I'll give you $50 for the 1500.

You are already doing what I would suggest, switching to a taller stem. Along with the position on the bike, you were probably tensing your neck, shoulders and arms because of a little apprehension about riding a new type of bike.

I couldn't take that offer because we both know you wouldn't fit that bike. :)

Try necking?

If you start out gently, you can often work out back problems with a sturdy broom handle. There are lots of different things you can do with it, once you get going. Pay attention to how it is working the vertebra, and REMEMBER, be gentle. bk

Don;t know which is which, Cypress - whatever...
but, I have one 'word' for you - plastics...

oh, wrong one, thatz for Dustin Hoffman...

you get - POSTURE

on or off the bike...
off the bike and at the desk - you figga it out

on the bike, especially drop bars, one of the most common problems I see on riders is the 'locked' elbow position. Locking the elbows, whether in the drops or on tops puts huge strains on the neck and shoulder muscles. Whether on the tops or in the drops, try this - roll your elbows down so that the entire arm is more 'vertical' with elbows closer/more tucked towards the body. Put a slight bend in the elbows...
Many riders do the opposite, for a few reasons - poor positioning on the bike, weakness in the core muscles, stomach and back, which exaggerates the 'weakness' of the support system, which causes many to lock them arms while riding. This becomes more common as the miles/time of a ride extends and a rider gets tired. Later in rides, make a conscious effort to NOT lock the elbows.
Other things to do to improve your body balance: Work on core muscles - stronger core, stronger human - drop excess weight, we load most of the excess weight we have in the torso and up, making body support and balance even more difficult and strenuous (except Popeye).
If new to ridin drops, do it in shorter doses at first - let the muscles develop and 'train'. After a while riding drops can actually be very relaxing after some 'training'.
Make sure your saddle position behind BB is set properly! When riding in the drops, going into a slightly higher gear (harder gear) than what you spin with great comfort is a good thing. The extra force you exert to pedal actually is a good counterbalance for the lower upper body position. Try it. Get into a comfortable pedal spin while in an upright position, feel the 'strain' on your core and back muscles. Now drop your upper body a bit down and forward, feel the 'strain' again, it will be higher. Try to lift you hands off the bars - feels hard doesn't it?
Now, drop to a higher gear - do the same - note that the 'strain' on the upper body is reduced in the lower position. Lifting the hands off the bars, altough still difficult, is easier. The force and strength of the leg muscles in 'pushing' the bigger gear, counters the forward position better.
But don;t go too big in gear and bog down the cadence - there is a zen point where 'pushing' the gear, balance of the body, fluidity (aka souplesse) of pedaling and effort expended are in dynamic balance - sortta like the circus elephant balancing on the ball.
OOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM.........

Neck exercises that do not put the head into extension. Make a U with your chin 10 times slowly. Then make an X, looking from you right shoulder up to the left and then from the left shoulder up to the right. Do these to make 10 'X' s. Do these in sets 2x/day. Then push against your hand providing resistance while doing the X maneuver for 5 X maneuvers. Do these regularly and see a chiropractor if the new bike fit doesn't completely clear up the problem. If it returns the problem is usually simple, Don't put it off because these things get more complex the longer you 'live around it'.
I am a chiropractor!

Appreciate the tips. I tried a few and heard the cracking.
The following is also a good exercise:

Thanks for all the suggestions / ideas. Did a few of those neck exercises and my stiff neck is gone!

Yet another sign of the 50+ forum. Now where did I put my car keys?

Only now my head is stuck

neck bone