Yesterday, I suggested to my SAT that we go for a longer ride.  I decided we both needed some exercise and a reason to explore a different part of town.  Sadly, it has been months since 1) I last rode more than 20 miles and 2) I’ve cycled regularly.  So, last night, I did a little research and selected a route that seemed feasible.  It was a 70 mile loop around McDowell Mountain in the NE part of the city.  Note that it has been MONTHS since my last long ride.

The first hour or so was quite enjoyable, as the temperature was a very comfortable 18C / 64F and there was little climbing.  I felt great, I felt fast, and I was happy.  I said all that to my SAT and I think he was pleasantly surprised by my words (or shocked, I couldn’t tell).

Around mile 50, my right quadricep muscle suddenly tensed up and “freaked out.”  This was rather alarming, as that had never happened to me before while riding my bike.  (It DID occur on my recent hike in the Grand Canyon, but I digress.)  We took a brief pause at that moment to feed me salt pills, water, and encouragement.  I tried stretching my legs, but that resulted in ominous muscle twinges, so I stopped that in a hurry.  After pushing my bike up the current hill for a few minutes, I gingerly repositioned myself on my saddle and started pedaling.  My plan was to keep spinning my legs, remain in an easy gear, and focus on my breathing.

A few miles later, my right inner thigh muscles seized up and started complaining to me.  Crap.  This was not good.  I really wanted to finish the ride, but if my muscles continued to cramp, I may have to abort my mission.  I walked my bike a few more minutes, gently stretching my muscles as I hobbled along, then placed my posterior on my saddle, more determined to finish the ride.  I was SO CLOSE!

Well, dear readers, apparently my left leg felt neglected and desired my attention, for at mile 61, it decided to convulse and quiver.  “That’s it, you’re done,” my SAT declared.  “But I’m only 9 miles away!!” I wailed.  “NO.  Stay here and I’ll ride back and pick you up in the truck,” he said.  Humph. So, I waited in the shade, stretched out all the muscles I had, cramped or not, read a book, and drank some water.

I guess I should consider riding my bike a bit more regularly if I want to avoid experiencing muscle abuse!  (…or buy an electric bike…)

Readers, if you have incurred leg cramping, how do you combat them?  Avoid them?

(“C” is for cramp.  I am amusing myself while waiting for my ride/support vehicle to pick me up!)