wasn't referring to him

Got it.

Wow..big thx. this looks very helpful..

Umm, then why did you address that "A hole" comment to me?

Generally, with back pain, I would say saddle too high. I experienced that, and see others who have the saddle too high.

Speaking only for myself, when I first start ramping up my riding in the Spring, my lower back aches. It is probably because it has lost its strength in the off season. Keep at it, and the pain will probably diminish as your back gets stronger and back into shape. Doing planks and other back strengthening exercises is a good idea as well.

I don't have the straps shown in the below video; however, I do use a Standing Leg Raise machine at the gym and it's basically the same thing.





Standing Leg Raise machine

Using an inversion table (hanging upside down) has helped me immensely with lower back pain. 5 minutes every morning after running or other exercise.

I use this yoga body swing. It does what an inversion table does and much more.

I do these type exercises and stretches and dozens more. I love mine. It is incredibly versatile. I installed a couple hooks in my bedroom, but this yoga swing is easy to set up anywhere and it packs away into a very small light package.

went to my local bike guy and he noticed my seat was simply a bit too high. lowered it a bit and have done 2 rides since and the issues seem to have gone away. that possible?? definitely feels different with the lowered saddle.

Yes, very possible, and it's good to fix it before it gets bad. Ask me how I know. It can cause damage that takes a while to heal. I fixed my issue, as stated earlier in this thread, by lowering my saddle. Now I have no issues, not saddle sores, no perineum pain, no back pain, no hip pain.

Saddle is too high.

There are least half a dozen potential sources of low back pain - piriformis, bulging disc (esp l4/5, l5/s1), sacroiliac, poor core strength, weak glutes, weak hamstrings, tight hip flexors, spondylolisthesis, etc., etc., etc.) . I think it's likely that you'll get different answers depending on whom you ask, but you can test the answers.

Sure, check bike fit. But check with a couple of pros, too - MD, OD is probably better than an MD, chiropractor, Physical Therapist. Check the web, too. A few searches on lower back pain will get you lots and lots of Facebook infomercials, many of which actually make sense. The treatment is likely to be some sort of physical therapy, which will work if you find someone who knows how to fix lower back pain and won't work if you don't.

But consult some pros. A net-based pro will recommend consulting a pro IRL.

BTDT.

Funny. I was thinking the same damn thing.

Sounds good, but will my insurance cover it?

Philbob took the words right out of my keyboard. You may have some musculoskeletal disfunction that is exacerbated by poor bike fit. Good practice is to rule out what it isn't, or correct an existing defect and then look at bike fit.
Is there a professional sports team near you, or a university with a high powered athletic program? They would have top orthopedists on speed dial.
Good Luck!

I recommend ashtanga yoga

I've always been against the idea of Physical Therapy when we get an injury. Because it seems like most people do the exercises and then when all is fixed, they stop. The problem with that is that Mother Nature has us by the balls. By age 30 we start losing muscle mass, albeit very slowly, but as we continue to age that process speeds way up. The only fix is to fight back with very specific weight bearing exercises -- you know, use it or lose it. And that's how Mother Nature has us by the balls. We're like hamsters running nowhere on the wheel for food

You may feel just great today, but the pain is coming, it's a guarantee. Better to do the ounce of prevention and make it a habit now, than trying to fix it when it hits you hard later in life.

I'll back up this suggestion. If you're hunched over with handlebars a lot lower than your seat and using TT bars trying to look uber-cool like is shown in bicycle advertisements and televised pro bicycle races, its time to just say no and go with other options. Try things such as higher handlebars position (maybe even flat bars), shorter crank arms, a shorter stem, different saddle position (or a completely different saddle shape). A bike fit might work depending if you meet the fitter's requirements (clipless pedals & shoes, drop handlebars, etc.).

BTW..what's with people who have SUPER high saddles compared to their handlebars? You see this in bike shops as well as the bikes are displayed, for sale. Who rides like this??

Ostensibly, for aerodynamic advantage. But mostly, I suspect, as a fashion statement.

Personally, I’d start with a chiropractor. I’ve always had the impression that Medical Doctors, spend time to do test, suggest medication, physical therapy and possibly surgery, and with my experience and limited knowledge most pain relief seems to come from alignment correction.

my impression of chiropractic care is it’s joint adjustment which to me equates to to an aggressive and immediate physical therapy, in which I tend to get immediate relief. I have nothing against medical doctors BTW.

Many pro bike fitters say that more than half to two-thirds of their clients show up with a saddle that's too high.

Maybe you are leaning too far to the right.

Same for me. I rarely ride more than an hour or so on the trainer, so when spring hits, my back notices the first couple of 2+ hour rides I do. But, it adapts quickly and then I'm fine.