Spectacle/Neck problems!!

[knapdog]

I'm building my mileage up slowly for RAB next year, going for a 56 mile ride today. I felt quite negative about 3/4 of the way around, wondering how I could ever manage the expected mileage during the challenge! I came back sore all over though particularly my neck and I think I know the problem.
I'm having to raise my neck a bit higher, I expect, than normal so that I can actually see through my prescription glasses. I can peer over the top but of course everything is blurred. As a result I find I'm staring at the road not a great deal ahead of my front wheel !!!
Has anyone else had this problem and what is the remedy? - Very large frames for the glasses or contact lenses (which I don't get on with 100%?

 

[Garz]

I guess larger frames yes, unless you want to wear goggles or a style that is almost one large lens that doesnt split at nose section.

 

[wafflycat]

Being a specs wearer, I sympathise.

Possible solutions:-

Bigger lenses.
Contact lenses.
Cycling specs with prescription lens insert.
Cycling specs with prescription lenses.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Hi Knapdog and welcome to the forum.

I had exactly the same problem a few years ago when I came back to cycling after what seemed like eons away. In my case, the problem was compounded by me suffering arthritis in my neck and the consequent restricted movement.

After mucking with stem and seat heights, I ordered some prescription sunglasses in frames which came higher over my eyebrows than standard specs. That and using a raised stem solved the problem completely. Do bear in mind though that in the early stages of training you may well experience discomfort until your muscles become used to the position. In addition, a friend who was a good club racer for years admitted that he more often than not came home with neck ache after long races.

 

[fossyant]

I use sports prescription glasses - my everyday glasses are pretty minimal and don't offer the eye protection, as well as the vision out of the 'top'.

PS neck and back pain is something that will go as you build up.

 

[accountantpete]

Contact lenses - they take some getting used to in some cases but well worth it especially if it rains.

what's your problem with them?

 

[knapdog]

My main problem is the contact lenses tend to dry out on me. On a possible 10 hr ride they'd be like sandpaper.

 

[HelenD123]

I was going to post something similar, but my problem is that I look under the frames when I look over my shoulder. I'm going to investigate contact lenses.

 

[trustysteed]

if cycling's very important to you, consider laser surgery. it really does change your sporting life!

 

[Garz]

Do bear in mind though that in the early stages of training you may well experience discomfort until your muscles become used to the position.

This is so true after a few weeks in the saddle my aches went. However if they were persistent I would start tweaking stuff and looking into it further.

 

[HLaB]

I'm building my mileage up slowly for RAB next year, going for a 56 mile ride today. I felt quite negative about 3/4 of the way around, wondering how I could ever manage the expected mileage during the challenge! I came back sore all over though particularly my neck and I think I know the problem.
I'm having to raise my neck a bit higher, I expect, than normal so that I can actually see through my prescription glasses. I can peer over the top but of course everything is blurred. As a result I find I'm staring at the road not a great deal ahead of my front wheel !!!
Has anyone else had this problem and what is the remedy? - Very large frames for the glasses or contact lenses (which I don't get on with 100%?

My Frames are quite small and I where them close to my face (if they slip forward I push them back), when selecting specs its one of my criteria that I can get a pair tat I can wear close so that I cant easily peer over them.
these are my pair (they're reactolite btw)

 

[g00se]

Hi,

Have you tried daily disposable contact lenses? They don't seem to dry out as much - though I couldn't say for that length of ride. Maybe those with non-prescription cyclist shades?

 

[purplepolly]

My main problem is the contact lenses tend to dry out on me. On a possible 10 hr ride they'd be like sandpaper.

Have you tried eye drops? Systane is designed to work with contact lenses. Wrap around sunglasses would also help keep the eyes moist.
http://www.systane.co.uk/about_systane.html

 

[Muddyfox]

Find out where snooker players buy their specs from

Simon

 

[Haitch]

Tell the optician you are ordering prescription lenses for cycling-specific glasses and that you want the focal point towards the top of the lenses and not in the centre as is the case with ordinary specs.