Road Cycling - Sore neck

After even just a 15-20 mile ride, it is slightly uncomfortable to hold my neck at the angle required to look ahead when I'm in the drops. I'm a newbie, (only 70 miles total in this position) so is this something that will improve as I get used to the position, or do I need to question my position on the bike? (the bike was fitted/adjusted by my LBS using the bikefitting.com system, so I assumed this would be correct....)

Thanks, Ryan.

You should'nt be in the drops all the time.

I find that when I use a helmet with a visor, it aggravates the situation, as I must lift my head up higher to see the road,

Most folks use the drops mainly for downhills. You should be varying between the drops, the bars and the hoods.

It may get better as you get used to it. Don't forget to stretch.

However, no fitting system has a formula for bar height. If you're uncomfortable, the bars should be raised. It's your bike, you should be comfortable on it.

Since the steerer has already been cut, you'd need a stem with more rise. If the shop that did the fitting sold you the bike, they ought to swap stems for you at no charge.

Meanwhile, yes, limit your time in the drops (most riders spend the majority of time on the tops or the hoods) and by all means remove the helmet visor if you have one.

RichC

Use the drops when riding into a headwind, or to lower your centre of gravity when descending. Otherwise, cruise on the brake hoods, and pootle along on the tops.

A lot of fitting techniques are applied naively. If you are a newbie rider, there is no way you can ride the bike in the same position as someone who wasted their teenage years on a bike. You would need a much more upright touring position, with your back at about 45 degrees. Ride on the hoods, and as you pass a shop window , check out the angle of your back.
You should be riding with relaxed shoulder and flexed elboys, and avoid a death grip on the bars.

I agree with all of the above. As you ride more, you can tweak your fit. You might like a more elevated stem to raise you up higher. Don't feel like you must "touch nothing" just because the shop said this is how you ought to set up on the bike. Get comfortable for yourself. You'll likely be constantly making adjustments as you progress. There is no "right or wrong" when it comes to individual comfort, IMO.

All the other responses are dead-on. I'll just add that it'll also take a while to build up your neck muscles. I'm returning to road racing after a long absence and in 5 months of training I can feel my neck is stronger.


A side note... back when I was riding regularly my neck muscles were so strong that the police "sleeper hold" (called lateral neck restraint) wouldn't work on me. During a training session I had several students, two instructors and a black belt karate guy working on me. Due to the neck muscles no one could put me under! Yet another benefit to cycling!!!

Oh yeah... I couldn't turn my head for two or three days after that session :D

Ok, thanks guys. I was under the misinformed impression that I should be in the drops for the majority of the time, I'll vary my position a lot more next ride and see how it goes!

Heck no. Ride the hoods and top bars near the stem and hear the hoods. Drops are for downhills or a fast, aerodynamic position. And there's nothing wrong with having your shifters positioned high up on the curve either. Mine are such that the words "Shimano 105" are level when I look down upon them from above. Be comfortable! Whatever works for you.