Upper back and neck pain.

I think I answered my own question.

I took my bike in for a tune up etc...and the owner of the shop said my seat was angled down which meant I am probably sliding forward and putting all my weight on my triceps and shoulders....

If I put my saddle parallel to the ground or even tilted up one notch it could mean better weight distribution

similar thing happen to me, I would have never guess that is the issue
thanks 4 sharinf

Was your bike fitted properly when you got it? unless you have an injury you shouldn't be getting sore from such a short ride.

Also don't tilt your saddle forward, that will put more strain on your arms and shoulders and aint gonna help your neck pain.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by baker3
Was your bike fitted properly when you got it? unless you have an injury you shouldn't be getting sore from such a short ride.

Also don't tilt your saddle forward, that will put more strain on your arms and shoulders and aint gonna help your neck pain.

Yes, it was fitted. But DID tilt the seat down and I think that is most of the issue. My man parts were getting crushed so that is why I put it down.....and in my recent research I see that tilting it UP and moving it forward so my bum is on the seat (not my cranberries) should do the trick

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by breadbasket1
Yes, it was fitted. But DID tilt the seat down and I think that is most of the issue. My man parts were getting crushed so that is why I put it down.....and in my recent research I see that tilting it UP and moving it forward so my bum is on the seat (not my cranberries) should do the trick

Try using a spirit level to to get it dead level if you can't do it by eye, if you have a smart phone and no tools there are plenty of apps. I wouldn't tilt the seat up or down, both have nasty consequences for either your shoulders or your manhood. If you find the right saddle that suits you, you should be able to sit on it for 5 or 6 hours at a time without any problems.

Thanks. I do have a level we just bought.

cant wait to get my bike back from the shop.

So its been a few weeks and I STILL have this horrible neck and upper back/shoulder pain.

I went to a bike shop and the owner said my seat was way too high. He re-fitted me. He moved my seat.

Still the pain is there....it just takes longer to feel. Now when I hit 20 miles I am okay....but 28-30 it is killing me and I have to stop and stretch.

Could it be that I am tilting my head up too high so I can enjoy the scenery?

I saw a youtube.com video and it said you should only be looking ahead enough to avoid potholes. The guys head was looking down basically.

I wear glasses and cannot wear contact. If I tilt me head down too much I have to look over the top rim of my glasses and I cannot see because I am near sited.

I am stressing over this because I love riding so much.

Personally I feel like my bike is too small for me so I have to reach down too much to get the handlebars.

I am 5'7" with very short legs but normal arms.

I have the same problem...15k into a ride I can feel my back muscles and neck tighten...puts pressure on my neck and I get dizzy and nauseated, have to stop and stretch...then I can go again. I have been to the Dr. with x-rays etc., I am fit, a bit overweight but no cardiac or health issues. Seems to get worse if there is a hill climb prior to the 15-20k mark. This problem is clock work...I think I am ok, not starting out fast...and boom!! Getting frustrating as in group rides I am dropped from folks I can keep up with...I have had soft tissue injury and I am getting physio, chiropractic and massage to try to relax the area but this is slow. I have not had a professional fit...but looks like a good idea. How are you making out since your last post. Any hints. Does anyone know of anyone else with similiar difficulties?

I am the OP. I have made a HUGE improvement in this area. I will tell what I have done but must say EVERYONE has different issues.

1. I was pinching my shoulders up into my neck. So I consciously lower and flatten my shoulders by bringing down my elbows so that are almost parallel to the road. This cut the neck pain by 75%

2. I have been experimenting with bike fit and think I found my sweet spot. My seat is lower that I had it so therefore I am putting more weight on my butt and legs instead of "holding myself up" with my arms/triceps and shoulders.

3. I have put A LOT more miles in. I am up to 30 miles per ride and often hit 40 and 42....so maybe my body is just adapting.

4. I don't look up at the scenery as much. I keep my neck/head down and only look a few feet in front of me. I still take in the beauty of the hills and cornfield but just for a second.

5. I have also stopped and stretched usually at the top of a mountain/hill before I go back down.

The combination of all these has helped.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by breadbasket1
I am the OP. I have made a HUGE improvement in this area. I will tell what I have done but must say EVERYONE has different issues.

1. I was pinching my shoulders up into my neck. So I consciously lower and flatten my shoulders by bringing down my elbows so that are almost parallel to the road. This cut the neck pain by 75%

?

Do you mean that your forearms are almost parallel to the road?

Check your seat, it's most likely at a strange angle. This used to be my problem, until google became a thing.

JunkyPenguin said:

Check your seat, it's most likely at a strange angle. This used to be my problem, until google became a thing.

Now I feel stupid. I just say your post about how you solved your problem. Oh well!

I've been in situations where an experience pain like that and that simply having to do with not holding your neck in the proper position and the weight of a helmet actually could cause this pain as well. the unfortunate side effect of being safe

I believe cross training can definitely help you. There is no other way to think about it. Criss training does miracle on a person.

It might help to also raid the handle bars s bit so you can see better. The angle you describe your head and neck at is definitely going to leave your back and neck in a huge knot. If you've been riding like this for a long time your body may have difficulty releasing the tension in those muscles. Getting a massage can really help with that. Once you get loosened up and get your bike adjusted so your posture is better the pain shouldn't be coming back.

I really think you need your seat adjusted. Are your handlebars really that low? Do you have a pic of your bike you can share?

I have the same type of issue as you. I've never gotten it diagnosed, but it's pretty clearly tendonitis. It's fine as long as I'm riding regularly. I am getting physio, chiropractic and massage to try to relax the area of pain. I know it takes lot of time but atlast i feels much better to do this. So don't bend more when you ride. Set your seat in right posture and ride in staight back, don't bend it more.

I've been trying to use some of those thermacare heating pads when I get the neck pain. It works pretty well, too.

As you've already stated, I could be positioning of your ride and the constant strain of hold your shoulders and neck in the position. You could look at possibly getting a massage therapist to work on the area and get the blood flowing again. I have knots on my trapezoids area, and I constantly need someone to work on it. You could also start a training regiment that would strengthen that area in question.