Neck pain while riding

[terry_gardener]

i have recently taken up cycling again and have been cycling for about the last 3 weeks. i started doing short trips round local area about 3.5 miles (i know it isn't alot) and i don't get any pains, just some heavy breathing as i am v.unfit .

i went out the last couple of times with my nephew and we ended up doing 11.2 miles one trip and 10.5 miles the other during the ride after about 6 miles or so my neck starts to hurt slightly and it continues until i have stopped for good couple of hours. i also suffer from uncomfortable hands and try to move them but since i ride flat bar there isn't alot of options you can do with your hands.

the bike i ride is a Raleigh urban 2 which is a hybrid.

the local LBS sorted the saddle out when i picked up the bike and reading the saddle height articles it seems to be correct and i don't get any knee pain.

any ideas

 

[vickster]

How is the reach on the bike? Are your arms slightly bent etc. I was getting lower back pain on my bike, a shorter stem seems to have helped and moving the saddle forwards

Good pair of gel mitts will help hand pain (and protect palms if you have a tumble ). Might be worth getting some bar ends too for another position

 

[wheres_my_beard]

You could try some basic bar ends to add some variety to your hand positions and invest in some cycling specific gloves with some good padding across the palm.

Raising your handlebar height may help with your neck problem; I'm assuming it's the back of your neck that hurts(?).

This should also take the pressure off your hands as you won't be leaning forward onto them as much.

 

[terry_gardener]

I'm assuming it's the back of your neck that hurts(?).

yes pain is at the back of the neck.

i have some altura nightvision (windprove) gloves somewhere just can't find them.

 

[Ace Demon]

i also suffer from uncomfortable hands and try to move them but since i ride flat bar there isn't alot of options you can do with your hands.

As a general rule, after a comfortable bar reach/height has been achieved, if the bar is brought closer (if you had two bikes with different frame & stem lengths, say) it needs to be raised. As suggested elsewhere your bars could be too low for the reach. Or, conversely, you could have it too close for the height. The former is easier to fix.

A flat bar doesn't stop you from changing the parts of the hands that make contact with the bar. Only the place on the bar where you can put your hands obviously doesn't vary much. An important distinction. Adding bar ends can provide a bit more adjustability. I put my bar ends inboard of the brake levers, though (but not always possible, with some types of gear shifter).

 

[Globalti]

Look at Ergon grips, they are very comfortable.

 

[Chilternrides]

Another thing to consider if you are relatively new to riding is are you too (unintentionally) tense? You may not be aware of it but you could be gripping the bars very tightly or hunching your back & shoulder muscles up.

As well as the advice on stem length and bar height, remember to relax your posture when riding - and do check yourself as you can start off "relaxed" and tense up over time, so try to make a concious effort to stay loose periodically.

Most importanty - please don't give up - your body will get used to the unfamiliar positioning, the aches will go away and you'll very quickly begin to enjoy being out for longer.

Not quite so quickly, but quickly enough, you will also see & feel the physical & general health benefits of cycling. Good luck, and keep at it!

 

[fossyant]

You will get neck pain until your body is used to it !

 

[henshaw11]

Try to keep a slight bend in your elbows to reduce shock through the hands, and try to support with your hands rather than put a lot of weight on them - and keep the back of the hands/forearm in line - don't 'sink' into you wrists.

Neck - might simply be the muscles need to strengthen - tweaks to bar height, saddle position, stem rise might help.
As said above - try to relax.

Some years ago I was way too tense on the road bike, the muscles at the back of my neck went into spasm - and I had a month+ of tension headaches which physio eased a little, and which recurs occasionally. Riding a mtb is borderline, anything lower tends to set it off. I sold the roadbike and mostly ride a recumbent nowadays....

 

[vorsprung]

You did 11 miles and have neck pain?

It's simple, you are not fit at all

Just ignore the pain and ride more

 

[terry_gardener]

just like to thank everyone for there advice on this.

i am going to give it, a bit of time to see if neck pain improves as it might be just needs to get use to it.

if this doesn't work i will look into the other options mentioned.

thank you

 

[terry_gardener]

It's simple, you are not fit at all

i know, it is because when i passed my driving test about 8 yrs and got a car i stopped exercising and just used the car, but now i have got ridden of the car so i get fitter.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

I tend to get it in the neck after a ride ,, generaly from the wife who says i took to long

 

[APK]

I've recently returned to bikes, and get a neck pain too, as others have said I think it will pass, but I find it is because I have to tilt my head up to see the road, and I am probably tense, I have no issues on my MTB (but do fewer, shorter journeys)

 

[G-Zero]

Terry,

A bit like yourself, I've only recently returned to the bike and started getting an ache in the back of neck towards the end of rides. This is getting less each time I go out, so certainly for me it is a fitness thing and the fact that I've not had my head & neck in this position for so long.

Hopefully yours will be the same, so don't give up.