I've got a bunch of 80 mile rides under my belt and plan to go for 100 when I find an safe way to add that last 20 onto my favorite long-distance route. I seemed to have figured out the nutrition thing so that I feel like I still have more than enough energy to keep riding after 80 miles. I also have some B-17's on my bikes that are so comfortable that I no longer wear padded shorts and don't have any pain issues during, or after, my rides.

My problem is my neck. I've raised the bars on my cross bike as high as they will go- which is still a little bit below saddle height. I ride with my elbows bent, try to move my hands around on the bars, don't ride with a death grip, stretch my neck out when I ride, and even take my helmet off completely on car-free sections to relieve pressure. I still have issues with neck pain and am running out of ideas. I find that my cross bike is much more comfortable than my last road bike (cannondale R1000) due to it's more upright nature. I had the last bike fitted at a local shop and while they did put me in a classic racer position, I didn't find it anywhere near as comfortable as my current bike.

So, what's a rider to do? Do I just keep raising my bars, buying longer stems, and stacking spacers on my steering tube until I'm completely upright? Or, should I just put more miles in on my bike and hope for the best? I've read in some of the threads on here that there are neck exercises that bikers can do to help out with this, but I have yet to find any specific recommendations, or directions, on what these are- or how to perform them?

I did injure my neck about 4 years ago playing underwater hockey and have been to the doctor and chiropractor about it. The Doctor told me to find a new sport- which I did- and the chiropractor worked on me once or twice a week over a 2 month period. Things seem to be better, but long bike rides make me think about going back for some more adjustments.

Looking for any ideas that I haven't tried already.

Jon