Ow! I hurt myself while shifting...

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CNF2002 · #11 Post by **CNF2002** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:07 am

Water...thanks! Where would one buy a camelback? Would walmart stock them? Need a place thats 24/hours because I wont have time to stop into a store until around 11pm tonight.

#12 Post by **dr_bar** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:37 am

Walmart may have a cheap camel back, it's worth a try.

The best thing to do is to give it a good washing out when you get it. Then, fill it only half full then lay it down in the freezer. Just before you're ready to go, top it up and put it on, you will ahve a cool back and ice cold water until the ice melts.

As mentioned before, stretch, it's an important part of every sport, including getting on your bike. Here's a picture from Walmart's web site... apparently they do stock them starting at a whopping $20.00

dieziege · #13 Post by **dieziege** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:41 am

Walmart has cheap "hydration packs" (man I hate the term "hydration" ...)... but there is nothing wrong with using the old fashioned "water bottle" or even the infamous "canned juice"...

The real Camel Pak bags are too bloody expensive... $60+ for a small backpack with a bladder, a length of hose, and a silicone bite valve is crazy.

shane-o · #14 Post by **shane-o** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:19 pm

why change gears with ya foot when ya can easily install an after market system that attaches to your gear lever which allows the gears to be selected with 2 buttons on your handlebars

there are many different brands, but HD have a nice simple one

Shorts · #15 Post by **Shorts** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:47 pm

I also vote for the bananas and water for leg cramps. Just get a little more in ya the day before you take off. If you're not already, a daily multi-vitamin is good. And OJ or an orange at least every week is good.

The stretching is a good idea, though if you're stretching cold, take it real easy. You should be warm to stretch, otherwise you can hurt yourself.

Also, take a look to see if you can adjust the gear shift lever to a slightly different angle so you don't have to flex as much to shift.

jstark47 · #16 Post by **jstark47** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:17 pm

Another vote for potassium. Bananas, also avocadoes, melons, potatoes (but must eat the skin), a bunch of other fruits. Lots of sources, not hard to get if you have decent amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. And of course, keep hydrated. That means water, not diuretic-acting beverages like coffee, tea, soda, etc.

m1a1dvr · #17 Post by **m1a1dvr** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:29 pm

dr_bar wrote:Walmart may have a cheap camel back, it's worth a try.

You need to watch those cheap ones. The bladder sometimes leak.

#18 Post by **dr_bar** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 1:13 pm

m1a1dvr wrote:
dr_bar wrote:Walmart may have a cheap camel back, it's worth a try.
You need to watch those cheap ones. The bladder sometimes leak.

You have a leaky bladder???

roscowgo · #19 Post by **roscowgo** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:03 am

+1 on the el-cheapo walmart brand.

And on the stay away from diuertics.

If all the sugar doesnt bother you the gatorades of the world are decent for keeping you fluid filled too.

When i was heavy into the sports bit and doing the offseason weights/conditioning junk, i would get leg cramps bad enough to leave large blue bruises. Ptui to that.