Long Bike Rides=Tension Headaches

[bikebum202]

Question...folks after long bike rides 40-50 miles and arriving home I get some bad tension headaches and muscle tightness in then neck...any suggestions on how to help this? thanks

[ultraman6970]

I have never understood too well how people can ride so long distances in a rando position. That said...

Core problem.

Stem too low problem.

Saddle in the wrong position problem.

Awefully bad saddle.

W/o seeing the bike is hard to say what can be wrong, advice you to post a picture of the bike and one riding the bike will help even more.

[znomit]

I get headaches when I'm dehydrated.

[bikebum202]

My bike has been professionally fitted and its a new specialized roubaix... so you would you recommend another fitting?

[lazerzxr]

headache = dehydration

[kstephens]

I get headaches when I'm dehydrated.

Same here - I really have to focus on drinking plenty of liquids this time of year. It is not so hot where you are constantly thirsty, like when you ride in heat of the summer.

[Terex]

Many people who are upping their mileage a lot have neck problems. Ask the person who fitted you and see if they have any advice. Do you ride a lot? What bike were you riding previously? Seriously, too many variables.

[adriano]

yes, do your own fitting.

[rumrunn6]

got one yesterday on my 1st ride of the season. only 44 miles and I drank 2 water bottles and I'll admit a muscle milk during the ride. 3 hours in the saddle I wonder if I had enough fluids. anyway I drank more when I got home incl coffee and a couple Excedrin.

hmmm maybe it was the hard ised tea I had while soaking in the tub. alcohol can give me a headache

[Machka]

Question...folks after long bike rides 40-50 miles and arriving home I get some bad tension headaches and muscle tightness in then neck...any suggestions on how to help this? thanks

1. Dehydration.

2. Bicycle setup.

3. Flu.

But you've got to fill us in on a few more details.

[mileslong]

Try stretching your hamstrings and glutes and hips. Repetitive motions tend to shorten muscles and can create imbalances that your body will try to correct by pulling from other directions. My osteopath taught me to stretch my hamstrings, quads and hip flexors -especially the left leg&hip - when the right side of my forehead is in tension. Trunk rotations, shoulder stretches and hanging on an inversion table help too. My headaches will usually disappear after a good full stretch.

[Bianchigirll]

I agree on the headache being caused by a mild dehydration but the neck could be a few things including the dehydration.

are you coming bck after a winter layoff or maybe a for years off? you neck muscles are just like you bum muscle it needs to get used to being used that way.

I also agree with the pro fit/personal fit. Just because the pro says your but should be 12 inches higher than your hands does not mean it has to be. I used to ride like that back in the day but lately (after a layoff of several years and pounds) my saddle and bars are about even. So perhaps you need have the bars raised a bit and lower them as the season progresses.

Are you one of those people who ride with a deathgrip on the brifters? Do you move your hands around on the bars? Personally other than dealig with traffic I don't see how anyone can come back from a 50 mile or any bike ride for that matter tense.

[big chainring]

For me it helps to dismount at about 10 mile intervals, stretch and skake out the legs. Just give your muscles a break. Even at a stop light while you are waiting, 10-15 seconds of off the bike standing, bend over touch your toes, a couple torso twists, helps a lot.

[Nachoman]

Question...folks after long bike rides 40-50 miles and arriving home I get some bad tension headaches and muscle tightness in then neck...any suggestions on how to help this? thanks

In addition to what others have suggested, pop a couple aspirin or advil before the ride.

[ChucklesKY]

Weird. Riding usually relieves me of my tension headache.

[Banded Krait]

So many possible reasons. The previous posts have highlighted some of them. Here are a few more:

• Any changes regarding your helmet recently?
• Were you riding in bright sunlight? Did you have your sunglasses with you?
• How's your eyesight? Have you had your vision checked recently?

[krazygl00]

I used to get some head/neck pain sometimes if my helmet straps were too tight or not adjusted right. I always wear a cycling hat under my helmet (I sunburn too easily through the vents on on my forehead), and I used to use a Scattante Spyder (AKA BBB helmet) and the retention system would dig into the back of my neck and, in conjunction with the elastic from the cycling cap, cause some neck pain and a headache sensation. I'm using a Giro Prolight now and the problem has gone away, but this could be something to be aware of.

[echotraveler]

ride more... the first times i rode more then 40 miles my body felt bad...sort of feverish.

i concur seems you have dehydration...nutrition is very important.

[Commodus]

If it really is a tension headache related to tightness in your neck, I second the opinion of another poster to raise your bars. Lower them gradually over time as your body gets used to being in that position.

You can do various exercises to speed things up.