Poohblah

Hi guys,
I'm new to road cycling and I've put less than 100 miles on my new bike (of course it would be more if it weren't so darn cold and dark outside ). I haven't been able to find time or cooperative weather for more than half-hour, 10mi or less rides, but even in those short jaunts, I've noticed a couple things: first, after spending 5 minutes in the drops, my lower back starts to get pretty tired; and second, though I don't notice it during a ride, after I get off the bike, my abdominal muscles are sometimes quite sore. I was simply wondering if these two things are normal for a new roadie or if I have a fit or riding technique issue. I couldn't find my answer on a google search. Most search results I found simply said that cycling doesn't work the abs and that was about it.
Thanks

coasting 

It is normal and, for me, that ache in the back comes back if I stop riding for a prolonged period like over winter. When I get back to it, it hurts. That goes for my bum pain too. All the aches and pains should go away after a few rides, unless there is fit issues.

TrojanHorse

Do exercises to strengthen your core (which will help with a lot of things, not just bike related)

Have somebody check your fit on your bike.

flashpoint145

As others have said, the most common cause, secondary to a bike fit, is lack of muscular/flexibility development.

Hit the weights and start stretching.

Poohblah

Thanks guys for the help. I've got a pretty decent core and good flexibility, which comes from my other hobby, rock climbing. However I suspect that cycling uses different core muscles groups than climbing - I usually use my obliques a lot to climb, for instance, but I'm feeling the soreness right in the middle of my core.

The LBS gave me a quick fit check when I got the bike. It feels pretty comfortable to me in all positions; the soreness really only comes when I ride in the drops continuously.

BamaBulldawg

These back stretches seemed to help me, I do them every time before I ride.
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/LB00001_D

aztimm

A, "quick fit," is certainly better than nothing, and fine to get started. But I'd recommend a thorough fitting.

At the same time, I'd follow what the others have suggested, work on abs, back exercises + stretching.

Machka 

+1

And don't ride in the drops continuously. Why do you feel you need to do that?

Poohblah

It simply seems a little more efficient when I'm going 25+ mph on level/downhilll roads.

So far I haven't had any further back/ab/torso issues. They've faded since my first few rides, and I'm riding for longer too.

If I could afford a $175 fit from the LBS I would totally do that. My bike did not, unfortunately, come with a free comprehensive fit.

Machka 

But it is not efficient if it causes you pain.

However, it sounds like your problem has resolved itself ... just a matter of putting in the saddle time.

hyhuu

It doesn't sound like you are truthly comfortable in all positions. I too came from rock climbing background and picked up cycling less than 2 years ago and I experienced no soreness in the abdominal. In fact, for my body my most comfortable is in the drop but my neck doesn't like it as much.