Ongoing muscular pain despite rest on big biking trip

See a doctor - 10 days is too long to ignore that sort of pain. Don't mean to put the frighteners on you but a couple of years back I had persistent cramp-like ( and I do mean it felt exactly like a cramp - right down to a hard 'muscle knot' ) pain in a calf muscle that turned out to be a blood clot. I of course tried to ride it out, massage it out and stretch it out - all the exact things I shouldn't have done! That said, it's likely to be nothing more than a diet or viral thingy that will pass.

If its a diet thing, I suspect you need to eat more protein. Your diet should be rich in both carbs and protein. You may already have a good knowledge of nutrition but I am generally surprised how many don't so i'll spell it out.

Lots of protein for tissue repair. So because you are exercising a lot, your health and fitness will be best maintained by eating plenty of protein. It doesn't have to be all meat.
Lots of carbs for energy.
Fat is also essential.
Lots of fresh fruit and vegies for minerals and vitamins.
Keep yours salts up. If you get headaches you may be dehydrated even though you are not thirsty because your body salts are out of whack. Dehydration can also cause muscle cramping though in my experiences its usually in the calves. On the other hand cramps can be caused my overuse.

Anyway i have not ever had your actual experience.

It's not only what you do on the bike, it's also what you do off the bike. I've got a Pilates/stretching routine that I follow, at home and while on tour, I vary it depending on how I feel, it's a safeguard against injury, so go and see a doctor and start looking after yourself while off the bike, take it easy.

Is she dead?

Is she fit and pedalling on?

Have her fingers seized up so she can't post?

Who knows!

Rather worrying unless she is just too busy cycling again now.
We can but hope that is the case though it would be nice to get a follow up post!

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.