Beginners neck pain

[lavoisier]

Hi all

I have managed to stop aching generally but when I'm out on my bike I have a lot of pain in the muscles in the back of my neck. I have a road bike and I guess it's with keeping my head tipped back a lot.

Has anybody else any experience of this and will it disappear eventually?

Thanks

Paul

 

[Brommyboy]

It sounds as though your bars may be too low and the reach too long for now. You may not be used to sitting that far forward! This also happens to those who cycle mostly on upright bikes then do intermittent long rides on so called 'road' bikes. I seem to think that most bikes are used on the road, which includes my Brompton and touring cycle (which has drop bars but a shorter reach, on which my bars are just below the level of the saddle).

 

[leyburnrunner]

andy schleck has the same problem...

 

[Arsen Gere]

Over the years I've had the same issue and it has always gone away. I usually get it after a long lay off, injury, work etc.

I think your arms may be supporting you rather than feet and saddle. If you can ride with a lighter touch on the bars it may help. Also try looking down at your back wheel between your feet periodically, to stretch out the muscles.

 

[lavoisier]

Thanks Arsen, I shall try that. Perhaps I should have mentioned that I've only been going out on my bike for a week so given time it may disappear. It's just that it's spoiling my rides.

Paul

 

[doog]

here's a tip: Swing your drops upwards slightly so the hoods are poking up. If you look at my bike you will see that my drops kind of stick up . I also have an angled stem. This is because I suffer from a bad back. You need to be slightly more upright until your body gets used to the position. You can then drop them lower over the weeks as you adjust.

 

[brockers]

To echo Brommyboy, to check that your reach is in the right ball-park, sit as normal on the seat with your hands on the hoods, arms slightly bent. What I'd call comfortable. If you tilt your head to look down at the floor, your should find the handlebars obscure your hub, but a few mils either way is fine.

If that's OK, then I'd say it's a matter of slowly getting used to the position. If it's still causing grief, then you'll either need a more upright position, or to work on your flexibility, or explain things to a bike fit expert or physiotherapist type professional.

 

[MacB]

nothing wrong with the advice given so far but you really need to sort your saddle position, height and fore/aft, before you mess about with the bars.