Hip Cramps

[duckdave]

Ya'll ol' timers 'l know what I mean. I need someone with exercise savvy to help me out. I don't mind the riding position on my unmodified RR (short seat, I've been told), but for long rides sometimes you just have to shift positions a bit to shake things out. So here's what I've worked out for options:

• Put the pillion pegs out and ride it like a crotch rocket (I gotta be pretty desperate for this one)
  Put one, or the other, or both, feet up on the jugs
  Put one, or the other, or both, legs up on the jugs

The last two positions have worked for me in the past. But now, as soon as I assume the position, I'll get a cramp in my hip. It's just like those cramps you get in your thigh sometimes a night (or when rough-housing with someone bigger than you and they knee your thigh) Yowie! And it won't go away until I stand up. Standing on the pegs works somewhat, but standing on solid ground is best. Not too convenient sometimes. And the cramp site stays tender for some time (maybe a couple days?).

So I'm thinking, I need to do some stretching, some exercises, something. My wife says I need to do yoga, but I'm not good with organized religion, plus I'd look silly in the mad moon dog position, I'm sure.

Any prescriptions? Websites to consult?

[Airman]

Dave,

I use all your suggestions on long trips. As well, I picked up another trick riding with some GS guys once. Stick your legs straight out from the foot pegs, kinda like putting your feet down but out from the bike enough that you don't touch down. Looks pretty funny from the back, but it lets you straighten your legs out.
The standup on the pegs position will let you put some weight on your legs.

[Boxer]

I'll get those cramps when I suddenly stick my leg down to "point" at a road hazard to warn a follower in a group ride. Hurts like hell! And I sometimes just have to stand up on the pegs to stop it...or pull over and get off the bike.

I will just hang my legs down sometimes too, as suggested above. I couldn't do that on that F650 but I can on the Roadster. Be careful you don't hang them too far. I could see a broken or sprained ankle happeneing with that maneuver.

[Biff's R]

Eat more bananas.

[GypsyRR]

Your wife is right. But you don't have to join a yoga class. Just doing some hip stretching exercises daily will help with the problem.

Potassium (like from bananas, or a supplement) is good for cramps that are caused by a fluid loss. Calcium/Magnesium is better for the type of cramps you are experiencing, and can be taken daily.

[Biff's R]

Milk, It does a body good!

[machew01]

During a long day of riding, it helps me to take short walks during the day. One effective technique requires carrying a colorful nametag. Take a break in the parking lot of a large supermarket. Don the nametag, walk inside, find a cashier checking out a pretty woman customer, give the customer a friendly "Welcome to . . " greeting, start bagging her groceries, deliver the groceries to her car, and load them into the car for her. Four or five customers later, you've walked, stretched, lifted, made some new friends, and maybe even picked up a few bucks in tips. Or you could just go for a walk.


mac

[Boxer]

Why does the customer have to be pretty?

[towerworker]

Why does the customer have to be pretty?

Why would you even ask that question?

[machew01]

Phil, since you are happily married, I would strongly suggest that you limit yourself to the ugly ones.

mac

[rdsmith3]

back on topic ...

Look for some books by Pete Egoscue or go to his web site
http://www.egoscue.com/

I do some stretching for my back every day, based on his stuff, and it has really, really helped my back.

[duckdave]

back on topic ...

Look for some books by Pete Egoscue or go to his web site
http://www.egoscue.com/

I do some stretching for my back every day, based on his stuff, and it has really, really helped my back.

I went to the web site. The exercise of the week is the Kneeling Groin Stretch. It's supposed to strenghten your back and "open up your hips" (good for golf... I wonder if it's good for motorcycling?). I will give this a try.

Thanks!

[duckdave]

I rode up to Eureka Springs from Little Rock this weekend. Tried the "leg-straight-down" trick that Airman suggested; got the "hip-cramp-thing" going immediately, just like after the "there's-a-dead-skunk-over-there" gesture ala Boxer. Had to pull over, kick my side stand down and roll off to the ground... well, now I'm exaggerating a bit, but I did have to walk around a bit for it to clear. My hip hurt the whole next day on the ride home.

But other wise the ride was sweet!

[GypsyRR]

I rode up to Eureka Springs from Little Rock this weekend. Tried the "leg-straight-down" trick that Airman suggested; got the "hip-cramp-thing" going immediately, just like after the "there's-a-dead-skunk-over-there" gesture ala Boxer. Had to pull over, kick my side stand down and roll off to the ground... well, now I'm exaggerating a bit, but I did have to walk around a bit for it to clear. My hip hurt the whole next day on the ride home.

But other wise the ride was sweet!

Only one option left, Dave. Get you some yoga pants and join a yoga and/or pilates class asap.

[duckdave]

Guess you are right...the kneeling groin stretch and bananas are not working for me!

[Ves]

I've never heard of a cramp that hurts the next day.

Could they be pinched nerves or some sort of arthritic condition in the hip joint. Motorcycle seats can do funny things to our back and hips, and pain can radiate, making it hard to pinpoint what exactly is going on.

[duckdave]

Ves,
A cramp is a severe contraction of a muscle. It's been my experience that the affected muscle is often sore the next day or so. That said, I believe the rest of your post is spot on---though I'm not yet ready to admit to those potential causes; I believe I'm suffering from a plain and simple cramp.

I've been doing a little reading and have run across a few other possibilities/solutions: First off, stretching exercises, even yoga, might help. My wife finally convinced me to do the 10-min routine she does every morning with a video tape. Though the numbingly mindless murmured instructions and "bliss music" almost drove me instantly insane (thankfully, it was only 10 mins) I'll admit I can see some potential to yoga exercises. I just need to find me a video tape with rock music and some cute chick showing the positions! Second, potassium, calcium and magnesium all seem to be involved.

I found a couple of new ones that seem likely:
Dehydration---yep, this one is a biggie in the cramp world. This could definitely have been a factor on my recent trip. I carried a couple bottles of water, since I was just on a "short" trip; but both days were warm, and my short trip lasted 5–6 hrs. On day 2 I had a couple of other symptoms (tiredness, difficulty concentrating) that I since have linked to possible dehydration.
Statins---yep, a known side effect of these, and guess what I started taking about 1.5 years ago now? Coincidence?

[duckdave]

Update:

Well, they just went away. The cure?
Ride more.

Rode about 1900 miles the past 4 days. I've also been on several trips this summer. Not one cramp. Able to put legs up on juggs, hang them down toward the street, etc. No problems.
Whew!

[bucky katt]

i used to spend alot of hours on horseback and i got the same cramps, stand up on the pegs (in the stirrups) for a couple of seconds, thats what always worked for me.

[Sunbeemer]

It rained early on the first day of my ride to TN last summer, so I wore a rain suit for a couple hours in steaming Florida heat, then 6 more hours in sweltering sun and wind. I drank a lot of water on the way, and had a big Coke when I arrived at the hotel that evening. That night I had terrible cramps in feet, calves, thighs, etc. I'd brought but had not taken Medi-Lyte electrolyte replacement tablets and took a couple with water which cured the cramps in 5-10 mins. These tablets contain the sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium you sweat out but water alone can't replace (maybe Gatorade does).