I have been mtbing for 3 years now and have never had any problems whatsoever with cramping while riding until last Saturday. The ride was something that I have done several times before. It's around 6.5 miles and 3,000 vertical. A tough but doable ride. It took me 3.75 hours to ride up. 2.0 hours of actual riding and 1.75 hours of resting, eating, etc. I had and drank what I thought was plenty of water, ate two pb&j sandwiches, a cliff bar, and one thermotab (salt). I took several breaks to rest, eat, and drink. One the way down I got two of the worst cramps that I have ever experienced. Both were in the vastus medialis (inside of the leg starting just above the knee to about half way up the leg) and lasted for about 10 minutes each. The muscle was so hard that my leg was forced in a straight out position. I got one, it subsided, felt better, and then I made it down another 3 miles or so and got the same exact thing in the other leg. The second time wasn't quite so bad because I was able to bend my knee before the cramp could settle in all the way.
I don't or haven't heard too much about getting cramps in this particular muscle before. Anyone ever experience this. My thinking is that it probably wasn't due to hydration or electrolytes but maybe more fatigue? Although I didn't feel as though my legs were overly tired. I think mostly though it may have been due to the padded under shorts that I was wearing on this particular day are a bit tighter around the lower thigh than my others that I usually wear. I ended up cutting the elastic band at the bottom of the shorts after the second cramp just in case.
Also I am riding a hardtail now as my fs is still awaiting a replacement rear shock so I am standing on the pedals more so now than earlier on my way down. I do think that I am using these particular muscles more in this "standing" position than while sitting or pedaling.
So to anyone in the know or anyone who has experience with this...Am I wrong for thinking that this is due more to the tightness of the leg band rather than hydration, electrolytes, or fatigue?
I don't or haven't heard too much about getting cramps in this particular muscle before. Anyone ever experience this. My thinking is that it probably wasn't due to hydration or electrolytes but maybe more fatigue? Although I didn't feel as though my legs were overly tired. I think mostly though it may have been due to the padded under shorts that I was wearing on this particular day are a bit tighter around the lower thigh than my others that I usually wear. I ended up cutting the elastic band at the bottom of the shorts after the second cramp just in case.
Also I am riding a hardtail now as my fs is still awaiting a replacement rear shock so I am standing on the pedals more so now than earlier on my way down. I do think that I am using these particular muscles more in this "standing" position than while sitting or pedaling.
So to anyone in the know or anyone who has experience with this...Am I wrong for thinking that this is due more to the tightness of the leg band rather than hydration, electrolytes, or fatigue?