balto charlie...for my BRP trip, I took Tylenol Arthitis Pain formula caplets twice a day as a preventative measure, since sometimes my lower back bothers me. I was pain free the whole trip. The caplets are 650mg, and the first layer is a normal quick dissolve, and the second layer is time release. I got a giant bottle of it at Costco very cheap.
If you neck was bothering you I bet adjusting your position to more upright on long rides would help alleviate that as well.
I think I ate too much on my BRP trip as my gut seemed to widen out towards the end of the trip. I actually came back heavier than when I started, although within a week of my return I was 5 lbs. lighter than before the trip. I think I was trying too aggressively to replace all the calories I was burning. Nex time I will just try and eat normal.