HOW TO PREVENT CYCLING CRAMPS
Bicycling US|Issue 05, 2022
Muscle cramps can put, well, a cramp in your training. I know from experience. In the 1990s, after a successful Black Belt career in the martial arts, I began training exclusively for cycling events. I was in excellent shape, yet frequently got calf and inner thigh cramps—those rapid, painful contractions or muscle overtightening that can last from minutes to hours—early in preparation for the racing season.
DAVID LIPSCOMB
HOW TO PREVENT CYCLING CRAMPS

While cramps are usually temporary, they can cause significant pain and even momentary immobility in the affected muscles— most commonly in the quads, glutes, and calves. I knew I had to use the right training program, nutrition, and trial and error to develop a plan.

Thanks to the following winning strategies, I’ve been cramp-free for decades:

KEEP RECORDS OF YOUR RIDES.

Pay attention to where your cramps occur, as well as factors like ride length, weather, and what you ate before and during your ride. The more you keep tabs on each ride, the more you’ll understand how your body reacts to certain conditions. If you spot troubling trends, adjust your regimen accordingly.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT KIND OF TRAINING.

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