Lower Back Pain! (roadie content)

[ady]

Went out for a short but hilly roadie ride today and suffered badly from lower back pain, the pain is to my lower left side and its so painful it takes all my concentration away from putting my energy into my riding and climbing, and end up exhausted. I have been working on my lower back strength and have occasional got the same pain on my mountain bike. During todays ride I stopped to adjust my handlebars & saddle position which helped slightly, its really bugging me why I am getting pain so early on in a ride, I used to get near the end of a long ride, now more or less straight away, I also prefer resting on the brake levers and top of the bars as its more comfy, when I am crouched with my hands on the curves on the bars my neck is straining, so I am thinking my position must be all wrong. I am hoping thats the case as that can be fixed.

[S3dINS (AKA Nik)]

Sorry if I offend bud but it might just be age. I couldn't ride in that position, it would ruin me.

Have you had a back injury in the past?

[ady]

Not had any back trouble in the past, been off the roadie all winter & spring so only the 2nd time out on it! Age How Very Dare You.

[thistle]

Did you have a bag on your back or did you carry kit on the bike or pockets?

I get back ache if I'm riding with rucksack for a long time.

Maybe it was all the potholes....

[oldgit]

Most; if not all; roadies ride on the hoods and only go on the drops if racing. It is probably you are stretching out a little on the drops; ride the hood or centre of bars(especially when climbing). Only the pros climb on the drops when attacking.

[ady]

I have an air canister and inner tube and tyre levers in a puch in my jersey pocket along with a mobile phone.

I was riding resting on the hoods and centre of the bars only go onto the drops when desending so I have greater pull on the brakes.

[oldgit]

Seems like your body is objecting to roadie position after so long sitting upright on an mtb; the moreyou do the better it becomes. Persistance is the word. I can't descend on the drops but I can brake ok if and when I need too; had the same blocks for 10 years and I've descended Alpine passes with them only feather them

[ady]

Apr 5, 2010 12:59:58 GMT oldgit said:

Seems like your body is objecting to roadie position after so long sitting upright on an mtb;

I'm hoping thats the case Thanks for the input!

[missymaverick]

Apr 5, 2010 14:41:23 GMT ady said:

Apr 5, 2010 12:59:58 GMT oldgit said:

Seems like your body is objecting to roadie position after so long sitting upright on an mtb;

I'd agree with this aswell, you've just lost your 'roadie stiffback'.

You move your upper body all over the place when you ride your mountain bike, but it stays almost still when you're on the road.

I find abit of back stretching and moving my position on the handlebars (ie from the hoods to the centre) during the ride helps. Also, try and keep your back flat instead of curving it.

A good saddle (ie one that you can sit on properly and fully supports you) will also help.

[ady]

Apr 6, 2010 17:17:53 GMT missymaverick said:

Apr 5, 2010 14:41:23 GMT ady said:

Apr 5, 2010 12:59:58 GMT oldgit said:

Seems like your body is objecting to roadie position after so long sitting upright on an mtb;

I'd agree with this aswell, you've just lost your 'roadie stiffback'.

You move your upper body all over the place when you ride your mountain bike, but it stays almost still when you're on the road.

I find abit of back stretching and moving my position on the handlebars (ie from the hoods to the centre) during the ride helps. Also, try and keep your back flat instead of curving it.

A good saddle (ie one that you can sit on properly and fully supports you) will also help.

Thanks, I did another ride yesterday and instead of going straight into a climb I went along the flat for a bit first, although into a bloody strong head wind ( it was rather windy yesterday) The back was still sore but only for the last half of the ride and not as bad.