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I've had this a couple of times over the last few years, probably one of the most painful things I've ever had. The inside facing end of the top half of the leg, just at the knee, contracts hard leaving the leg unusable and me on the floor for a couple of minutes until it stops and then another few minutes until I can get up. Tends to happen towards the end of a long ride, on a low gear climb or if I get my gear selection wrong and strain myself trying to ride it out.
Been fortunate enough that it's always happened in a safe place where I could stop and get on the floor quickly if not gracefully. Now I've learnt to spot the early hint of it happening, and just walk for a few minutes which seems to allow everything to settle down.
But what might be causing it and what adjustment or exercise would help?
Riding flat pedals and 165mm cranks. I wear IXS Flow knee pads, the top elastic is over the affected muscle but it's not particularly tight.
Cramps are commonly caused by en electrolyte imbalance. Are you taking any sort of electrolytes as a supplement to your diet - particulary before/during/after physical exercise?
High5 Zero tablets, one per bottle during ride.
Ive occasionally had this after a ride in warm weather and sweating a lot. I have read explanations that its is an electrolyte imbalance and that it is muscle tiredness. Personally I think it is the combination of both.
If you can’t avoid the tiredness you can minimise the electrolyte imbalance by adding High 5 Zero tabs to all your drinking water during the ride, as suggested above.
squatswhat adjustment or exercise would help?