Ow! I hurt myself while shifting...

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CNF2002 · #1 Post by **CNF2002** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:14 am

Anyone ever get a really bad charliehorse in your left thigh while riding? I seem to get one when I shift quickly...I shift-shift-shift-scream! as I cramp up and then wimper for about a mile until it goes away.

What do you do to get rid of the pain while on the road?

Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:21 am

Stop and flex your foot?

If you don't want to stop, slow down and stretch your leg out and flex your foot so that it's at a 90 degree angle to your leg, this stretches the muscles therefore aleviating a cramp. If you want to avoid it try stretching before you get on the bike.

CNF2002 · #3 Post by **CNF2002** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:29 am

I'm going to try stretching along my 400 mile ride tomorrow. I think the problem is 1) I'm lazy and dont exercise enough or 2) the bike is a tad too small for my legs.

VermilionX · #4 Post by **VermilionX** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:31 am

CNF2002 wrote: 2) the bike is a tad too small for my legs.

UPGRADE! UPGRADE! UPGRADE!

Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:42 am

CNF2002 wrote:I'm going to try stretching along my 400 mile ride tomorrow. I think the problem is 1) I'm lazy and dont exercise enough or 2) the bike is a tad too small for my legs.

1) Is a reason and also lack of hydration. Drink plenty of water during your trip and one tip while you at the rest stops... if it's really hot, and they have one of the big freezers where they sell bagged ice, put your helmet in there while your taking a potty break, fueling up etc... It'll help keep you cool once you get back on the road. Trust me, I live in FL with high temps and humidity and it works...

Kaiser Soze · #6 Post by **Kaiser Soze** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:45 am

My feet got pretty sore on the long trip I just finished. I was hanging my feet out to the side every half hour or so for a couple minutes. When my butt got really sore, and leaning to one side for a minute was no longer helping, I'd slow down a little and stand on the pegs for a while. That's the extent of my stunting abilities.

NorthernPete · #7 Post by **NorthernPete** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:47 am

streeeetch before hand a bit...an ounce of prevention.....

sharpmagna · #8 Post by **sharpmagna** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:00 am

eat a bannana also. Potassium is good for preventing a charlie horse.

roscowgo · #9 Post by **roscowgo** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:07 am

+10 11 or 12 to the above.

Well hydrated. Get a camelbak and sip while riding. might help keep you cool too. If you're actively thirsty while out in the heat, you're well on your way to being dehydrated.

Eat nanners. potassium is good.

Stretch like a feind. beforehand and during stops. Even if it does make you look goofy in the parking lot.

SuperRookie · #10 Post by **SuperRookie** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:07 am

Yep...+1 for the potassium and the comment about dehydration being a big factor in cramping. Drink lots of water...and I know some of you probably don't like the taste but Gatorade is good stuff.