Crampin up!

[BoristheBiter]

please note that if you do one of these or any other type of carbo shot ant your not 100% hydrated they can draw water back out from you and give really bad cramps.

Yep very true.

[WRFracer]

please note that if you do one of these or any other type of carbo shot ant your not 100% hydrated they can draw water back out from you and give really bad cramps.

I'll back you on that comment, I've read that myself and also experienced it.

[Crabby]

Good on you, it's hard work but well worth the effort.

If I can offer the one thing I learnt from parenthood / self employment & trying to keep the bank manager happy, take 30 minutes a day for yourself, you need to be healthy & happy to survive adulthood.

Cheers! You do have a good point! Think I might clear out some space in the garage to at least setup my exercycle!

[BoristheBiter]

Cheers! You do have a good point! Think I might clear out some space in the garage to at least setup my exercycle!

Get a child seat for the back of the bike.

[scott411]

I'll back you on that comment, I've read that myself and also experienced it.

i tried them once as well at a tarawera 100, gave me horrible cramps, something you need to get used to before you try them racing,

[Ktmboy]

Great topic and interesting points guys/girls
IMO the carbo shots are great but probably are better used toward the end of an enduro/X country race to get the rider over the line.
Nothing like a good feed of sandwiches and electrolites between stages for longativitie.
Big thing is really fitness and diet if you really want to be competetive and lets face it most of us are weekend racers as oppossed to the elite in our sport whom really take neutrician and training to a whole new level.
If you are planning the odd race for fun then just approach it that way...go and have a few beers the week before...race... then remember the fun times.
If you want to race competitive then you have to go the whole hog.

[camchain]

Can really relate to this 2fitty. I get 'em nasty in same place/inside thigh. At times can't even get off bike properly, have to stop and fall off.

Ditto on Maganesium - does seem to help. Mate-of-a-mate apparently swears by potatoe chips so I've added little container of salt to gear bag too.

I always do a 20-30 sec light stretch each leg prior to getting on bike. Squat down with one leg straight out to the side. Definitely don't stretch to pain point (bad to 'hard' stretch on cold muscle) - just so you can feel it tight, then should feel it loosen a little after a while.

A stretch after ride helps to stop them on the drive home. Had them so bad, had to leap out of car and furiously punch leg. End up with bruises. (This must look like insanity to onlookers but who cares)

For some reason what ever is in muscle doesn't purge out properly, I reckon stretch helps to move crap out after activity (lactic acid or whatever). A quick lunchtime stretch seems to help too. Cramp always seems to come worse after a period of inactivity?

Two muscles inside thigh: 'Adductors' and another tricky one called 'Sartorious' (sp?) - kind of like a strap runs diagonally across inside thigh and attaches to knee. Can feel both these muscles if you roll leg around slightly when stretching. I think this sartorious one seems main prob for me, reckon it's from gripping bike with knees in the rough stuff.

Used to have machine for this at my gym but for some reason they took it out (not that I go to gym anyway). Can actually excersise this part when sitting, by squeezing knees together. Few mins a day can't hurt? Just though of this - maybe even do as a warm up on drive to track?