Bike Leg Cramps (inside of leg above knee)

I have the same exact problem on long rides and especially runs immediately following long rides.  I don't think its fitness since I trained for and completed Ironman St. George with no problems but had the issue occur in an olympic just a few months later.  I know that I am a heavy sweater so my first guess was hydration but you would think that I would have cramping issues in other muscles. 

The only thing I have found so far is that the problem happens more often when I wear longer tri shorts. I have a pair of Garneau's that sit right about where the cramp happens. I also have a pair of Desoto's that sit a bit higher and I have never cramped while wearing them.  Its a reach but I'm starting to think that the longer shorts are just too tight around that part of my leg.

Could be a little of both. I think it's just called, "Triathlon."

I don't think shorts are my issue.  I was wearing Desoto 4 pocket Rivera shorts.  They stop a fair way above this area. 

It is really odd to me that this area is tender to the touch today.

Cramping is a big mystery in endurance sports, but most often are associated intense effort over distance.  Sounds too obvious, but the suspected reason why they occur in races so often is because we usually race harder than we train and for a longer period of time.  So it often times comes down to proper pacing.  The harder you go, the more nutrition you may need and the harder it is to digest.   

Sounds like you were trying to race above your current ability.  There is nothing wrong with that, sometimes you have to take the chance, but your body wasn't ready.  In my best HIM, I cramped badly in the last half mile, which was almost perfect (on the edge, but not over).  I was more fit the next year came back and cramped at mile 3 of the run, not so perfect and walked in 30 minutes slower despite being in better shape.  It's all learning and the more you race the more you learn.    

In addition to the above mentioned, did you change your cleat type any time recently? 

Once I switched to speed plays with unlimited float, my heels naturally align closer to my bike compared to the position of heel with my fixed shimano style cleat, making the inner quads fire much more than in the past.

Just a thought...

Good thought, but no I got my fit about 6 months ago and haven't changed anything that I know of.  Did have some maintenance done at the fitters shop (Race day clean up) but nothing to change fit.

It is possible my leg position opened or closed more on the ride??? I do know after it started cramping I paid more attention to "wiping the mud off" on the bottom of my stroke. 

Were you watching your cadence and gearing? How did it compare to your training rides. I have noticed that when my cadence drops and I start to "mash" the gears a bit I can feel the fatigue in the same area that you said was cramping. If I can get the cadence back up with a gear change I can feel the difference immediatly. my .02

By the way congrats, on taking on the 70.3. Look forward to reading your race report.  

I've ridden the entire course before, though never non stop.

So many responses seem to ignore this nugget.  I am guessing the OP has not ridden the course after swimming 1.2 miles either.  So you have someone in his first HIM, starting the ride with a higher HR and calorie deficit and attempting to ride straight through having never done so before. 

Before tweaking cleat position, cadence, bike shorts, etc., wouldn't it be of interest if he simply kept training and worked on better pacing in the next race?  If the cramps didn't occur in training based on cleats, shorts and cadence what changed?  My guess is effort.

And to the OP, congrats on fighting through to the finish, in spite of the cramping!   

I would say fitness. 

Keep in mind that you need to adjust your effort levels due to the weather too.  When it's hot, you have to slow down.