My back!

[SpokeyDokey]

Following quite tough ride for me yesterday I have woke up with a very stiff and sore back.

I have been sprayed with Deep Heat by Mrs SD - the side effect of which is that all the summer flying things have disappeared from the kitchen - life; full of small delights!

It was a fairly hilly route with about 1600' of ascent but there were a few tough short climbs within climbs if you see what I mean.

On several occasions I had to stand up and push down very hard to a) keep moving and b) not fall over as I was going so slow.

I did notice that at one point whilst standing that I was hunched over the bars - why I do not know but I felt my back 'pulling'. Standing up straighert helped.

Anyone got any technique tips for out of saddle uphill pedaling please?

Also, is standing up not advised ie should I really just stay in the saddle and tough it out?

 

[Hill Wimp]

I know all the advice says dont stand up unless you are racing or need to avoid a hazard but when I climb sitting my back kills me. I know it could be down to my dreadful technique and possible set up but the right Sid of my lower back is pretty painful by the end of the ride.

 

[mark st1]

I couldn't stay seated on a long hill climb i need to stand to get feeling back in my legs lol. Like you though the more i lean over the more my back seems to hurt. I try and use the top of the bars instead of the hoods which keeps my back straight ish as im almost stood bolt up right for a bit. Thats just me though not saying its right and im also assuming your on a road bike ?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I couldn't stay seated on a long hill climb i need to stand to get feeling back in my legs lol. Like you though the more i lean over the more my back seems to hurt. I try and use the top of the bars instead of the hoods which keeps my back straight ish as im almost stood bolt up right for a bit. Thats just me though not saying its right and im also assuming your on a road bike ?

Yes - Giant TCX1.

 

[mark st1]

I know all the advice says dont stand up unless you are racing or need to avoid a hazard but when I climb sitting my back kills me. I know it could be down to my dreadful technique and possible set up but the right Sid of my lower back is pretty painful by the end of the ride.

I had the exact same issue and it was only resolved when i had my bike fit. Due to having my bike wrongly set up i had a twisted stance when sitting on the bike. Id always get the feeling id been punched in the back just behind my hip after a long ride. I know a few people poor scorn on having a bike fit as a "waste of money " and you should be able to do it yourself. That approach didnt work for me though and im glad i paid the money as i had the most comfortable 70 mile ride in my bike riding history yesterday

 

[Hill Wimp]

There's another thread on here ( forgot which one) that recommended a book by Rebecca Ramsay called Climb like a pro. I've got it on my kindle but I zooming through some other cycling books most of which are about doping. Perhaps There is a message there ..... only joking but I can recommend David Millars book Racing through the dark and The secret race by Tyler Hamilton.

 

[Mo1959]

@SpokeyDokey No great advice for you I'm afraid, but as you've probably read at some point on here, I suffer from the same affliction. Climbing or pushing into a headwind are the two things that really exacerbate mine.

I think though that after putting in more miles your back does strengthen slightly as it seems to take longer before it starts hurting. I mix sitting and standing. The long gradual climbs I mostly sit and just try to spin a lowish gear but the steeper sections I usually stand up for sections and find it gives a bit of relief.

If you don't mind spending some dosh I am sure a professional bike fit would certainly be worth a try.

 

[numbnuts]

Lower gears and sit and spin

 

[Tanis8472]

Probably increasing core strength could help as you will be using muscles that can cope with long time demands better than the muscles in your back.

 

[Goonerobes]

As a fellow back sufferer I sympathize with your problem.

From my experience, (& probably everyone elses!), an upright riding position has always been more comfortable & less painful afterwards. So with this in mind I recently purchased the Roubaix as my first road bike & got my LBS to flip the stem & set the handlebars as high as possible so now they are more or less level with my saddle. 10 days into riding it although not having had to stand up & pedal yet my back actually feels better than normal, although this may just be a coincidence?

As @Tanis8472 says strengthening the muscles may help too & I used a gym ball after my surgery to do this & still use it 6 years on.

Ps. Obviously you might want to seek medical advise to determine if it is muscular or a spinal problem. eg. trapped nerve etc.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Lower gears and sit and spin

Yes - this and more practice climbing. Your lower back will strengthen with time.