Training & Nutrition - back and neck pain

hi guys. i'm new to bike riding. The summer started and I've been riding my friends basic gary fisher mountain bike around during the day. After about 50 km or 30 miles or so my back and neck are very uncomfortable and sometimes painful. I'm planning on buying a road bike in the future but i'm really worried about these issues. I'm 22 years old. Does anyone know what's specifically causing these problems? I think this particular bike is too small for me but i'm not sure if that's the real reason. Is it possible to ride a bike without such problems? Is there a bike that will fit me without back and neck pain? Thanks.

50k is a fair amount of distance if you aren't used to riding very much. Many people would be sore after those distances, though at 22 you have the advantage of youth.

My guess is that you are overstressing muscles that you don't use very often *and* you don't have very good core strength. Strength in your core (abs and back, but abs especially) is your friend. It's probably more you than the bike. Stretching is also important - tight hamstrings and back muscles can do bad things to your position.

I'd also check how you are sitting on the bike. Are you hunching your shoulders? Are you holding the bars tightly? That can also do it. Are you pushing a big gear (ie do you pedal fairly slowly but push hard, vs pedalling more quickly but not pushing as hard)? That could also contribute.

Unless you have a congenital problem - which seems unlikely since you didn't mention any previous neck/back problems - its very likely you can find a road bike that works for you and ride 100k or more without these issues, *if* you get a proper fit (ie buy a bike from somebody who knows how to fit people to bikes) and you work up to long distances.

Hope that helps.

I agree. Working up to those distances (and longer) conditions your body to the added stress. I always advocate core strengthening.

Like weight training, you starts small, recover and gradually increase the stress to your muscles. The body is resilient. You'll get there.

hey, thanks for the replies. i was hoping it was something like this. it's good news if it's simply an issue of my back being weak. I can improve that over time. I grip the bars too tightly because my hands hurt and my skin rubs off. I think i'm just not used to this but it's a lot of fun. I also find pushing a big gear was easier on my back and much less tiring for some reason. I like the road so hopefully i'll get stronger. thanks