WHY THIS HAPPENS
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Fitness mismatch — riding above your durability threshold recruits fresh muscle fibres that cramp
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Neuromuscular fatigue — the current science points to this over pure electrolyte loss
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Under-fuelling — low glycogen contributes to cramp susceptibility
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Pacing errors — surging above threshold, then sustaining, then surging again
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Dehydration compounding neuromuscular fatigue (not causing cramps alone, but amplifying)
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Sodium losses for heavy sweaters in heat over 5+ hours
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Lack of long-ride training — the body hasn't adapted to the duration demands