PhysioPhyx LPR available at BikeParts.com
There are a lot of opinions about why muscle cramping occurs and everyone has their own advice when the topic comes up. Many sports drinks tell you that they key to preventing cramps is magnesium, bike fitters will tell you your saddle is too high or you have incorrect bike parts, and there are also dozens of different home remedies.
Unfortunately, muscle cramping is something cyclists deal with at all levels of the sport. The big question is what to do about muscle cramping, and what can you do to avoid them in the first place.
Interestingly enough, new insights as to what causes cramps is available. The post, The Real Cause of Muscle Cramps, offers insights into root causes of muscle cramps. And it’s not what you think! Muscle cramps aren’t the muscle; it’s the nerve. While this research continues to evolve to learning more about the root cause of cramps, we can at least use tried and true methods to prevent them. Here’s what we have found works.
Avoid muscle cramps in the first place by hydrating properly before and during your ride. If you’re a female cyclist, you may want to try out Osmo nutrition. There are three options:
- active hydration
- acute recovery
- preload hydration
What we like about this product is that it is nutrition “based on peer-reviewed science. The science is simple. Hydration, which refers to the maintenance of water in your blood, is critical to maximizing power, endurance and reducing fatigue. When you’re thirsty, you’ve already lost two percent of your body water—and 11 percent of your power.”
For all riders, another option is Skratch Labs. Again there are several options to sleet including:
- All day – daily electrolyte mix
- Single workout – exercise hydration mix
- Hyper nutrition – hyper hydration mix
- Rescue hydration – for dehydration
Finally, an all time favorite! Honey Stinger products – tasty edibles on the ride.
- waffles
- gels
- energy bars
- organic chews
All of those are great nutritional products while riding, but what products are available post ride? As we all know, recovery is a critical element of preparing for the next bout of exercise. New in our Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop is PhysioPhyx. Here’s what we like about this product. PhysioPhyx LPR takes recovery nutrition to a new level of support and performance by delivering a powerful, evidence-based blend of Carbohydrates + Protein + Leucine. This potent combination of nutrients has been precisely formulated to help ensure you rapidly and effectively restore muscle energy (glycogen), minimize muscle soreness, stimulate muscle repair and speed training adaptations after moderate, intense and exhaustive exercise or competition. In fact, recent studies have shown the nutrient trio of Carbs + Protein + Leucine taken after exercise creates an absolute ideal environment for your body to quickly go into recovery overdrive. Who doesn’t like “overdrive”?!
Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com Blog 
[…] So yes, that means you can drink during cyclocross races. While you might think of it an an opportunity to consume adult beverages, we’re actually talking about water and other nutritional products. Because racers can now drink while racing cyclocross, what are the best options: bottles or a hydration pack? Your choice may come down to individual preference but there are several factors to consider. Weather conditions play a factor as well as course considerations. If the course is slick with mud and minimal safe passing zones, then bottles may be undesirable. The same applies for tricky descents in which a bump tosses the bottle right out of its cage. Then again, if the course dictates multiple run ups requiring shoulder mounts, then having a backpack may be limiting. At a minimum, it’s important to have water bottles and containers available pre-race that can be tossed aside before the start. Equally important is having bottles and nutritional support available immediately post race for adequate refueling and recovery. […]
[…] nutrition. We have several options including nutritional products just for women. Specifically, Osmo nutrition. This product is specific to women offering three options: active hydration, acute recovery, and […]