98/

-Dave

 

[e0richt]

Bananas are great, but potatoes and even broccoli have more potassium per serving. Check out this link: http://www.everything-science.com/content/view/27/98/

-Dave

I haven't tried this but others have posted that taking a tums will help because of the magnesium/calcium...

 

[garage sale GT]

Bananas are great, but potatoes and even broccoli have more potassium per serving. Check out this link: http://www.everything-science.com/content/view/27/98/

-Dave

How much of it comes out in the cooking water?

Salt substitutes are a source of potassium.

 

[daveryanwyoming]

How much of it comes out in the cooking water?...

Don't know I usually bake 'em.....