Originally Posted by
UpStroke
I have been battling Neck pain for a number of years now. It seems to come on when i'm on the bike for around three hours. Other days I can do a six hour ride and I feel totally normal. The last three years I did 7 days of ragbri And that was a 100% fine? I've been to the chiropractor , The physical therapist, I was on a regiment of upper body and neck workout at the gym. My bicycle is a Specialized Diverge, Which has a very upright geometry. I put an up stem on the bike, 70mm with a 17°of rise, And I've tried various adjustments. When this happens I have to stop and rest my head on my handle Bars, Ride a while then stop again And it completely fatigues me. So I dnf.
Is there anyone that you know that has beat this Condition?
Putting aside chronic issues particular to you - we all fall victim to poor posture, either induced by poor posture from the outset, or poor posture due to the onset of fatigue for what might be a 'long' ride for any of us.
Maybe check and adjust your 'posture' on the bike, especially as you get into longer ride times/lengths....
Falling into a straigtharm w/locked elbows, of the handebars, regardless of bike type; will cause shock to go directly up into the neck and shoulders; which also restricts neck flexibility and movement, and causes the assorted neck muscles to fatigue. A bend in the elbows and active lowering of the shoulders counters shock projection up the arms to the neck - being our 'shock absorbers' and at the same time frees up significantly more and easier rotation of the neck - not just in a circular axis around the cervical spine, but also in front to back flexibility. All essential for comfort on a bike. Paying attention to this thru the entire ride often means less or no pain.
Try this to see the difference between the 'blocked' straigtharm which one commonly see on many riders, vs a much more comfortable posture of dropping/drawing down the shoulder blades
while on your bike, and riding along at an easy pace. You're in your most common posture/position.
allow your arms to straighten, and allow the shoulders to shrug up towards your ears.
Bring your head/face up so you clearly see the road and everything in front of you
Note the feeling in your neck and bottom/back of your skull.
Now, bend the elbows lightly, bring the elbows to a comfortable position closer to the torso/side.
Drop your shoulders 'down', doing this actively by drawing/pulling your shoulder blades down the back.
Now, again, bring your head/face up so you clearly see the road and everything ahead.
Note that feeling...
Which is more comfortable for the neck and neck/skull connection?
strive to remember to use that whenever riding... until it becomes second nature.
Ride On
Yuri