General Cycling Discussion - Does anyone get back pain after longish rides?

Hey, yesterday i went for a 15 mile ride through the city. However afterwards, my back has been killing me, specifically my lower back. Could it be something wrong with my posture, or my seat?

Probably, but its hard to analyse a position without a pic, and even then its hard.
Just for starters, do you feel stretched out. How much lower are your bars compared to your saddle. Do you ride with your elbows flexed and shoulders relaxed. What angle is your back, is it straight or bent.
One which is very difficult to deal with, is the rotation of your hips; many riders are rotated too far back, and need to tuck their tailbone in a little to open up the spine.
Post a pic if you can, a sideways and a head-on view.
In the meantime, check out
www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

Sometimes. But thats because my bike really isn't designed for long rides. Its my own fault but fit is what causes discomfort on longer rides.

How long have you been cycling? The reason I ask is that when I first started riding I used to get a dull ache in my lower back, usually after 20 miles. I thought, like you, that it could of been bad posture, but it just turned out I needed more saddle time. Don't get me wrong, it may be that you have to change the set-up of your bike, like MichaelW suggests, its just if your new to cycling then it maybe that your body just needs to adjust to the activity.

Anyway I hope you work it out, Portent.

If I recall correctly (well there's a challenge)
you are fairly new to road riding (or something similiar?)
so I'm betting its just getting your muscles used to being
on the bike.
Other than just giving it time (you'll get used to it)
I'd suggest abdominal exercises to help stabilize your back.

Marty

I used to have back pain on long rides of 2+ hours. Didnt matter if it was on an MTB or road, my back would be screaming. Saddle time and strenth will help it go away. You can help by stretching your hamstrings really well b/4 you ride. Crunches will help the most though. The more strenth you gain in your abs the less your lower back will hurt.

If the bike is what's causing it these things will still help but, not totally.

And then of couse., there's always a recumbent :)

Originally posted by Dahon.Steve
And then of couse., there's always a recumbent :)

A recumbent will definately solve your back problems (although I must admit it may be harder on your knees).

I used to get back aches on my mountain bike years ago when I started going on longish rides and was not used to it (especially going up hill). But the problem disappeared as I got more used to cycling.

I get back pain and neck pain, I have a bit of a problem with my vertebra from an injury. I'd suggest seeing a physio. They may tell you what to do and give you some exercises. Definitely do some stretches for your back, neck and hamstrings, and stop every so often to stretch out.

I used to get lower back pain on centuries. I've since solved that little problem. It may be that your handlebars are too low.

I get some back pain when I ride over about 75 miles or so. I stretch as much as poss, but I think it's just the hip rotation as Michael says.

To be honest as long as it's just when I cycle over 75 miles it's not so much of a problem as my normal daily touring distance is no more than 70 or so. If I want to go further I just have a long luch break.

My major problem is pulling a muscle in my right shoulder blade (I think from looking over my shoulder when riding) on long runs too.

I didn't commute today in an effort to help it heal.