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Sore calfs after mountain climb
On Saturday I cycled from Manchester to Edale and then climbed (without my bike) Grindsbrook with some friends. They took the train there, but I cycled (to make it epic) In total it was 1,126m climbing by bike and foot, so I am claiming it counts as a mountain. 
However I am now suffering the hang over. It is now 48 ours later and my calves are very tender. I admit I don't go walking to often or combine it with riding. I recently did the Manchester 100k and was absolutely fine the next day. I know it will get better for the weekend but wonder if anyone has any tips for shaking off muscle strain. A nice hot bath would be great but I only have a shower.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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16 comments
A generous application of Deep Heat* & some Ibuprofen Gel on the offending muscles, a glass of whisky and an evening or two in front the fire ought to do the job.....works for my half knackered body when I've tried to keep up with my son heading up the hills on his pushrod.
* make sure you don't get this mixed up with Chamois Cream at a later date.
Presumably you got the train home too?
Stay epic....
Point of order, Kinder Scout is a Marilyn not a Munro.
Wow, great replies (mostly.) I don't usually do climbing of the pedestrian kind so it wasn't the bike route that caused the problem, more the 40 degree bouldering. I had always wondered what the rolling was for. I will try some warm water in a bidon and see if that helps.
Meanwhile, Crikey is not impressed. Boohoo; we have all seen the quality of replies you provide on this forum, so put downs from you are of no credence. I am sorry you are disappointed with my choice of 'epic', I am sure Sir Stephen Fry would scold you for not being aware that language is a fluid and evolving form. I am 38 and a half so thanks for saying I am 'youth' innit. As for relying on The Rules, it just indicates a lack of whit to come up with your own insults; Rule #5 = lazy thinking.
For me on the calf front, I used to get quite bad DOMS in my calves from combining the gym and cycling.
The best thing for me has been lots of calf raises (all you need is a stair). I do 50 every morning while waiting for the kettle to boil as part of my morning wake-up routine. I then do a few extra ones (3-4 sets of 20 in the following few hours, not all on one hit) after cycling or a gym workout that focused on lower legs - it might hurt during the raises, but (for me) it banishes the DOMs very quickly.
As Flying Scot says "Hill fit is very different from bike fit".
My friends and I had a serious dose of Doms the day after climbing Ben Nevis. Don't lie down to it. Keep mobile and you'll recover quicker. The ones who didn't keep on the move took longer to recover.
Protein and creatine shakes immediately after extreme exercise help speed up recovery.
Protein works wonders after intervals or fast rides too. Water though, not milk, as you want it in your system ASAP. Doesn't taste nearly as good but if you have it right when you get in the door you'll hopefully be so thirsty you won't notice.
I have found that lots of protein post exercise helps ward of DOMS I tend to go for the convenience of a protein shake when I feel the need.
Good call, always eat within 15mins of finishing intense exercise (protein drink banana etc) then eat a good protein meal shortly thereafter
Hill fit is very different from bike fit, both of which we know are nothing like running.
It will wear off.
You other arses above need to take a serious look at yourself and go out on your bike and stop trolling.
Give over petal.
I do at least that 3 times a week; 40km by bike with 700 metres of climbing then 6 kms walking with 500 metres of climbing to the pub. Epic is an over used term and usually indicates a lack of fitness and moral fibre.
Youth of today, my arse.
You may be confusing me with OP.
What I mean is if all you do is cycle, you'll suffer from DOMS much more when doing something unfamiliar, am I right?
But since you do it all the time, you won't. But don't let that get in the way of how monumentally hard you are, petal.
That being said I'm with you on the definition of epic.
It's a punishment; riding out to Edale and walking up a hill is not and never will be 'epic'.
MTFU.
Fair enough 1000m on the bike isn't that much to many but walking up it is a whole other kettle of fish. Bagging a Munro hurts a helluva lot more the next few days compared to riding 160km with 2000m+ on the bike!
A foam roller is a very good way to recover from DOMS
There are loads of videos on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO1VRTv-GJs
You are suffering Doms (delayed onset muscle soreness) The soreness starts usually the next day with day 2 being the worst for very sore muscles. Relief is gentle massage, water bottle for warmth. Keep moving so stiffness wears off earlier. Can take upto a week to clear.
I usually get it from squats. I remember doing a squat workout after a layoff I literally couldn't walk up or down stairs.