1) I have been having a hard time with pain in my neck muscles and a bit in my shoulders over the last few rides. It drives me absolutely crazy when I start feeling the pain and it's really affecting my ability to ride hard. It usually kicks in at about 40-50 miles. I have tried sitting up, no hands, for a few minutes but some days with the wind it's tough to do. My setup has not changed at all over the last year. The rest of my form is fine.
I'm wanting to know what type of exercises off the bike that anyone can recommend to combat this. At this point, it seems to be my only option; build up my neck and shoulder muscles more to help endure long rides.
2) Over the last few rides, I have been getting very blurry eyed at around the same mileage. My left eye is worse than the right. It will end up becoming a bit bloodshot on the inner corner. I'm wondering what causes this and if it might be related to my neck and shoulder issues. Could there be some nutrient that I'm lacking? I'm usually very good about eating and drinking on rides. I go through one bottle of Cytomax every 1.5 hours of riding regardless of how fast or slow I ride. I always eat one gel and hour and I eat every chance I get (mostly bananas and Clif Bars). It is worse when I average a higher heart rate over a long ride (60+ miles).
Any ideas on either question would be highly appreciated.
The eye thing seems weird enough that the first thing I would recommend is to see a doctor.
As for the neck: here are some things that can help: 1) Ride with (slightly) bent arms. This is the #1 key thing. You need some shock absorption for your neck/head from the bigger bumps and straight arms will transfer the bumps right through. One large jarring impact per ride is enough to cause major neck trouble. 2) If your helmet has a visor, remove it. 3) If you've just recently increased your mileage, be patient. Your neck will adjust to it.
The shoulder and neck pain could quite likely be the result of improper positioning on the bike. See a bike fitter. Strengthening shoulders and neck will probably give a larger sore neck and shoulders.
The eye thing seems weird enough that the first thing I would recommend is to see a doctor.
As for the neck: here are some things that can help: 1) Ride with (slightly) bent arms. This is the #1 key thing. You need some shock absorption for your neck/head from the bigger bumps and straight arms will transfer the bumps right through. One large jarring impact per ride is enough to cause major neck trouble. 2) If your helmet has a visor, remove it. 3) If you've just recently increased your mileage, be patient. Your neck will adjust to it.
#2 - you're riding with glasses/lenses of some kind, right? They are highly recommended even on cloudy days to keep the wind from drying out your eyes (which can in blurred vision and itchy, bloodshot eyes).
With respect to neck pain, it can be caused by a bad position on the bike; weak back, neck, and stomach muscles; increasing mileage too quickly (this is really a back, neck, and muscle strength issue); or an untoward change in your neck. Also keep this in mind: finding a good fit on a bike doesn't mean that fit will always be good. There can be changes because of age or injury that make getting fit again a necessity. Bike fit is pretty much an always evolving thing, even if that evolution is very slow.
As for eye issues, you really need to see a doc. Developing a single blood shot eye is not a normal thing. At the same time, you discuss your neck issues with the doctor.
1) A solid bike fit by a professional should take care of that (maybe). Also, your bike setup might be the same, but you'd be surprised in how much your position and/or even your body could've changed even in a year. A ton of variables go into that problem. You mean you don't have your own personal masseuse ? 🙂
2) You are wearing glasses already right ? Any allergies you know of ? A doctor is the right move.
